Swing Into Summer 

It appears we have jumped headlong into summer with temperatures shifting from the 60's directly to the 80's. Gardners have planted pots full of colorful flowers and rows of vegetables and herbs. The crack of the bat can be heard at baseball diamonds across the state, and the collective cheer of students as they begin summer break resounds in the air. Now is the time to sit on the deck, on the dock, or on a boat and indulge in a good book, listen to the birds, cast a line, and take in all that a Minnesota summer has to offer. As we embrace this vibrant season, SSB continues its work to expand access, remove barriers, and support Minnesotans who are blind, DeafBlind, or low vision in pursuing independence and opportunity. Just like summer brings renewed energy, SSB is energized by new research, programs, and resources that help communities thrive.

SSB Department Spotlight – Fiscal Unit

State Services for the Blind’s Fiscal Team plays a vital behind‑the‑scenes role in keeping our programs running smoothly and ensuring that Minnesotans who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind receive timely, high‑quality services.

Both Gaby and Woinitu emphasized that the Fiscal Team’s work stretches far beyond paying bills. As Gaby shared, “We prepare the state fiscal year budget, federal budgets, and individual budgets for each unit… We ensure that purchase orders and expenditures follow all federal and state guidelines and regulations.”

For Woinitu, the team’s mission is clear: “The Fiscal Department is not only monitoring funds and paying bills, but the team plays an important role in helping the clients receive services on time.”

A typical day for the Fiscal Team involves answering questions from staff, approving invoices, reconciling reports, monitoring expenditures, and verifying that all financial activities stay accurate and compliant. As Woinitu put it, “My role is managing and monitoring fiscal activities by reviewing authorizations, correcting errors, reconciling reports, and responding to questions.”

Both team members agreed that collaboration is one of the most meaningful aspects of their work. “The most rewarding part of my job is ensuring that all units operate smoothly and stay within budget,” Gaby explained. “We take great pride in collaborating with all units to prevent delays or errors that could jeopardize the integrity of our grants.” Woinitu echoed this sentiment, sharing that the most meaningful part of her role is “to collaborate with coworkers and program staff to solve problems.”

SSB also benefits greatly from the expertise and guidance of fiscal team member Chris Johnson. Chris has retired from fulltime employment at SSB but graciously agreed to continue on in a special capacity to lend her years of experience and skills to keep SSB on a sound fiscal path. She mentors Gaby and Woinitu and assists with special tasks. Chris also guides and advises our sister agency, Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Recently, the Fiscal Team has been especially proud of improvements to reporting and reconciliation processes, strengthening expenditure monitoring and helping ensure funds are used appropriately. They’ve also successfully navigated federal‑level uncertainty without disruptions to SSB programs. “We are proud of our ability to stay within budget and prevent any disruptions or reductions to our programs,” Gaby noted.

From managing budgets to maintaining compliance to keeping everyday operations moving—from phone lines to purchase orders—the Fiscal Team truly touches every corner of SSB. Their expertise ensures that staff can focus on serving clients, knowing the financial foundation is strong, steady, and well‑managed.

Men's Low Vision Support Group

Support groups organized through State Services for the Blind (SSB) are helping people with vision loss find encouragement, practical strategies, and community. SSB has launched a men's low vision support group. The group meets on the second Wednesday every month. Come join us for helpful tips, new techniques, laughter, and support. 

Date: Next meeting - Wednesday, June 10th

Time: 1:00 pm

Location: SSB's home office - 2200 University Avenue West, St. Paul

Contact: Register with stacy.shamblott@state.mn.us

Get Involved - Join the SRC-B Council

The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRC-B) acts as an advisory body to provide recommendations and a perspective from the community of the low vision, blind, and DeafBlind to State Services for the Blind on programs and services SSB provides to qualified Minnesotans. The council must have a majority of members who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind, and who are not employed by SSB. Meetings are bimonthly and currently offer the option of joining in-person or via Zoom. Per diem reimbursement is available.

Current SRC-B seats open for application:

• American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Projects Representative
• Industry Representative #2

Be part of the advisory body to provide recommendations for SSB services and programming. Click this link to complete and submit an online Open Appointments Application on the Secretary of State website.

Other Announcements: 

Webinar - Accessibility Considerations for Exterior Surfaces

The Great Lakes ADA Regional Center will host a webinar, The Bumpy Path Ahead: Accessibility Considerations for Exterior Surfaces. Presenters will cover the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Standards and special considerations to make sure outdoor surfaces are designed, installed, and maintained to be usable by people with disabilities. Individuals may submit questions in advance. Registration is free and required.

Date: Thursday, June 11th

Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm central time

Click this link to register for the webinar.

Participate in a Study for a New Mobile APP

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment Among People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision seeks participants for a study to design Be My Mentor, a new feature in the Be My Eyes mobile app that will connect people who are blind or have low vision with mentors for short, one-time career-focused sessions. For information on the study and questions, contact jboydstun@colled.msstate.edu

ERAF Webinar - Wednesday, June 17th

Discover how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more accessible 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. Registration required.

Date: Wednesday, June 17th 

Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm central time

Location: Online - Click here to register for the ERAF webinar.

Public Comment - WIOA Waiver 

The Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB), in consultation with the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), has posted a draft WIOA waiver request for public comment.

The waiver requests flexibility from the federal "unique representation" requirement under regulatory language related WIOA Section 101(b)(1)(C) and 20 CFR 679.110(b)–(c), which has been interpreted to require a separate GWDB member for the Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation program (Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind) in addition to the DEED Commissioner. Minnesota is requesting that the DEED Commissioner — the Governor-appointed head of DEED and lead state official with primary responsibility for all WIOA core programs, including Title IV — be permitted to satisfy that representation requirement rather than adding an additional DEED staff member as a voting member to GWDB. If granted, the waiver would cover Program Years 2026 and 2027 through June 30, 2028.

The draft waiver is available for review at Minnesota WIOA Landing Page.

Public comments will be accepted through June 17, 2026.

To submit a comment, email State.Plan.WIOA@state.mn.us.

All comments received during the comment period will be considered before the waiver is finalized and submitted.

In the News - Twin Cities Blind Sailing

Now's the perfect time to enjoy the Land of 10,000 Lakes. On Saturday, May 30th, CBS local news featured a spotlight on Twin Cities Blind Sailing. Their mission is to provide accessible sailing experiences in Minnesota for blind and low vision individuals of all ages that fosters independence, cultivates confidence, and strengthens community.

Click this link to watch the CBS segment on Twin Cities Blind Sailing.

Click this link to learn more about Twin Cities Blind Sailing.

Shop Local - Choose MN Initiative

Small businesses are vital to a strong Minnesota economy. A new initiative from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) encourages Minnesotans to rediscover the local restaurants, shops, products and services that make our communities vibrant and uniquely Minnesota.

Click this link to learn more about the Choose MN Initiative. 

DEED Job Posting - Language Access and Equal Opportunity Coordinator

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is hiring a Language Access and Equal Opportunity Coordinator to join the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

The coordinator will lead the assessment, design, implementation, and auditing of a comprehensive plan aimed at eliminating disparities in outcomes for the individuals we serve. They will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on resources, tools, strategies, and best practices for delivering equitable language access across programs, policies, and systems.

In addition to contributing high-level expertise, this position will play a key role in advancing DEED’s mission, vision, and strategic direction, while supporting the agency’s broader goals around diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. It’s a meaningful opportunity to expand access across Minnesota’s workforce system and make a significant impact statewide.

Apply by June 16th. Click this link to access the job posting for this exciting opportunity.

DeafBlind Technology and Training Access Program

Technology Training Access Program (TTAP) Grants are for Minnesotans living with combined hearing and vision loss. TTAP provides DeafBlind adults and families with DeafBlind children access to technology, equipment, training, and more to improve their independence, safety, and community access. 

Examples of equipment or services available through the program include:

• Independent living aids
• Magnifiers/CCTVs
• Hearing aids (when not covered by insurance)
• Signaling or alerting equipment
• Training on technology or communication strategies

To apply for the program or see if you are eligible, please contact:

Christy Leach, Program Manager

Phone: 612-272-5233

Email: Christy@yourfse.com

Accessibility Workaround Tip Sheet

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment Among People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision published a tipsheet on Accessibility Workarounds Recommended by Blind and Low Vision Workers (PDF). This tip sheet is based on findings from a five-year study of how assistive technology (AT) is used on the job, challenges employees experience, and gaps between the AT needed and what is available in workplaces. 

For Your Reading Pleasure

Here's some newsworthy articles to explore this month. Click the links below to access those that pique your interest.

New York Times: Blind Waymo Users Revel in the Joy of Riding Alone

Route Fifty Article: Disability Advocates Sue over Website Accessibility Delays

Disability Scoop: Tactile Museum Tour Lets Blind and Low-vision Visitors Decode History with their Hands.

NLS Summer Reading Program

The National Library Service's summer reading program kicks off on June 15th. This program is open to all and will have authors discussions, narrated soundscape tours of National Parks, recommendations on great titles to discover, and more. 

Registration for the 2026 NLS Summer Reading Program, presented in partnership with Braille Institute Library, is officially open, and they are excited to share what's in store this summer!

Please visit Braille Institute Library's Summer Reading Program landing page to find all the details and register: brailleinstitute.org/summer-reading-program/

Information on the series and the registration link can also be found on the NLS website: loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading/

This Summer's Theme

This year's theme is Unearth a Story — an invitation to explore the histories, landscapes, and voices hidden just beneath the surface of the world around us. At the heart of this year's programming is a deep focus on the National Parks Service and America's public lands, woven throughout an exploration of ecology, environment, and stewardship; human stories embedded in place; and the role of science, observation, and memory in how we understand the world around us.

What's Included

The program runs for 9 weeks, from June 15 through August 11, 2026, and features two exciting ways to participate:

Webinars 

Live conversations over Zoom with authors, artists, national park rangers, and other compelling voices.

• Kick off event on June 15^th at 1:00 PM PST
• The rest of the webinar sessions will be held every other Tuesday at 1:00 PM PST, starting June 16^th
• Patrons register once to access the entire series

Narrated Soundscapes 

A truly special collaboration between Braille Institute Library, National Parks Service Rangers, Library of Congress sound designers, and select NLS network librarians who narrated their own state's episode. A new Soundscape will be dropped on Braille Institute Library's Summer Reading Program page every other Monday, starting June 22nd. Once posted on webpage, each one stays available so patrons can explore at their own pace.

Click this link for more information on the NLS Summer Reading Program.

Protactile Foundations Training - June 12 & 13

Registration Open - NFB BELL Academy 

The NFB BELL Academy—which stands for National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning®—helps blind and low vision children develop the literacy skills that will empower them to achieve their academic goals and live the lives they want. 

NFB BELL Academy will take place at the Minnesota Waldorf School (70 County Road B, Saint Paul) July 13-24, 2026

Click this link to register or learn more about this summertime opportunity for blind and low vision youth.