{"id":8267,"date":"2024-05-28T16:43:16","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T21:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8267"},"modified":"2026-02-25T08:48:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:48:13","slug":"peer-to-peer-with-maddy-and-amy-an-introduction-to-the-peer-ambassadors-for-transition-age-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8267","title":{"rendered":"Peer\u00a0\u00a0to Peer with Maddy and Amy: An Introduction to the Peer Ambassadors for Transition Age Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_9805\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8267-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Podcast Summary:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?page_id=8269\">Full Transcript<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maddy and Amy are SSB students conducting peer-to-peer programming for students across the state for instruction on various topics of interest for visually impaired students. They are also available to meet with others one-on-one for peer discussion and will be planning virtual and in-person group activities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meet Addy and Amy as they talk about their schooling and leadership roles as Peer Ambassadors at State Services for the Blind (SSB) in Minnesota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&nbsp;&nbsp;are some upcoming events mentioned in the podcast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Student Meet Up: Come join us on&nbsp;<strong>Thursday, May 30th<\/strong>, to hang out and connect! We\u2019ll get to know each other and talk about summer plans\/activities! We will meet over&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoomgov.com\/j\/1601909566?pwd=TVJKTkFwUkJrKzZqZmZtWG9WNWY2Zz09\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom<\/a>&nbsp;from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore golfing on\u00a0<strong>Monday, June 17<\/strong>, at Oak Marsh Golf Course.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/deed\/ssb\/about\/news\/index.jsp?id=1045-625221\">Learn more<\/a>.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three-day, two-night camping experience with Wilderness Inquiry &#8211; August 13, 14, 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twincitiesblindsailing.org\/youth-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twin Cities Blind Sailing<\/a>&nbsp;&#8211; Youth Camps starting June 1st &#8211;&nbsp;please contact Katy Boyd at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:kboyd@twincitiesblindsailing.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kboyd@twincitiesblindsailing.org<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;TwinCitiesBlindSailing.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acbconvention.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Council for the Blind Convention<\/a>&nbsp;in Jacksonville Florida July 5th through July 12&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nfb.org\/get-involved\/national-convention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Federation for the Blind National Convention<\/a>&nbsp;in Orlando, Florida. July 3rd through July 8th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two baseball opportunities:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/playballmn.leagueapps.com\/events\/4170799-2024-beep-ball-clinic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota Twins Beep Ball Clinic<\/a>&nbsp;June 15th<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/playballmn.leagueapps.com\/events\/4159602-2024-pbw-deafdeafblind-and-hard-of-hearing-clinic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Clinic<\/a>&nbsp;June 15th<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find all this information and links on the web at&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/mn.gov\/deed\/ssb\/teens\/\">mn.gov\/deed\/ssb\/teens\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Contact State Services for the Blind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Pre-ETS Program and Transition Services Coordinator Shane&nbsp;DeSantis&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/584A186A-6B46-45D0-B5B2-A2EC78AD6E01\/shane.desantis@state.mn.us\">email<\/a>&nbsp;or 651-358-5205.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for listening!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_9807\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8267-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/PeerAmbassadors1.mp3 Podcast Summary: Full Transcript Maddy and Amy are SSB students conducting peer-to-peer programming for students across the state for instruction on various topics of interest for visually impaired students. They are also available to meet with others one-on-one for peer discussion and will be planning virtual and in-person group activities! Meet Addy and Amy [&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":[263,550,559],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college","category-peer-ambassadors","category-ssb"],"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-29l","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8642,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8642","url_meta":{"origin":8267,"position":0},"title":"Peer Perspectives: How SSB Helps Students Build Independence and Explore Careers","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"March 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: This Blind Abilities episode features peer ambassadors Amy and Maddy, who share how Minnesota\u2019s State Services for the Blind (SSB) has supported their educational and vocational journeys. 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":8334,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8334","url_meta":{"origin":8267,"position":1},"title":"Welcome to SSB!","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"July 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Full Transcript In this episode, Peer Ambassadors, Amy and Maddy, introduce themselves and share their personal journeys, detailing how they became connected with State Services for the Blind (SSB). They discuss the support and guidance they received from SSB counselors, including the benefits of having counselors attend IEP\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Career&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Career","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=373"},"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":9069,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9069","url_meta":{"origin":8267,"position":2},"title":"Cruising Through Summer: Next Exit\u2014College","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"July 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Buckle up for a mid-summer check-in with Peer Ambassadors Amy and Maddy as they reflect on the adventures, growth, and unexpected moments that shaped their summer\u2014and look ahead to the college road just around the bend. From leading mock interviews and connecting with students through Zoom sessions, to\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":8496,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8496","url_meta":{"origin":8267,"position":3},"title":"From High School to College: Navigating Accommodations and Independence &#8211; Meet the College 101 Panelists, Amy, Arianna, and Maddy","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"November 30, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Podcast Summary: In the \u201cCollege 101\u201d webinar hosted by State Services for the Blind of Minnesota, three students, Amy, Arianna, and Maddy, shared their experiences transitioning from high school to college. They discussed the importance of self-advocacy, managing accommodations like extended test times, and utilizing assistive technologies such\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;College&quot;","block_context":{"text":"College","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=263"},"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":9265,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9265","url_meta":{"origin":8267,"position":4},"title":"Introducing Ava : Two Paths, One Team: Meet the Peer Ambassadors of State Services for the Blind","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"December 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: In this Blind Abilities episode, listeners meet Ava, a fully blind high school junior and Peer Ambassador with State Services for the Blind of Minnesota. Ava shares what it\u2019s like balancing a packed academic schedule filled with AP and college-in-the-schools classes, while staying involved in speech, music, and\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":9271,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9271","url_meta":{"origin":8267,"position":5},"title":"Introducing Preston : Two Paths, One Team: Meet the Peer Ambassadors of State Services for the Blind","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"December 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: What does it look like to be a blind high school student who\u2019s busy, motivated, and dreaming big? In this episode of Blind Abilities, meet Preston\u2014a 15-year-old sophomore, honors and AP student, award-winning speech and debate competitor, musician, and newly selected Peer Ambassador with State Services for the\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":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8267"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8267\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8277,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8267\/revisions\/8277"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}