Career Fair Highlights Disability
Are you an employer seeking a more diverse and disability inclusive workforce?
Are you a qualified, talented college student, recent graduate or adult job seeker?
Consider attending the Disability:IN Minnesota’s INclusive Career Fair!
Career Fair details:
- Date: Friday, November 15, 2019
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- Location: University of Minnesota – McNamara Alumni Center
More information at di-mn.org.
Why Hiring People with Disabilities Improves the Bottom Line
At SSB, we know that every day, blind, DeafBlind and visually impaired Minnesotans are bringing skills, experience, talent, and dedication to Minnesota businesses. A recent opinion piece in the Star Tribune by Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove makes the business case for hiring Minnesotans with disabilities.
“There are lots of reasons employers are hiring people with disabilities, and all of them are helping improve their bottom line.,” Commissioner Gove writes.
“People with disabilities have been solving problems their whole life,” said disability programs coordinator Ken Rodgers of MnDOT, who is blind. “Bringing that mind-set to the workforce is incredibly valuable.”
Commissioner Grove concludes by saying, “Opportunities to improve your business while also improving access to opportunities for people who live with disabilities is a win-win. We encourage more and more businesses to take advantage of this unique workforce. With acute workforce shortages across our economy, now is the time.”
The commissioner’s article also includes some practical guidance and best practices. Great to pass along to hiring managers and business owners. Read the full article at startribune.com.
Learn More About Working with SSB to Find Your Next Great Job
This Blind Abilities podcast features SSB’s Business Relations Specialist Pam Gowan, who gives lots of practical tips for job seekers. She also details the process of working with our Workforce team to find the job that’s right for you. Pam shares her knowledge as she prepares to retire, having worked with thousands of blind, DeafBlind, and visually impaired Minnesotans in her storied career. This and many other great podcasts are available with full transcripts at BlindAbilities.com, or wherever you get your podcasts!
If you, or someone you know, has a vision loss and is looking to find a job, or keep the job they have, give our intake coordinator a call at 651-539-2343.
Do You Love to Read? Consider a Gift to the Communication Center
“We’ll keep you reading,” is the unofficial slogan of SSB’s Communication Center. Every year, more than 13,000 Minnesotans turn to the Communication Center for access to newspapers, magazines, textbooks, professional publications, book club selections, and more. If you believe, as we do, that access to information is critical to independence, empowerment, and success, then consider a gift to the Communication Center on or before Give to the Max Day, November 14, 2019! Read all about our work, and support access and equality by going to our page on GiveMN.org. Your support is what makes us “Minnesota’s Accessible Reading Source!”
Because You Count, Commit to Be Counted
The 2020 Census will be launching soon, collecting general demographic information about our population. “The data collected by the 2020 census are critical for states, counties, and communities. They will shape many facets of everyday life here in Minnesota.”
“Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau works to count every person in the United States, including everyone living in Minnesota. The resulting count will guide the distribution of billions of dollars to Minnesota’s communities, determine political representation for the next decade, and provide data that shapes how Minnesota’s policymakers and business leaders decide to invest public and private resources.”
Learn all about the Census, including information on good jobs now available by visiting mn.gov/admin/2020-census/. Then follow the link to commit to be counted.
More Minnesota Publications On NFB-NEWSLINE, Plus, Minnesota Shopping Ads
SSB’s Communication Center makes the NFB-NEWSLINE available to any Minnesotan with a disability that makes reading print difficult. The service provides access to more than 300 national and international newspapers, magazines, and other publications. You can access the newsline by phone or through an iOS or Android app.
New Minnesota publications have recently been added to the newsline, and you can now find weekly shopping ads specific to Minnesota.
Minnesota publications include:
- Associated Press Minnesota
- Duluth News Tribune
- Minneapolis City Pages
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
- Rochester Post Bulletin
- Saint Cloud Times
- Saint Paul Pioneer Press
You can find these publications, and the shopping ads under the Minnesota section in the publication options. Learn more about this and other services from the Communication Center by calling 1-800-722-
Contact Your State Services
If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Transition Coordinator Sheila Koenig by email or contact her via phone at 651-539-2361.
To find your State Services in your State you can go to www.AFB.org and search the directory for your agency.
Contact:
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