Get Moving!

May is Physical Fitness Month. Established in 1983 by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, this event has evolved to include a wide range of activities and resources aimed at getting people moving. Physical Fitness Month is an excellent opportunity to celebrate inclusive health and wellness for everyone. Staying active is vital for overall well-being, and adaptive fitness programs ensure that individuals with vision loss and low vision can engage in exercise safely and effectively. Adaptive sports such as golf, beep ball, soccer, goalball, tandem cycling and yoga with verbal cues cater to different levels of ability while fostering independence and confidence. Organizations and fitness centers increasingly offer accessible workout spaces with tactile markers, guided fitness apps, and personal trainers who specialize in adaptive techniques. By promoting awareness and inclusivity, Physical Fitness Month encourages communities to recognize that fitness should be accessible to all, reinforcing the idea that movement is for everybody.

SSB Department Spotlight – Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

Tying into the theme of Physical Fitness month, this is the perfect time to introduce SSB’s O&M team. Briefly defined, Orientation & Mobility is how one moves about confidently in the world; it’s understanding where you are in space and how to move efficiently, independently, safely, and gracefully through it.

SSB’s Orientation and Mobility team consists of two staff members, Jennifer Pelletier and Abdi Mumin. They work with customers across all direct services departments at SSB – Workforce Development, Youth Services, and Senior Services. Their main job is to train SSB’s customers in the non-visual skills needed to get around. So, if someone is blind, low vision, or losing vision, they can gain the skills and confidence needed to navigate in their environment.

O&M training is conducted in one-on-on sessions with the customers. Each session running 2 hours on average. These trainings are designed for the individual learner. “To begin with, an O&M assessment is important to gather information about a person’s diagnoses (vision and other health/wellness concerns), auditory skills, spatial awareness, cognition, etc. and to collaborate with the customer on determining goals. Once we have a common goal in mind, we work towards that at a pace that is appropriate for the customer,” explains Jennifer.

 “In terms of skills, we meet the customer where they’re at, discover which O&M skills they already have, access their individual learning style, and then tailor the lessons that best suits them and their needs to gain the skills needed to travel confidently and independently,” says Abdi.

Together with the customer, the O&M trainers work on such skills as white cane travel, working with guide dogs and their handlers, navigating public transportation – buses, light rail, and even airports. Abdi and Jennifer can also help with human guide techniques and training. They recently created a human guide brochure to support sighted guides. The O&M instructors assist new college students prepare for life on campus by helping them navigate the locations of their dorm rooms, and classes. This instruction may include information on the general campus layout and getting students acclimated with their new environment. With SSB’s Workforce customers, O&M can provide on-the-job training including navigating a new workspace and how to use transportation to and from your home and work site.

Orientation and Mobility training can yield personal growth and positive results from both customers and instructors.

“My favorite part of the job is being the catalyst for hope for our customers. Many do not have positive outlooks with their disability and helping them find their way around and gain confidence and independence is one of the best feelings in the world! It is exciting to watch that personal growth with our customers, says Abdi.

Jennifer adds, “Customers are usually very proud of what they have achieved! It’s incredibly rewarding as I hear them reflect upon their first day of training and realize the journey they have completed…and the journey continues as they apply their skills to new environments!”

As assistive technology rapidly evolves and more becomes available, it is important for SSB counselors and staff to keep up with the changes. “Whether it’s about GPS navigational tools, AI and mobility, accessing nature or the city, we’d love to hear feedback from past/present/prospective customers about what O&M areas they’d like to learn more about!” says Jennifer.

If you are interested in how Orientation and Mobility training can help you, please contact SSB to get connected with this talented team of instructors.

Move Around SSB with NaviLens

There is a new addition of some colorful laminated codes attached to the walls in the lobby at SSB’s home office in St. Paul. Since we often have folks here who are training or are new to the building, SSB’s O&M team thought our lobby would be a good space to experiment with NaviLens. It gives people a chance to try using technology in ways they maybe haven’t before.

What is NaviLens? It’s an app that uses codes, or tags, to provide navigational guidance and/or information. The ones in the SSB lobby can be accessed by anyone. You can get your own free codes, and learn more about NaviLens at https://www.navilens.com/en/

Why NaviLens? This is something that we’ve observed at O&M conferences, Leader Dog, at bus routes at major cities – and it is also being used in museums, universities, and in LA in preparation for the next summer Olympics. You may notice these codes on your box of Rice Krispies, too! It also works with any language on your phone, doesn’t require your camera to focus, has haptic options, etc.

How does it work? Using the NaviLens app, the camera will find the codes up to 65 feet away. You don’t have to focus the camera, and you can use it while in motion. You can choose if you want it to provide navigational information or not. You still need your long white cane or guide dog --and good O&M skills--to get there, but you’ll have a general idea of where your destination may be.

What app do I need? The NaviLens app can be found below. There is also a NaviLens “Go” app that has other features; but we’d recommend starting with the original NaviLens app for starters:

Link to App Store: NaviLens on the App Store

Link to Google Play: NaviLens - Apps on Google Play

If you’re interested in trying this out at the SSB building, please reach out the O&M team:  Jennifer.pelletier@state.mn.us or abdi.mumin@state.mn.us         

For Your O&M Listening Pleasure

As we focus on Orientation and Mobility this month, check out this podcast with SSB’s O&M team:

Swing for the Fences Podcast

For Your O&M Reading Pleasure

Get moving through travel! Here’s a link to a recent Travel & Leisure article about how blind travelers see the world in ways beyond the visual.

O&M Academic Study - All the Way There and Back: Inertial-Based, Phone-in-Pocket Indoor Wayfinding and Backtracking Apps for Blind Travelers

Read this research study on two iOS apps designed to support blind travelers navigating in indoor building environments.

Guides on Guide Dogs

Guide dogs play a key role in Orientation and Mobility. Guide dogs help individuals navigate their environment, avoid obstacles, and move smoothly through crowds. They can assist with crossing busy roads and boarding public transportation. Here is a link with resources for guide dog users, including an etiquette sheet for friends and family, a guide for healthcare providers, and information on ride share discrimination. Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Educational Corner

Other Announcements: 

Attention Duluth Area RTB Listeners

A Duluth area television station would like to air a feature on Radio Talking Book and is looking for RTB listeners to interview. If you are interested in helping out, please contact lisa.rogers@state.mn.us 

Map Accessibility Webinar – Thursday, May 8^th

Minnesota is one of the leaders in creating accessible maps and digital products. Not only is the state doing outstanding work, but they’re also sharing their expertise with the world through free resources on their Map Accessibility site. Join the National States Geographic Council on May 8th as accessibility experts in Minnesota walk through what they have done, what they have learned, and what they have made available to help others improve accessibility.

Date: Thursday, May 8th

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Location: Online – Register for this free accessibility webinar.

NLS Many Faces of BARD – Thursday, May 8^th

The topic for this Many Faces of BARD program will be Using the Find utility of BARD Express to sift through long lists of titles such as the Most Recent and Most Popular menus.

The program will begin with a presentation and demonstration. After the presentation, presenters will entertain questions about the presentation or anything else relating to BARD. NLS will record this program.

Date: Thursday, May 8th

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Location: Online – Click this NLS Zoom link to join.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day – May 15^th

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, we celebrate the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities who rely on digital accessibility. See information below on some of the many GAAD events you can join.

Panel Discussion: Expanding Digital Accessibility: Minnesota Legislative and Judicial Office Initiatives – Thursday, May 15^th

Most digital accessibility efforts in government have focused on the executive branch. The Minnesota State Legislature and Courts have independently adopted accessibility policies. This session will explore how the teams planned and engaged stakeholders to rollout the policies. Presenters will discuss:

• Why their respective branches chose to adopt accessibility as a standard or policy.
• Key challenges in implementing accessibility.
• Strategies, tools, and processes that were useful/helpful.

Date: Thursday, May 15th

Time: 8:30 – 9:30 am

Location: Online – Join the MNIT GAAD event.

Committing to Change: University of MN Shared GAAD Event - Thursday, May 15^th

This full day symposium is aimed at engaging in conversation, thinking, and learning about access and inclusion. The event is sponsored by the University of Minnesota and co-sponsored by the University of Illinois system and the University of Michigan. The year’s theme is “Committing to Change” considering the many ways we, our departments, our colleges and universities, and communities can commit to making the changes needed to be more inclusive. The event is includes multiple sessions to choose from and is organized by a volunteer group of dedicated University employees.

Date: Thursday, May 15^th

Time: 9:30 am – 3:20 am

Location: Online – Use this link to learn more about this U of M GAAD event.

Disability:IN – Global Accessibility Webinar – Thursday May 15^th

Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with Disability:IN through an insightful webinar featuring presenters from the US, Canada, and Mexico. Experts will share their unique insights on accessibility, covering a variety of topics such as practical implementation strategies, real-world case studies, the impact of AI on accessibility, and methods for evaluating effectiveness. This session is designed to provide attendees with actionable knowledge and innovative approaches to enhance accessibility.

Date: Thursday, May 15th

Time: 12:30 – 2:00 pm

Location: Online – Disability:IN Registration Link

Blind Birder Bird-a-thon – Sunday, May 18^th

Here’s another opportunity to get moving! The Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon is a 24-hour birding event designed for participation by birders who are legally blind. This inaugural event encourages participants to identify as many bird species as possible by sound (or sight, as able), celebrating accessibility and the joy of birding. Any legally blind individual in the US - of any age and any level of experience - is welcome to participate. The event takes place anywhere one birds on Sunday, May 18, 2025, 12:01 A.M. to 11:59 P.M. (local time). Participants can bird solo, with a team, or alongside a sighted assistant. Backyard birding, traveling teams, an outing on a trail and more are all welcome! To foster community, increase participation in birding for people who are legally blind, and embrace birding by ear—a skill that often makes legally blind birders exceptionally adept. No experience necessary! Whether an experienced birder or new to birding, this event is for you. Registration is free!

Date: Sunday, May 18^th

Time: All Day - 12:01 am until 11:59 pm

Location: In your own community

For more details including the registration link, go to the website at https://www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon and sign up & receive updates.

Mind, Body, & Soul Convening – Wednesday, May 21^st

This month’s Mind, Body, and Soul webinar focuses on Navigating the Minnesota State Register: What You Need to Know. The Minnesota State Register is the official publication of the State of Minnesota’s Executive Branch of government, published weekly to fulfill the legislative mandate set forth in Minnesota Statutes. Items covered in the Register include:

• Proposed Rules
• Executive Orders of the Governor
• Commissioners’ Orders
• Contracts for Professional, Technical and Consulting Services
• Adopted Rules
• Exempt Rules
• Appointments
• Revenue Notices
• State Grants and Loans
• Expedited Rules
• Proclamations
• Official Notices
• Non-State Public Bids, Contracts and Grants
• Withdrawn Rules
• Vetoed Rules

Date: Wednesday, May 21^st  

Time: 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Location: Online – Link to register for Mind, Body, & Soul

Lighthouse Center for Vital Living Summer Camps – Apply by May 26^th

The Lighthouse will offer two in-person camps this summer. Both camps start at 2:00 pm on the beginning Sunday and run through noon on the following Sunday. These camps will work with you to develop more capability, more confidence, and expand your community of connection and friends. You will learn, improve, and have fun while experiencing beautiful Duluth in the summertime! Click this link to learn more and apply for the Lighthouse Summer Camps.

Metro Mobility Community Conversations – May 27^th and 29^th

Talk about getting moving, mobility is in their name. Metro Mobility’s Community Conversations are designed for Metro Mobility customers and their advocates. Join them to share feedback and ideas. They’ll also discuss new developments, service updates, areas for improvement, and more.

In-person meeting (space limited) Thursday, May 29 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Wilder Center (Saint Paul) 451 Lexington Parkway North

Prefer to meet online?

Online meeting Tuesday, May 27 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Use this link to register for either of the Metro Mobility Community Conversations.

Minnesota Housing Public Hearing – Wednesday, May 28^th

The State of Minnesota is developing its 2025 Housing and Community Development Action Plan and wants your feedback.  

This plan reflects year four of the state’s 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan, which examines the housing and community development needs of the state and sets priorities for allocating U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds. A public hearing will gather comments on the draft Action Plan.

Date: Wednesday, May 28^th

Time: 3:45 p.m.

In person at: Department of Employment and Economic Development Great Northern Building, Floor 12 180 E 5th Street, St. Paul MN 55101

Virtually at: Microsoft Teams Meeting Link or via phone at 1.651.395.7448, ID 455908275# 

If you need an accommodation for a disability or require interpretation services, contact Natasha Kukowski at natasha.kukowski@state.mn.us or 651.259.7425 or (800) 657.3858 at least three business days before the public hearing.

1MN History Makers: AANPHI Month – Thursday, May 29^th

In addition to Physical Fitness Month, May is also Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month. Come and celebrate the leaders and changemakers making a difference in our communities. Connect, be inspired, and recognize the powerful impact across various industries. Don’t miss this opportunity to uplift and celebrate AAHNPI Minnesotans!

Date: Thursday, May 29^th   

Time: 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Location: XIA Gallery & Café - 422 University Avenue West Saint Paul, MN 55103

Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair – Saturday, May 31^st

Here’s another way to get moving and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage month. The Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair will be held in Plymouth, the fair is an annual event that celebrates the rich and diverse Asian cultures in the local community with all residents. The goal is to bring together people of all backgrounds and ages to learn, appreciate and celebrate the beauty of Asian culture. The event is free and all are welcome! 

Date: Saturday, May 31^st

Time: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Location: Hilde Performance Center – 3500 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth

Visit the Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair website for more information.