 Let's Talk Tech
Accessible technology can be life-changing for people who are blind, DeafBlind, or low vision. Assistive technology can offer greater independence, efficiency, and inclusion. Here are some key benefits:
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Enhanced Communication – Screen readers, voice assistants, and braille displays help users access emails, texts, and online content.
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Improved Navigation – GPS apps and smart canes assist with mobility, making travel safer and more accessible.
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Greater Access to Information – Magnifiers, audiobooks, and AI-powered apps allow users to read printed materials, labels, and signs.
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Increased Workplace Opportunities – Assistive software enables professionals to perform tasks efficiently, fostering career growth.
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Independence in Daily Life – Smart home devices, talking prescription readers, and accessible banking apps empower users to manage their routines.
Whether it's something big and complex, or small and simple, technology can make a difference in our lives. Take time to investigate some tech options and talk to your SSB counselor about what could be a good fit for you.
SSB Department Spotlight – Technology Specialists and Trainers
At SSB, technology specialists and trainers play a vital role in helping individuals who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind gain the skills they need to stay connected, productive, and independent. From teaching basic Windows navigation and screen reader commands to demonstrating apps like Seeing AI and Be My Eyes, trainers tailor each session to the individual’s goals—whether it’s preparing for college, staying in touch with family, or returning to work. “I always start with a conversation about what they want to learn,” Tech Trainer Mark Dahlberg explained. “No two visits are ever the same.” Technology Trainer John Hess adds, “Depending on the referral I get, I usually start by asking the client what they are interested in learning. Some have verry specific things such as the calendar in Outlook or using the mail app on the iPhone. Some just want to brush up their screen reader skills.”
Clients respond with a mix of enthusiasm and cautious optimism. Some are eager to explore the latest tools, while others need time to adjust to new ways of interacting with technology. “Sometimes what a customer needs most is a sympathetic ear,” shared Brynn Lowden, Assistive Technology Specialist. “But once we get through that, the learning really begins.” The result is often transformative: a renewed sense of possibility, confidence, and connection. “Seeing someone learn a skill they thought was lost is always a joy,” says Mark. Technology Specialist, Jesse Anderson adds, “I find it really rewarding when meeting with a student, where they are unsure of their future or what they can do, and after seeing the variety of technology available, they get excited again about their future. Often technology can help students pursue career options they didn't think they could do because of their vision.”
Looking ahead, SSB tech specialists and trainers are excited by the growing role of AI and wearable tech. Tools like Meta’s smart glasses and upcoming products like Echo Vision are opening new doors for accessibility, offering real-time visual interpretation and hands-free assistance. “Technology is changing fast,” one trainer noted, “but with the right support, our clients can keep up—and thrive.”
Contact your SSB counselor to learn more about how technology can help you reach your personal and professional goals.
For Your Technology Reading Pleasure
The best smart assistive devices for people with disabilities
June 2, 2025
New York Times (Wirecutter)
A top pick was Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen). “… The Echo Show 8 … includes the Show and Tell feature, which helps blind and low-vision users identify pantry items simply by holding them up to its camera and asking, ‘Alexa, what am I holding?’ According to Lucy Greco, accessibility evangelist at UC Berkeley and a smart-home tester who has been blind since birth, ‘Show and Tell doesn’t exist on any other devices. So I had to have one’ …”
https://tinyurl.com/367zy2ha
Other Announcements:
SSB Offices Closed - Thursday, June 19th
In celebration of the Juneteenth Holiday, all Minnesota state offices will be closed for business on Thursday, June 19th. State agencies and offices will resume regular business hours on Friday, June 20th.
SSB in the News
Twin Cities media shone a spotlight on SSB twice in May! Check out these recent news stories featuring SSB's Communication Center and a Business Enterprises Program Operator.
Communication Center
WCCO reporter Tony Peterson interviewed SSB Communication Center staff, volunteers, and customers to highlight SSB's audio and braille services. Segment aired on WCCO 4:00 news on May 20. Click here to watch.
Business Enterprises Program
BEP Operator, Eric Harms, was featured on KSTP discussing how the state employee Return to Office will help his business. Watch and read the full KSTP story.
Attention Radio Talking Book Listeners
Minnesota State Services for the Blind is collecting listener feedback on your RTB experience. Please take moment to answer this short survey. Your responses will be kept confidential. Thank you for helping us make Radio Talking Book a valuable service in our communities.
Click this link to access the RTB Feedback Survey.
Seeking Volunteers for St. Cloud Area RTB
Do you love to read?
Are you interested in the news of the day?
Do you have an interest in broadcasting?
The St. Cloud Area newspaper reading service for the Radio Talking Book is in need of new volunteers. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please contact us; we would be happy to talk with them about the details of volunteering.
Do you have good organization skills?
Love to work with others?
We are particularly in need of a volunteer who would be willing to be the scheduler and contact person for the RTB service in St. Cloud. This could be a person who might not want to take a shift as a reader but would be willing to set up the schedule, send out reminders etc.
Please contact Rita Woeste, woeste2273@gmail.com for more information on these exciting volunteer opportunities.
Register Now - SSB Listening Sessions July 28-30
SSB will be holding three hybrid listening sessions to gather information for our annual Needs Assessment report. The intended audience is Workforce Development and Youth Services customers. The sessions will be held in-person at SSB (2200 University Avenue West, Suite #240, St. Paul) and on Zoom.
Session 1:
General Audience & Youth Services/Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
Date: Monday, July 28th
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Session 2:
Adult DeafBlind
Date: Tuesday, July 29th
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Session 3:
Youth Services/Pre-ETS DeafBlind
Date: Wednesday, July 30th
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Click this link for more information on the listening sessions.
Click this Listening Session Registration form to register.
Apply for an Assistive Technology Advisory Council Position
The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council has openings for 7 public members effective July 1.
To serve a 2-year term as a public member on our council you must be a person with a disability who uses assistive technology or a family member or guardian of a person with a disability who uses assistive technology.
Deadline to apply is June 18th. Contact STAR for more information at 888-234-1267 or APPLY FOR A COUNCIL POSITION TODAY!
ERAF Informational Webinar - June 18th
Join DEED for an Employer Webinar - Unlocking Inclusivity: How ERAF Can Transform Your Business hosted by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Discover how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more inclusive workplace. Small to mid-sized businesses in Minnesota can receive reimbursements of up to $30,000 for providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities.
Date: Wednesday, June 18th
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: Online - ERAF registration link.
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Capitol - June 19th
Come celebrate Juneteenth at the Minnesota State Capitol with a day filled with music, food, and community. Join in commemorating the end of U.S. chattel slavery in the United States with live performances, historical exhibits, face painting, and delicious local cuisine. This free, in-person event is an excellent opportunity to learn about the significance of Juneteenth and connect with others in the community. Don't miss out on this special celebration at the heart of Minnesota!
Can't make it to the capitol? Use this link to find other Juneteenth events around the state.
Date: Thursday, June 19th
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Minnesota State Capitol - 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55155
MCD Office Open House - Thursday, June 26th
Join the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) as they reopen their offices and dedicate a new accessible, multi-purpose conference room in honor of their colleague and friend, Margot Imdieke Cross.
Date: Thursday, June 26th
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Location: Spruce Tree Center, 1600 University Avenue W., Suite 8, St. Paul, MN 55104 or virtually.
Click this link for MCD Open House information and agenda.
NLS Summer Reading Program
NLS Summer Reading Program – The third NLS Summer Reading Program runs Monday, June 16, through Friday, August 15, 2025. Virtual events feature author Mac Barnett, Master Gardener Roger Erpelding, Storyteller Donna Washington, Master Chef Christine Ha, and Musician Jono Manson. More information and registration for events, including a virtual tour of the Library of Congress, is on the NLS Summer Reading Program website. Please note the times listed are eastern time.
Save the Date - New Talking Book Player Introduction
Thursday, August 28th
This summer, NLS plans to offer a new audiobook player, replacing the first generation of players introduced in 2009. The free DA2 is NLS’s new digital player with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 28GB storage, Text-to-Speech, easy-to-use buttons, and support for NLS cartridges and USB drives. Supplies are limited, so eligible users should contact the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library to add your name to the waitlist. Get the details on the DA2 on the NLS website.
Come and learn all about the new DA2! We invite you to attend an information session about the new digital talking book player and hear about its features. This will be an in-person event held at the Minnesota Department of Education in partnership between the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library and State Services for the Blind.
Date: Thursday, August 28th
Time: 1:00-2:30
Location: 400 NE Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413, in lower-level conference rooms 101 and 102
Look for more details about the event and registration information coming soon!
Save the Date - White Cane Day - Wed. Oct. 15th
We invite you all to come to the Minnesota State Capitol to celebrate White Cane Day. This event will have engaging speakers, informational tables, representatives from various blind sporting and recreation clubs, as well as a cane restoration station.
Date: Wednesday, October 15th
Time: TBD
Location: Minnesota State Capitol - 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55155
Look for more information about this fun, family-friendly event coming soon!
Feedback Needed - Sign Language Translator
SignGemma is a groundbreaking open model for sign language understanding, set for release later this year! It is designed to translate various sign languages into spoken language text. While it's trained to be massively multilingual, it’s best at and primarily tested on American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
As the company prepares for launch and beyond, they're eager to collaborate with developers, researchers, and the wider Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities of the world to make SignGemma as useful and impactful as possible.
Click this link to participate in SignGemma feedback.
NLS Beta Testers Wanted
My Talking Books (Alexa Skill) - NLS is seeking beta testers of their new My Talking Books skill on Amazon Alexa-enabled smart speakers. NLS patrons who register for open beta will be on-boarded on a rolling basis. Patrons who wish to register for the open beta should fill out the Patron Registration Form.
New Bill Expands Support for Service Dogs in Training
On Thursday May 8th, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law giving service dogs in training the same protections and support as active service dogs. The Governor signed the bill alongside bill authors Senator Bonnie Westlin and Representative Cedrick Frazier, advocates, and service dogs Mato and Flint. Photos from the signing are linked here.
“Service dogs are vital to the many Minnesotans who depend on their services,” said Governor Walz. “This bill ensures service dogs in training can live with their trainers, who dedicate hundreds of hours working with these animals to ensure they can do their jobs reliably once they’re matched with a client and placed in their forever home.”
Chapter 16 House File 688 modifies service dog provisions in housing accommodations, ensuring service dogs in training are exempt from HOA and apartment rules that don’t allow dogs. Currently, only active service dogs are covered under the law.
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