 Building an Inclusive Workforce
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM is observed to raise awareness about the employment needs and contributions of individuals with disabilities. The purpose of NDEAM is to celebrate the value and talent that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace and to promote inclusive employment practices. It aims to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to good jobs and opportunities, fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce. At SSB, we work alongside our customers to determine which services, skills, and training they need to achieve their career goals. Together, we develop a plan of action to help them reach their employment objectives. While NDEAM is celebrated in October, SSB’s Workforce Development team is dedicated to this mission throughout the entire year.
SSB Awarded $9.1 Million Grant to Support Employment
State Services for the Blind is pleased to announce that the Rehabilitation Services Administration awarded our agency a grant to support a 5-year initiative titled Evolve Employment to tackle unemployment and under employment for blind, DeafBlind and low vision Minnesotans. The grant will also support employers by ensuring that blind, DeafBlind, and low vision employees have the resources needed to succeed.
With the grant funding, the Evolve Employment program will deliver specialized career services to both individuals and businesses. It will support businesses in the Customer Service and Technology sectors to provide retention services and foster career development opportunities. Evolve Employment will also offer enhanced progressive employment, assistive technology, benefits counseling, and sector partnerships to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed and New American job seekers.
"The fact is that unemployment and under-employment rates for the people we serve have been way too high for far too long," said SSB Director Natasha Jerde. "This is a bold new initiative to rally our resources and improve employment outcomes for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind Minnesotans."
Evolve Employment’s goal is to serve at least 800 individuals including Minnesotans who recently experienced vision loss, have been unemployed for an extended period of time, or are New Americans. Additionally, the plan is to connect with 500 businesses across the state over the next five years. The first phase of Evolve Employment will be dedicated to staffing and preparing our training and delivery models. Stay tuned for updates as they happen.
Voting: Know Your Rights - Polling Place Accessibility
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th. In Minnesota, early absentee voting has already begun. Federal and state laws require that all polling places be accessible and usable by elderly voters or voters with disabilities. With the 2024 election season upon us, take time in advance to know your rights when it comes to accessibility at your polling place. Click here to see the minimum accessibility requirements in Minnesota.
Here are some other helpful voting links from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office:
Click here to register to vote.
Click here to check your registration.
Click here to view a sample ballot for your precinct.
Click here to find your polling place.
Discussion Panel on Voting Accessibility
Come join a discussion panel on voting accessibility hosted by The ARC Minnesota and the Basilica of St. Mary Access and Inclusion Ministry. Panelists include members of the Disability Law Center, Hennepin County Voter Outreach and Engagement Team, The ARC Minnesota, and Disability Hub Minnesota. A presentation of an accessible voting booth will be included followed by what is sure to be a lively and informative conversation.
Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Basilica of Saint Mary - 600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Accessible parking available in the Cowley parking lot off 16th Street.
Many Faces of BARD - NLS BARD on the Smart Speaker
The topic for the Thursday, October 10, 2024, Many Faces of BARD program will be NLS BARD on the Smart Speaker. The program will start with a discussion of the use of BARD on the Alexa device and will include a demonstration. The presentation will conclude with questions about the presentation or anything else relating to BARD.
Date: Thursday, October 10
Time: 6:00 pm central time
Location: Zoom https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1608139852?pwd=mktSe41nRXVbqzT0WzRnZKd3DOZYPY.1
White Cane Awareness Day - October 15
White Cane Awareness Day was established nationally in 1964 to raise awareness for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. For blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that assists in the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It allows blind and low vision walkers to move freely and safely from place to place—whether it's at work, at school, or around our neighborhoods.
Come join members of SSB’s Youth Services team as they celebrate White Cane Awareness Day at Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester.
Date: Tuesday, October 15th
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Quarry Hill Nature Center – 701 Silver Creek Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906
Click this link to register.
Vaccination Clinic – Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living is hosting a vaccination clinic on October 15th. Both the flu and COVID vaccinations will be available. Registration is required.
Date: Tuesday, October 15th
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 309 West 1st Street, Duluth 55802
Contact Felicia at: 218-624-4828 to register.
Mind, Body, & Soul Webinar – October 21st
In this month’s Mind, Body, & Soul session, the conversation topic is “Initiatives that Create Equitable, Accessible Pathways to Education for Communities.”
The “Mind, Body and Soul - Convening the Black Community” is a series of work sessions hosted by Senior Advisor to the Governor’s Office, interim Chief Equity Officer Ashley Oolman. Mind, Body, and Soul Convening connects key leaders of the African American community to discuss priority issues with Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and Commissioners and leaders of key state agencies. These sessions are committed to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that Black Minnesotans and Communities of Color face.
Minnesota State Agencies will provide a high-level overview of the work. Each session includes rounds of small-group discussion where leaders – including Governor advisors and commissioners – participate as listeners. The feedback received help shape budget proposals and policies focused on addressing disparate outcomes or innovation policy ideas in our state.
Date: Monday, October 21st
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: On-line
Click here to register.
Looking for Participants – MnDOT Workshop Oct. 22nd
MnDOT’s Office of Transit and Active Transportation is working on a project in which they are developing best practices for bicycle facility design – especially when it comes to trails and bike paths that are not in the street, but are instead adjacent to the sidewalk. MnDOT is interested in hearing from blind and low vision pedestrians about their experiences navigating streets and sidewalks near these types of bike facilities. To help facilitate this, MnDOT is hosting an in-person workshop with blind and low vision pedestrians to visit these types of facilities in the Twin Cities, see how people navigate them, and solicit feedback from participants.
Workshop Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 (backup rain date set for October 23, 2024)
- Time: 10 am – 4 pm
- Starting & ending location: 111 Washington Ave S UNIT 650, Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Compensation: $50/hour for each participant
- Lunch is provided for participants
- Transportation is provided from the starting meeting location to each site and back to the starting location. Participants may be requested to specify their transportation accessibility accommodations to ensure an appropriate vehicle is available.
For more information and if you would like to participate in the workshop, contact:
Cody Christianson
Cody.christianson@bolton-menk.com
(701) 566-5339 ext. 3496
Webinar: Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Join Disability: IN’s webinar as they explore key barriers to disability inclusion in the legal profession and examine how law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and law schools can help address these disparities.
Date: Tuesday, October 22nd
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Location: On-line
Click here for information and registration.
Open House & Ribbon Cutting – Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Everyone is welcome to join Lighthouse Center for Vital Living as they celebrate their new downtown Duluth location with an open house and ribbon cutting.
Date: Monday, October 28th
Time: 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: 309 West 1st Street, Duluth 55802
Employer Webinar - Unlocking Inclusivity
Learn more about the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) where small to mid-sized Minnesota businesses can request reimbursements for up to $30,000 in expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities.
It’s simple, it’s easy, and it connects great workers with great businesses. Join for an engaging and inspiring webinar exploring the power of workplace inclusivity.
Date: Tuesday, October 29th
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: On-line
Registration required. Click here to register and learn more.
Register Now for the NFB MN Annual Conference
The National Federation of the Blind Minnesota chapter is hosting their annual state convention on November 1-3. Each year’s convention is an opportunity for the blind of our state to come together to celebrate successes, plan for the future, educate ourselves and others, and strengthen the bonds of friendship. During this conference, presenters and participants will share public services and other resources for the blind, exchange ideas, and formulate plans and policies for the coming year. As part of the conference, SSB will be conducting a town hall meeting on Friday, November 1st at 5:00 pm.
Dates: November 1-3
Location: DoubleTree Saint Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave, St Paul, MN 55119
Click here for conference and registration information.
Metro Transit’s Network Now Seeking Public Comment
Metro Transit is seeking your feedback on Network Now, a plan designed to grow ridership, expand job access, and better meet the region’s changing mobility needs. Does Metro Transit offer services when and where you or your community needs to travel? How likely would you be to use transit if the planned changes are implemented? Now is the time to let them know. All investments in improving Metro Transit's service through 2027 will be identified in this plan.
Metro Transit invites you to share information during this comment period and join in upcoming events with your networks. In addition to Metro Transit hosted meetings, they would also be happy to meet with your group and discuss the plan should you be interested.
The proposed plan:
- Expands service in the network by more than 35%.
- Improves mobility by increasing frequency and expanding micro-transit service.
- Redesigns express and commuter services, which includes discontinuing some currently suspended routes.
Click this link to learn more about the concept plan, submit your comments and see the schedule of in-person or virtual event this fall. Last day to comment is November 15th.
Take the 2025 Legislative Survey
Your feedback is needed! Each year, the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) develops a policy agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Input from the public determines what goes into that agenda.
If you would like to suggest policy ideas for MCD to consider for the 2025 Policy Agenda, please fill out the survey. Your thoughts and suggestions are valuable in shaping policies that affect the disability community in Minnesota. Have your voice heard!
Take the 2025 MCD Legislative Survey.
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