 New Year, New Possibilities
As we ring in a new year, many of us will make resolutions and welcome the opportunity for self-improvement and growth. Some may be looking for a new career or job advancement. Perhaps some may want to expand their knowledge by reading more or conquering a new skill. Others may simply want to change their habits or try a new recipe. Some may want to give of their time by volunteering. Whether your goals are big or small, State Services for the Blind can help you along the way. Our Workforce Development team can assist with your career objectives. SSB’s Communication Center may have your next favorite novel or cookbook. Senior Services can teach you new skills and help you gain confidence in your independence. Some SSB departments have volunteer opportunities for you to tap into. So, bring SSB along on your journey through this new year and together let’s see how much you can accomplish!
SSB Department Spotlight – Audio Services
This month we are featuring SSB’s Audio Services Department. If you have a digital audio player and have checked out audiobooks from the National Library Service, chances are you are already familiar with SSB’s Audio Services department. Have you ever wondered just how a book transitions from print to the audio version? Audio Services’ small but mighty team of 6 full-time staff members and 21 dedicated volunteers each play a critical role in the transcription process. The Audio Services department is led by supervisor Jeff Behl whose job it is to oversee the operations of the department from the customer’s first contact all the way through completion of the audio recording.
When you call in for an audio player, need tech support, or have any initial questions for Audio Services, the process starts with Ronnie who is the first point of contact for audio services and support. According to Audio Services Supervisor, Jeff Behl, “Ronnie is able to resolve 95% of customer questions. Of anything that comes our way, we very rarely have to escalate above Ronnie.”
If you are looking for a particular title in either large print or audio, Audio Services’ Librarian, Molly, is your contact. Molly scours the National Library Services’ catalogue and other sources to see if the title is available. Molly works closely with the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library to find specific titles. If the book you are requesting is not currently available in audio format, Molly will work with you to get it recorded.
Once we have your requested book in hand, Jami begins the digital structuring. Jami sets digital markers for the sections commonly found in books – parts, chapters, subsections, pages, etc. This allows our customers to quickly navigate the audiobook and go directly to the section they want.
The newest member of SSB’s Audio team is Rebecca. Rebecca works directly with our volunteer readers. She tests and screens new volunteers and coordinates the books volunteers will read based on their unique backgrounds and life experiences. SSB’s cadre of talented volunteers read the books in one of our recording studios.
Next up is Kris, the department’s Quality Control Coordinator. Kris checks the quality of the audio recordings and ensures that the readers maintain a level of high quality in their reading and in the recordings. If any issues arise, Kris works directly with the volunteer and coaches them through trouble spots. For one of SSB’s recordings to be uploaded to the BARD system, there are specific quality standards that must be met. “We do pride ourselves on providing the most professional sounding audio books that we possibly can,” says department supervisor, Jeff Behl.
SSB’s Audio Services department can help in more ways than you might think. Audio Services also produces electronic text (e-text) which can be read by a computer or smartphone in computer voice and large print (LP) for people with low vision who need larger text.
It is important to note that SSB’s Audio Services department serves anyone with a print related disability, not just those with low vision or vision loss. We are here to provide reading materials in alternate formats for anyone who struggles with reading printed text due to a learning disability like dyslexia, or a physical disability like Parkinson’s.
Additionally, Audio Services can record not just books. According to Jeff Behl, “We do custom recordings of anything people send us. It could be literally anything under the sun. It could be a college textbook. It could be 10 years of someone’s daily journals. We've done Xcel Energy bills. We've done several self-published books. And we don't censor.”
To learn more about how SSB’s Audio Services can help, call SSB at: 651-539-2300 or follow this link to the Audio Services webpages.
SSB Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – 1/20
State Services for the Blind along with all Minnesota state offices and federal agencies will be closed on January 20th in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
State of Minnesota MLK Day Event – Mon., Jan. 20th
The State of Minnesota’s 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will take place at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and will be accessible for all. This celebration will include community leaders and inspiring performances by Billy Steele and Fellowship Baptist Church, Jamecia Bennett, and Known MPLS. Dr. Yohuru Williams will MC and host a fireside chat with Dr. Stacie Stanley, and revered elders Josie R. Johnson and Dr. Reatha Clark King. Come meet new and old friends, listen to inspiring stories, feel the joy of music, and leave with energy for action. This event is free to the public, but is limited to 1900 people. Register in advance to save time at the door and to request accessibility accommodations.
Many other events are taking place throughout the weekend including:
- Friday, January 17, 2025 – Youth Empowerment Summit at the Science Museum of Minnesota, for middle and high school students, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Minnesota Career Fair at the Minnesota National Guard Armory from, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sunday, January 19, 2025 – Connections for Hope celebrated at various locations across Minnesota.
Event details can be found on the Office of Equity, Opportunity, and Accessibility website. All events are free, but you must register in advance. Use this link to register any of the MLK events.
NLS BARD Smart Speaker Webinar – Thurs., Jan. 16th
The topic for the Thursday, January 16, 2025, Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker program will be Searching for Books with the Smart Speaker. The program will start with a presentation about ways to search and will include a demonstration. After the presentation, they will answer questions about searching or anything else relating to use of the My Talking Books skill on Alexa-enabled smart speakers.
Date: Thursday, January 16
Time: 6:00 pm central
Location: Online – Zoom link for Smart Speaker Webinar.
Let’s Get Smart Webinar: Accessibility in the Home – Friday, Jan. 17th
From the Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC), attend this webinar to learn about smart devices and smart home options, along with considerations for determining the appropriateness of incorporating smart devices into the home. Attend Let’s Get Smart.
Date: Friday, January 17
Time: 2:00 pm central time
Location: On-line - Register for the Accessibility in the Home webinar.
DeafBlind Winter Party – Sunday, Jan. 19th
DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM) and the Minnesota DeafBlind Project(MNDBP) are hosting a FREE Winter Party for families whose children have a combined hearing and vision loss. The whole family is welcome to attend!
Date: Sunday, January 19
Time: 1:00-4:00 open house – drop in anytime
Location: BrightWorks Office Bethel University- Anderson Building 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills
Webinar - ERAF Information Session - Wed. Jan. 22nd
Join the ERAF team for an informative and engaging session that will cover:
- The benefits of workplace inclusivity for your business.
- How ERAF simplifies providing accommodations and supports your bottom line.
- Real-world examples of accommodations that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction.
Learn how this innovative program can position your business as a leader in inclusivity while meeting your workforce needs. Don't miss this chance to gain actionable insights and make your workplace more accessible.
Date: Wednesday, January 22 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online – Follow this link to register for the ERAF informational webinar.
Free Eye Care Clinic in Rochester – Sat., Jan. 25th
Zumbro Valley Medical Society is offering a free eye care clinic with free eye exams, optical care, and glasses.
Date: Saturday, January 25th
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Avenue SW, Rocester, MN 55902
JAWS Search Tools Webinar – Wed. January 29th
Join Access Ingenuity for a webinar to get to know the various tools, help menu options, the new FSCompanion AI-Powered assistant, and free training materials that already exist with JAWS. This webinar is designed for both new and experienced JAWS users who want to enhance their productivity.
Date: Wednesday, January 29th
Time: 12:00 central time
Location: Online – Zoom link for JAWS webinar.
Participate in a Study – Youth Services
Young adults are invited to participate in a University of Wisconsin research study on the relationship between psychosocial adjustment to disability and engagement in vocational rehabilitation services among young adults with disabilities.
The results of this research will contribute to the existing, evidence-based scholarly literature on the impact of the age range and specific disabilities on the vocational rehabilitation engagement of young adults with disabilities.
Learn more about the UW study at this link.
NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program – Apply by March 1, 2025
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), supported by the National Library for the Blind Endowment, has launched a paid internship that offers individuals who are legally blind the opportunity to gain work experience and explore career options working in the areas of collections building, program delivery, and business oversight and management. Application details can be found on the NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program website. The deadline for the summer 2025 session is March 1. All interns will work remotely.
SSB Volunteers Needed
Do you like puzzles? Do you enjoy physically handling books? Can you use a computer?
The Audio Services section of the Communication Center at State Services for the Blind is looking for volunteers to help us set up the digital structure of the audiobooks we record. Learn how to set digital markers for the sections commonly found in books – parts, chapters, subsections, pages, etc. This allows our customers to quickly navigate the audiobook and go directly to the section they want. Please call Jami at 651-539-1421 for more information.
Job Opening – Accessibility Coordinator at MN State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is hiring a full-time, temporary Accessibility Coordinator. From the months of April-September, the State Fair adds a team member to serve as the Accessibility Coordinator to work on day-to-day scheduling, contracting, and promoting.
Click this link to apply for the State Fair Accessibility Coordinator position.
Article: The Future of Assistive Technology – Where Are We Going?
Today we all benefit from, or actively use AI in our daily lives. One area of Assistive Technology that has seen great and exciting improvements is artificial intelligence (AI). Learn how Artificial Intelligence is impacting the future of Assistive Technology.
Click this link to access the full article on AI and assistive technology.
Podcast – Blind Abilities Advocates in Action
The Blind Abilities Podcast - Advocacy in Action highlights the inspiring journeys of three individuals who exemplify advocacy in action.
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