 Expressing Gratitude
November is a month where we celebrate the spirit of gratitude, heritage, and generosity. As we honor Native American Heritage Month, let's recognize the rich history and cultural contributions of Indigenous peoples. With World Kindness Day and Veterans Day on the horizon, we reflect on acts of compassion and bravery that define our communities. November also brings us Give to the Max Day, an opportunity to support local causes close to our hearts, and, of course, Thanksgiving—a time to gather, give thanks, and share in the warmth of togetherness. At SSB, we are grateful for everyone who helps spread our mission to facilitate the achievement of vocational and personal independence by Minnesotans who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind. That includes each of you - our customers, community partners, volunteers, and advocates. Join us in embracing this month of reflection, kindness, and giving.
SSB Department Spotlight – Engineering
This month, we highlight SSB’s Engineering Department. This group of talented employees and volunteers works behind the scenes at SSB to keep operations running smoothly for all of us. The Engineering Department at SSB provides operational and technical services to customers, volunteers, and employees of State Services for the Blind (SSB). Engineering services include installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment including: studio and recording equipment, digital book playback equipment, braille e-readers, and SSB conference room meeting equipment. The engineering team maintains equipment inventory, trains others on usage and upkeep of the equipment, and creates and uploads digital duplication for our customers. Additionally, they prepare and place SSB-recorded books on BARD from the National Library Service (NLS).
The Engineering Department also handles the creation, maintenance, and distribution of the Alexa Skills and smartphone apps used by the Radio Talking Book. SSB's engineering team oversees all the local content on NFB Newsline.
The unit has a Supervisor, a Chief Engineer, an Electronic System Specialist, an Electronic Technician Senior, plus two volunteers who repair digital talking book players. Department Supervisor, Dave Andrews states “As Supervisor of the Engineering Unit, I am impressed daily with the knowledge, commitment, and professionalism of the team. If they don’t know about something – and they know a lot, they will learn about it. We have a father and son team of volunteers who repair digital talking book machines for us. Al and Curtis do great work and are always willing to learn about new developments from NLS. We couldn’t do it without their efforts!”
If you have a knack for electronic equipment and would like to lend your talents as a volunteer, click here for more information.
November is Native American Heritage Month
Starting in 2022, Governor Walz proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month, providing an opportunity to pause, recognize and honor the history, culture, and contributions of Minnesota’s Native Peoples.
The name Minnesota is derived from the Dakota phrase Mni Sota Makoce, “Land Where the Waters Reflect the Clouds.” Mni Sota Makoce is home to 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations whose respective Tribal Enterprises are major employers – contributing to the economic prosperity of their regional economies.
For many, being together in community whether it be small or large gatherings is the best way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. There are several events across the state for you to experience and learn more. Click here for a listing of events and locations.
SSB Closed for Veterans Day – Monday, Nov. 11
State Services for the Blind along with all Minnesota state offices and federal agencies will be closed on November 11th in celebration of Veteran’s Day.
What is Veterans Day? Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day. It is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually in November, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It began, and now coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are commemorated in other countries, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1954, at the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day.
How can we celebrate Veterans Day? From concerts, to banquets, to career fairs, there are many events held on Veterans Day all across Minnesota. Click here and here to find a celebration in your area.
Honoring Military Families
In the spirit of Veterans Day, November is also marked as Military Family Month in Minnesota. This November, we join the Department of Defense and the rest of the nation to celebrate the theme “Taking Care of Our Military Families.” As a nation, we pause to reflect on the progress we’ve made and reaffirm our commitment to creating policy solutions and programming that empower military families to thrive, now and in the future.
Click here to read Governor Walz's proclamation. Click here for information on events and how to get involved with Minnesota's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network.
World Kindness Day – Wednesday, Nov. 13th
World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually in November as part of the World Kindness Movement. It is observed in many countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the U.A.E. World Kindness Day presents us with the opportunity to reflect upon one of the most important and unifying human principles. On a day devoted to the positive potential of both large and small acts of kindness, try to promote and diffuse this crucial quality that brings all people together.
Click here for a link to more information on World Kindness Day.
Many Faces of BARD – Thursday, Nov. 14th
The topic for the Thursday, November 14, 2024, Many Faces of BARD program will be Using BARD on the HIMS SensePlayer. The program will begin with a presentation by Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager at Perkins Library. After the presentation, organizers will entertain questions about the presentation or anything else relating to BARD.
Date: Thursday, November 14th
Time: 6:00 pm central time
Location: Zoom https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1614788803?pwd=CvAn85ldB8x8cQnK92UFIZs3aHQSmj.1
Join Our Team - Job Openings at SSB
As we begin our new Evolve Employment initiative, SSB is hiring for an Evolve Employer Vocational Rehabilitation Manager. Deadline to apply is November 19th. Click here to learn more about this exciting new opportunity.
Is transportation and mobility your specialty? SSB is hiring an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to work with our customers. Application deadline is November 18th. Click here for the job posting information.
Give to the Max Day – Thursday, Nov. 21st
Remember State Services for the Blind’s Communication Center in your charitable giving this year. Your donations help provide braille and audio services to our customers. Click here to make a contribution. Thank you for your generosity!
Webinar - Unlocking Inclusivity: How ERAF Can Transform Your Business
Discover how your business can benefit from the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF), a remarkable initiative that supports small to mid-sized businesses by reimbursing up to $30,000 for expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities.
Date: November 20, 2024 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online – Click here to register
Podcast - Building Career Paths: Insights for Young Adults from SSB’s Student Career Networking Event
SSB hosted a Student career networking event for blind and low-vision high school and college students. Students connected with professionals from various industries, gaining insights into career opportunities, overcoming challenges, and building successful paths. A special message from the University of Minnesota’s Disability Resource Director emphasized the importance of accessibility and self-advocacy in higher education. The event encouraged students to network, learn, and explore future career possibilities.
Click here to listen to the recorded podcast.
Vision for Inclusion: Key Steps to Make College Accessible for Visually Impaired Students
Accessing higher education shouldn't be hindered by a visual impairment. Yet, for many visually impaired students, the college experience presents a unique set of obstacles. Resources are available to you as you navigate your way to higher learning.
Click here to read the full article for a plethora of information and supports.
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