 Disability Employment Awareness
All month long, we've been reaffirming our commitment to National Disability Employment Awareness. This month highlights the importance of building inclusive workplaces and communities by recognizing the value that all workers with disabilities add to Minnesota's workplaces and economy.
As we mark the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we recognize that 12% of Minnesotans and one in four adults in the U.S. live with a disability. According to the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), 89,300 Minnesotans have a visual disability. We also know that every $1 invested in disability hiring returns $3 in value.
At SSB, we strive to assist blind, low vision, and DeafBlind Minnesotans in finding a job, advancing a career, or retaining employment. While October spotlights disability employment, SSB counselors and support staff effectuate this mission year-round.
If you or someone you know needs assistance in obtaining or retaining employment, please reach out to SSB's Workforce Development Unit for information on how to get started.
SSB Department Spotlight – Evolve Employment
This month marks the one-year anniversary of the newest workforce team at SSB - Evolve Employment. Funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), SSB was awarded $9.1 million dollars through a Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant. The goal of this five-year grant is to create a dual-customer model to address the unique employment challenges faced by blind, low vision, and DeafBlind Minnesotans and their current and potential employers. The Evolve Employment Model Demonstration is committed to building a person-centered approach to vocational rehabilitation that leads to more meaningful and timely employment outcomes for individuals who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind. Through innovation, collaboration, and systems change, Evolve Employment is laying the groundwork for a model that can be integrated into the broader VR program and sustained beyond the life of the grant.
Over the past year, Evolve Employment has hired a team of nine professionals who have been working behind the scenes to get the program off the ground. This foundational work includes having workshops, working through processes, creating branding and marketing materials, connecting with employers and service providers, and bringing individuals into the program.
Dacia VanAlstine is Evolve Employment's Project Director. Her background contains decades of experience in Vocational Rehabilitation and Workforce Development. She's excited about "having the flexibility to be able to do things that will help make systemic changes to the general program. Our goal is to get people into better and more sustainable jobs that they can grow in."
Evolve Employment will assist customers with:
- Benefits Planning
- Adapted Training
- Worked-Based Learning
- Advanced Technology Training
And, collaborate with businesses on:
- Digital Accessibility Support
- Accommodation Implementation
- Career Retention and Advancement
Evolve Employment has already taken on new customers. Their Career Navigators have been helping to guide customers on their career pathways. The New American Business Engagement Specialist has been connecting and working with some Minnesota newcomers. The Benefits Specialist has been counseling individuals and families on understanding how employment will affect their current benefits. According to Dacia, "We're already making changes, and we're not even 100% fully up and running. We are already affecting change in the general program and it's a beautiful thing! Evolve Employment is going to help our clients and it's going to help our staff."
Look for the new Evolve Employment website and interest form coming soon!
Other Announcements:
Join the SSB Team - Apply by October 30th
SSB is hiring for a full-time Payer position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Monitoring the invoice mailbox, forwarding the emails to the appropriate staff persons, and prompting staff to complete initiation of the invoices to be paid.
- Communicating with vendors as needed to receive invoices and reports for payment processing.
- Verifying the accuracy of information (i.e., names, dates, addresses, amount) on invoices and the corresponding authorizations.
Click this link to apply for the Payer position.
Join the SSB Team - Apply by October 31st
SSB is hiring a full-time Vocational Rehabilitation Technician - Senior.
Duties include:
- Provide support to WDU counselors by acting as a program liaison to assist with the referral, application, and intake process. Assist counselor in facilitating service implementation in the Individualized Plan for Employment in a timely manner.
- Provide Statewide Integrated Financial Tools System (SWIFT) support for WDU counselors as a buyer through Authority for Local Purchase (ALP) certification.
- With support of the counselor, independently communicate with vendors related to service implementation and provision.
- Provide direct and indirect services to employed or ready to be employed customers in the WFD unit of SSB to assist them in obtaining or maintaining employment.
Click this link to apply for the Vocational Rehabilitation Technician position.
MCD Survey Closes - October 31st
The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) wants to learn about your disability policy priorities and lived experiences across Minnesota. Your answers will help plan their 2026 legislative agenda and guide their policy work. Taking this survey is completely voluntary and anonymous. You can skip any question or stop at any time. It’s your choice.
MCD may use survey results to:
- Prepare briefings and reports for legislators and state agencies
- Share public summaries on MCD’s website and social media
- Support presentations and testimony at public meetings
- Contribute to research publications and conference presentations
There's still time to participate. Click here to participate in the Legislative Priorities Survey.
Dining in the Dark in Duluth - November 6th
The Lighthouse Center for Vital Living is hosting a Dining in the Dark dinner fundraising event. Come dine blindfolded and enjoy an evening of feel-good food, music, and company while supporting a vital cause. Enjoy a silent auction, dessert auction and other fun!
Date: Thursday, November 6th
Time: 5:00-9:00 pm
Location: 2920 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55806
Last chance to get your tickets! Place your order by October 30th.
Click this link to order your Dining in the Dark tickets today!
Accessible Comedy Show - Nov. 8th
Back for a second year, Stevie Ray's Improv Company is hosting a fully accessible comedy cabaret with accommodations for a blind and low vision audience.
Dates: Saturday, November 8th and January 31st
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Click here to order tickets for the comedy cabaret.
NFBMN Convention, Rochester - November 14-16
The National Federation of the Blind Minnesota (NFBMN) chapter is hosting their annual state-wide convention. Come and participate in engaging learning sessions and network with NFBMN members and partners.
Dates: Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16
Location: Best Western & Empire Events Center, 1517 16th St SW, Rochester, MN 55902
More information can be found at the NFBMN website.
MCDHH 40 Year Celebration, St. Cloud - November 15
Come join the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) in person at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center in the Terry Haws A room, as they commemorate four decades of advocacy, history, and system changes for Minnesota's deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities, while enjoying a delicious meal.
Get ready for an evening filled with inspiring presenters, story gathering, and networking opportunities with fellow community members.
Date: Saturday, November 15th
Time: 5:00-8:00
Location: St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN
Click this link to purchase tickets for the MCDHH 10th Year Celebration Banquet.
Disability Justice Jamboree - November 17-18
Advocating Change Together (ACT) and Self-Advocates of Minnesota (SAM) are hosting a State Self-Advocacy Conference. This is a conference by and for people with disabilities. Join in on learning workshops and fun events like music & dancing, photo booth, BINGO, speed friending, and a social hour hosted by the ACT Olmstead Academy.
Dates: Monday, November 17th & Tuesday, November 18th
Location: Delta Hotels by Mariott, 1330 Industrial Blvd. NE, Minneapolis
Register by November 9th! Click here for ACT's conference webpage for registration and more information.
Age Friendly Regional Exchanges
Attention Seniors! This fall, Age-Friendly Minnesota and its regional partners present a new series of exchanges across the state to reconnect with communities and share the latest news and initiatives from Minnesota’s growing age-friendly movement.
Click this link to find a regional exchange near you.
ERAF Program Continues Forward
The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is pleased to share that the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) continues to move forward, supporting Minnesota employers in fostering accessible and inclusive workplaces.
The ERAF program provides small to mid-sized Minnesota employers with up to $30,000 in reimbursements for reasonable accommodation expenses that help job applicants and employees with disabilities succeed at work. The program’s goal is to reduce financial barriers and encourage inclusive employment practices statewide.
Applications for new reimbursements will be opening soon. For more information or questions, please contact eraf.deed@state.mn.us or visit the ERAF website.
Early Giving Starts November 1st
Give to the Max Day is November 20th, but you can beat the rush and contribute to SSB's Communication Center beginning November 1st. Your gift helps the Communication Center make a lifelong difference in the 22,000 individuals we serve throughout Minnesota. In addition to transcribing print material into braille and audio formats, we lend and repair digital audio players and braille e-readers through the National Library Service; we also broadcast a 24-hour radio reading service through the Radio Talking Book (RTB).
Thank you for your support! Click this link to make a contribution.
SSB Seeks Volunteers
Looking for a volunteer opportunity that can have a deep and lasting impact on the lives of others? We have opportunities helping produce braille, read books and newspapers, and structure audiobooks. Come join us for fun, challenging and useful ways you can donate your time and talents at State Services for the Blind (SSB).
Learn more about SSB's Volunteer Opportunities here.
Last Chance! Youth Essay Contest - Submit by Nov. 1st
Lions Clubs are sponsoring an essay contest giving students the chance to write on the theme “Together As One”. The contest is open to students who are considered visually impaired according to their national guidelines and will be 11, 12 or 13 years of age on November 15, 2025. Eligible birthdates are November 16, 2012 through November 15, 2014.
Local prizes are awarded as well as one grand prize of $5,000. A Lions Club will need to sponsor an entry, so please contact Debra Wasserman: liondebra@charter.net and she will connect you with Lions in your area. Essays will be due to a Lions Club on November 1, 2023, in order for them to meet the submission criteria to their Lions District.
Click this link for more information on the Lions Club essay contest.
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