{"id":5811,"date":"2020-04-14T10:44:43","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T15:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=5811"},"modified":"2020-04-15T10:31:07","modified_gmt":"2020-04-15T15:31:07","slug":"level-up-a-new-online-workshop-series-for-high-school-transition-age-students-with-topics-ranging-from-self-advocacy-self-determination-positive-self-talk-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=5811","title":{"rendered":"Level Up \u2013 A New Online Workshop Series for High School Transition Age Students with Topics Ranging From Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination, Positive Self-Talk and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_5344\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-5811-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3\">http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?page_id=5816\">Full Transcript<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Show Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Transition Coordinator, Sheila Koenig, joined Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio to introduce us to the new workshop series, \u201cLevel Up\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SSB is excited to launch a new opportunity for students to connect with peers and learn about self-advocacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. CST we will begin our series \u201cLevel Up: Learning Self-Advocacy through Music, Movies, &amp; More\u201d. Most of us learned about self-advocacy the hard way- through difficult experiences and personal set-backs. Here\u2019s a chance to learn about self-advocacy the fun way. We\u2019ll draw on movie clips, songs, and lots more to demonstrate, in an engaging way, the tools people use to take control of their futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an 8-week phone\/virtual series. Topics include&nbsp;&nbsp;self-determination, positive self-talk, motivation, problem-solving, and more. This is a free series open to students in high school with a vision loss. Students do not need to be connected to SSB to participate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to get call-in information, students should send an email to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:Sheila.Koenig@state.mn.us\">Sheila.Koenig@state.mn.us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join us for this creative and interactive workshop series that will help you learn to \u201cLevel Up\u201d to your best self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Your State Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Transition Coordinator Sheila Koenig by&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:Sheila.Koenig@state.mn.us\">email<\/a>&nbsp;or contact her via phone at 651-539-2361.<br>To find your State Services in your State you can go to&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.afb.org\/directory.aspx\">www.AFB.org<\/a>&nbsp;and search the directory for your agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Contact:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for listening!<br>You can follow us on Twitter&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/blindabilities\">@BlindAbilities<\/a><br>On the web at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/\">www.BlindAbilities.com<\/a><br>Send us an&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@BlindAbilities.com\">email<\/a><br>Get the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/blind-abilities\/id1085849859?l=es&amp;mt=8\">Free Blind Abilities App&nbsp;on the App Store<\/a>and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.blindabilities.android.blind&amp;hl=en_US\">Google Play Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/607027582712671\/\">Blind Abilities Community<\/a>on Facebook, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlindAbilities\/\">Blind Abilities Page<\/a>, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/193468111470902\/\">Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impair<\/a>ed, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/assistivetechnologyfortheblind\/\">Assistive Technology Community for the Blind and Visually Impaired<\/a>. and the Facebook group&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/713348719052232\/?source_id=257778904388389\">That Blind Tech Show<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_5346\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-5811-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3\">http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/LevelUp.mp3 Full Transcript Show Summary Transition Coordinator, Sheila Koenig, joined Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio to introduce us to the new workshop series, \u201cLevel Up\u201d. SSB is excited to launch a new opportunity for students to connect with peers and learn about self-advocacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. CST we will begin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[263,514,512],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college","category-transcribed","category-tvitoolbox"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6rcRg-1vJ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8540,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8540","url_meta":{"origin":5811,"position":0},"title":"Advocacy in Action: Stories of Persistence and Change","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"December 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Full Transcript This episode of Blind Abilities highlights the inspiring journeys of three individuals\u2014Judy Sanders, Janet Dickelman, and Ben Zheng\u2014who exemplify advocacy in action. Judy recounts her pioneering efforts to challenge discriminatory policies in education and airline seating. Janet reflects on self-advocacy from her school days and her\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4068,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=4068","url_meta":{"origin":5811,"position":1},"title":"Self-Advocacy, Self-Awareness and the ADA &#8211; A Visit with PACER Center\u2019s Transition Coordinator Deborah Leuchovius (Transcript provided)","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"November 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Below Show Summary: In partnership with State Services for the Blind of Minnesota we are proud to present, PACER Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities: Self-Advocacy, Self-Awareness and the ADA - A Visit with PACER Center\u2019s Transition Coordinator Deborah Leuchovius Deborah sits down with Jeff Thompson of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3858,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=3858","url_meta":{"origin":5811,"position":2},"title":"Learning the Skill of Self-Advocacy: Meet PACER Center&#8217;s Transition and Employment Specialist Erika Theiler (Transcript Provided)","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"August 21, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Learning the Skill of Self-Advocacy: Meet PACER Center's Transition and Employment Specialist Erika Theiler Full Transcript Below PACER Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities: A Visit with National Parents Center on Transition and Employment Specialist Erika Theiler In partnership with State Services for the Blind of Minnesota we are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9110,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9110","url_meta":{"origin":5811,"position":3},"title":"A Spark for Success: Empowering Youth to Step Into Their Future","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"August 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: In this Blind Abilities podcast, Jeff Thompson speaks with Laila Nachar, the Multiple Systems and Pathways Navigator at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota. 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From summer camps to career exploration and technology training, SSB has played a vital role in helping them develop independence, self-advocacy,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9496,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9496","url_meta":{"origin":5811,"position":5},"title":"From Possibility to Pathway: Building Futures Through Pre-ETS","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"April 18, 2026","format":"audio","excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Across the country, students who are blind, deafBlind, or low vision are asking big questions about their future\u2014and in Minnesota, those questions are turning into real opportunities. 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