 Savoring Summer
As August rolls in with its golden light and lingering warmth, we find ourselves savoring the final bites of summer—both literally and figuratively. It’s a month that invites us to slow down, soak up the sun, and maybe even celebrate the humble sandwich, which gets its own spotlight during National Sandwich Month. Whether it’s a classic PB&J or a gourmet creation, sandwiches remind us that simple ingredients can come together to make something truly satisfying.
Minnesotans are experts at relishing the last bits of summer with picnics, sports tournaments, family gatherings, and the state fair. Here’s to wrapping up summer like a perfect sandwich—layered with sunshine, savored one bite at a time.
SSB Department Spotlight – Life Skills Training
This spirit of creativity and nourishment is alive and well at SSB, where we’re thrilled to spotlight our training kitchen. Designed to empower individuals with vision loss, this new space at SSB’s St. Paul headquarters offers hands-on learning in cooking, nutrition, and independent living skills. It’s more than just a kitchen—it’s a place where confidence is built, flavors are explored, and independence is celebrated.
In September, SSB trainers Char and Kia will begin their third round of training sessions in the newly updated space. These training sessions run once a week for 8 weeks. Training participants learn their way around a kitchen and practice cooking techniques with low vision. Training is gradual release where they begin with simple, no-cook meals like a sandwich and chips and ramping up to cooking with the microwave, stove, and oven. The end goal is for participants to build confidence to keep cooking at home with low vision.
In addition to kitchen skills, the training space also has a washing machine and dryer for laundering lessons. Other life skills covered in the training sessions are medication management, paper money organization, orientation and mobility (O & M), and transportation options. "We have one of our O&M people come in and work with me on these classes. So even when there's like cooking or other stuff going on, they can pull a person and work with them, and then eventually we go on outings together. So that's also part of the class," states Char.
Training participants range from youth to seniors. SSB's Youth Services department held a four-week training course for students this summer. "We really need to be nailing down those foundational skills for transitioning students, and I see that happening more in the kitchen space at SSB. We sometimes find that students who are preparing to go off to college, are struggling with those basic independent living skills. And we have to start at the very basics, like using a microwave," adds Kia.
An unexpected benefit of having the training space at SSB is the exposure participants have to other SSB staff. They can meet with staff from other departments and get to know the people who transcribe materials into braille or audio. The trainers can also pull in other specialists who can facilitate technology assessments, conduct an O&M lesson, or even just offer support and advice. "It is really good that they're in the SSB office and there are other people with different levels of vision loss around that can connect with the participants, and it's not just me, as their teacher demonstrating things," says Char.
For Your Listening Pleasure
In this exciting episode of Blind Abilities podcast, Jeff Thompson visits the Ready, Set, Prep program at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota—a hands-on class designed for blind and visually impaired students to learn cooking and life skills in a fully accessible kitchen.
Led by SSB rehabilitation teacher Kia Sadler and Pre-ETS counselor Kate Larson, the program is about more than food—it’s about teamwork, creativity, and realizing that you can take the lead in your own kitchen. Hear from students who share their favorite recipes, learning moments, and how they’re already impressing their families at home. This is where blind youth cook up confidence—one recipe at a time!
Click this link to access the podcast.
Other Announcements:
Register Now! New DA2 Talking Book Player Introduction - Thursday, August 28th
Learn about the new digital talking book player, the DA2. Hear about its features, including built-in Wi-Fi for connecting to BARD, Bluetooth connectivity, internal storage, and more. DA2 players will be available for participants to try hands-on, along with other equipment. Attendees can receive a cartridge to assist in setting up a new DA2 at home. Please bring your BARD log-in credentials and Wi-Fi network name and password if you want them saved on the cartridge. This will be an in-person only event held at the Minnesota Department of Education in partnership between the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library and SSB.
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
Registration is required due to room capacity. Registration limited to 40 participants.
Coming Soon - 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey
Attention Workforce customers! The 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey will be arriving in your email inboxes within the next week. Please take a moment to complete this survey and help us improve the services that SSB staff deliver to blind, DeafBlind, and low vision clients in our state.
Join the SSB Team
SSB is hiring for an intermittent driver. This position exists to provide driver services to staff or customers of State Services for the Blind. SSB drivers transport SSB staff, customers, or equipment to and from meetings and outreach activities. Deadline to apply is August 25th.
Click this link to learn more and apply for this open position.
Volunteers Needed - USBGA Tournament
Come help at the USBGA tournament. For the first time in 79 years, the United States Blind Golf Association will be holding its National Golf Tournament in Minnesota.
Tournament Dates: September 17 - 19
Tournament Location: Oak Marsh Golf Course, Oakdale, MN
Hosting a large tournament requires many volunteers.
USBGA is seeking volunteers to be score keepers, spotters, possibly some coaches, and a couple of drivers to pick up golfers coming in/and out at the airport.
To sign up to volunteer or for any questions, please contact USBGA Tournament Director, Curt Jones, at 612-751-6591, or via e-mail at cjones1026@prtel.com.
MBTBL Seeks Library Technician
Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library has a part-time Library Technician position available. Deadline to apply is August 26th.
Learn more about the MBTBL open position and apply here.
Attention Radio Talking Book Listeners
Minnesota State Services for the Blind is collecting listener feedback on your RTB experience. Please take a 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.
Attention Fergus Falls Area RTB Listeners
SSB's Outreach Team would like to hear from RTB listeners in the Fergus Falls Area. We'd love to share your listening experiences with the volunteer readers in the area. Please contact: lisa.rogers@state.mn.us
Rideshare Troubles?
Minnesota Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Services have been receiving reports of Uber and Lyft drivers declining to provide rides for some people with guide dogs - or, even in some cases, with white canes. In an effort to reach out and help improve rider experiences, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MNDHR) would like to hear from you if you have experienced cancelled or declined rides.
Email: info.mdhr@state.mn.us
Phone 651.539.1100
MN Relay 711 or 1.800.627.3529
Toll Free 1.800.657.3704
Defend Disability Rights: Submit Your Comments Today
On July 1, the Department of Labor issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) announcing plans to end requirements for federal contractors under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. These rules set a disability hiring goal of 7% and required contractors to improve recruitment, hiring, and accommodation practices.
The proposals are now open for public comment. Note: Submit your public comment by September 2, 2025, on the proposed changes to implementing Section 503.
Important: Late comments will not be accepted.
Your comments help defend hard won rights and ensure equal employment and independence for people with disabilities.
The Great Minnesota Accessible Get-Together
Scores of Minnesotans savor the last bites of summer by attending the Minnesota State Fair. Each year, the fair expands their accessibility services to enhance fairgoers experiences. Click this link for the MN State Fair Accessibility Guide to learn about the variety of accessible services. New additions this year include:
More Audio Descriptions
In addition to the Crop Art exhibit, the Fine Arts Exhibition now highlights selected artwork with pre-recorded audio descriptions for guests who are blind or have low vision.
Expanded ASL Program
This year, the Minnesota State Fair ASL program includes roving ASL interpreters on-site daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., providing services for a wide range of entertainment and demonstrations.
Accessible Ramps
Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum features new accessible ramps for guests to enter from the concourse to improved wheelchair seating areas in the arena.
BARD 2.0 Website Support
The National Library Service's Patron Engagement Section is offering a new program to assist patrons using the new BARD 2.0 website. BARD 2.0 Office Hours will be held each Tuesday night from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., starting September 16, 2025, and ending November 25, 2025. Each session will be informal in structure, specifically designed to assist patrons as they learn and use the new BARD website.
The Zoom link for this program will remain the same. The session can be joined by going to: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1614022132pwd=dXpMb93HfrUi17rM3a8UNd3d8OSwtY.1
Service Dog Trainer Housing Protections
Minnesota law already prohibits housing discrimination against individuals with active service dogs. Now, the law will prevent the same for individuals training service dogs who are part of an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation to train service dogs.
The law, passed in the 2025 session and authored by Sen. Bonnie Westlin, DFL-Plymouth, and Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, also will prohibit any extra fees for those seeking accommodation with a service dog in training, but permit liability for any damages to the property caused by the dog.
Program Offers Free Groceries and a Meal
The Members Church of God International (MCGI) reached out to SSB with a request to share the following invitation:
We are planning a special community service program on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Philippine Center of Minnesota (conveniently located on a bus line). This warm afternoon will include:
- A short and uplifting program
- Free groceries and goodies
- Complimentary hot meals
Space is limited to 15–20 participants, and RSVP is required.
Please register here: RSVP Google Form
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