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October News

Partner Post Highlighting Collaboration and Shared Goals

Community Partners & SSB Staff Forum

We are looking forward to seeing you for the October Community Partner Forum on Tuesday October 14, at 8:30 am. We have information to share about updates, as well as Vanward Consulting will be presenting in honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month. Here's the agenda.

Quarterly Open Office Hours: Individualized Technical Assistance for Service Providers

Are you a service provider working with individuals who are blind or have low vision? Join the National Research & Training Center (NRTC) for our upcoming Quarterly Open Office Hours, an informal, drop-in opportunity to receive individualized technical assistance from our expert staff.

Whether you're looking for guidance on workplace accommodations, employment statistics, training opportunities, or community resources, our team is here to help!

Date: November 13, 2025

Time: 2 PM Eastern, 1 PM Central, 12 PM Mountain, 11 AM Pacific

Format: Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2940704015?pwd=wZ0ZSSiHifhVcBSjsi8yuCGmGW9AVR.1&omn=83652597480
Meeting ID: 294 070 4015
Passcode: NRTC

SSB Continues Services During Federal Government Shutdown

October 1, 2025

We know that there are concerns and questions about the federal government shutdown and how that will affect SSB programs. Our agency remains open without any interruption to our services. Should circumstances change, we will be sure to keep everyone updated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the SSB Director at natasha.jerde@state.mn.us.

NEW! Bullentin Board for Community Partner News and Events

Do you have a regular newsletter of upcoming events?

We receive news and updates from our Community Partners regularly and thought it would be a great idea to share them out with other Community Partners and customers.

We have created a space for you! We now have a webpage on the Community Partners' tab called Bulletin Board. If you are wanting something posted to that page, please send an accessible PDF to the SSB Contracts email address.

Some items that we have already received have been posted. Be sure to check out what's on the page prior to sending an email.

Events That Might Be of Interest

White Cane Day – Monday October 13

Metro Mobility – October Community Conversations

Explore Resources for Startup and Small Businesses

DEED’s Small Business Resource Fair was October 9th. For those who missed it, here are resources that are available online including startup guides, funding opportunities, and compliance checklists. These resources are just the beginning. Participants at the fair were able to meet experts in person, ask questions, and discover how to apply these tools to build real momentum for their businesses.

Explore DEED’s small business resources:

Calendar:

Startup and Small Business Calendar

Access to Capital:

Resources:

Technical Assistance Providers

Entrepreneur, Startup, and Small Business Support Organizations

State Services for the Blind provides tools and training for employment, living independently, and accessing print. We assist Minnesotans who are blind, DeafBlind, experiencing vision loss, or have difficulty accessing the printed word.

Questions? Contact Us

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SSB is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.

The Minnesota State Services for the Blind Vocational Rehabilitation program receives 78.69 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For federal fiscal year 2024, the total amount of grant funds awarded were $10,410,449. The remaining 21.3 percent of the costs ($2,817,568) were funded by Minnesota state appropriations.