{"id":9527,"date":"2026-05-22T11:18:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T16:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9527"},"modified":"2026-05-22T11:18:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T16:18:02","slug":"more-than-a-competition-minnesotas-first-cane-quest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9527","title":{"rendered":"More Than a Competition: Minnesota\u2019s First Cane Quest"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3698\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-9527-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<p><strong>Podcast Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Minnesota\u2019s first Cane Quest brought together students, families, teachers, orientation and mobility (O&amp;M) specialists, and volunteers for a day focused on confidence, independence, and real-world travel skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Students practiced tactile maps, cardinal directions, obstacle detection, stair travel, street crossings, and locating destinations using white cane techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Activities were designed for different ages, skill levels, and visual abilities, helping students grow through hands-on experiences and peer connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Parents attended informational sessions with experts in orientation and mobility and assistive technology, learning how to better support independence at home and school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Volunteers and instructors emphasized allowing students to lead, encouraging confidence and problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Paralympian and keynote speaker Max Nelson inspired students with his story of perseverance, independence, and self-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cane Quest celebrated more than competition\u2014it highlighted mobility, teamwork, community support, and the belief that blind and visually impaired students can achieve extraordinary goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8211; The Minnesota Cane Quest Planning Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Madi Ericksen,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkpath.org\/\">BrightWorks\/SparkPath<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colleen Feller,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkpath.org\/\">BrightWorks\/SparkPath<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jenny Pelletier, State Services for the Blind<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joya Musa, Minneapolis Public Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Allison Knigge, Minneapolis Public Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Links of interests:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/deed\/ssb\/teens\/news.jsp\">The Spectacle Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/deed\/ssb\/teens\/\">Youth Services at SSB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?page_id=9524\">Full Transcript<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3700\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-9527-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/CaneQuest2026.mp3 Podcast Summary: Minnesota\u2019s first Cane Quest brought together students, families, teachers, orientation and mobility (O&amp;M) specialists, and volunteers for a day focused on confidence, independence, and real-world travel skills. \u2022 Students practiced tactile maps, cardinal directions, obstacle detection, stair travel, street crossings, and locating destinations using white cane techniques. \u2022 Activities were designed for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9311,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"audio","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":[17,466,559],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-audio","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bapresents","category-mobility","category-ssb","post_format-post-format-audio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6rcRg-2tF","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9234,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9234","url_meta":{"origin":9527,"position":0},"title":"Orientation and Mobility: Building Confident Independence for Blind and Low Vision Students","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"November 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Orientation and mobility (O&M) gives blind and low vision students the skills to travel safely, confidently, and independently\u2014at home, at school, and beyond graduation. In this conversation hosted by State Services for the Blind (SSB), O&M specialists Jennifer Pelletier and Abdi Mumin, along with Transition Coordinator Shane DeSantis,\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":8666,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8666","url_meta":{"origin":9527,"position":1},"title":"Swing for the Fences: Building Confidence Through Orientation &amp; Mobility","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"April 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Meet Jenny Pelletier and Abdi Mumin, two passionate Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instructors who are helping blind and visually impaired students build confidence, independence, and street smarts\u2014one step at a time. In this episode, they share how mastering cane skills, navigating new environments, and embracing your journey can\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":9211,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9211","url_meta":{"origin":9527,"position":2},"title":"Minnesota Honors White Cane Day: Safety, Freedom, and a Future Without Limits","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"October 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: White Cane Day 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol was a celebration of pride, freedom, and possibility. Leaders, students, families, and blind, low vision, and deafblind Minnesotans gathered to affirm a simple truth: the white cane is not just a mobility tool \u2014 it is dignity, safety, 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":8642,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8642","url_meta":{"origin":9527,"position":3},"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":4039,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=4039","url_meta":{"origin":9527,"position":4},"title":"What Does White Cane Day Mean to You? Voices at the Capital 2018 (Transcript Provided)","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"October 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Show Summary: (Full Transcript Below) October 11\u00a0is White Cane Day in Minnesota and the Blindness community came out strong to support the awareness of the White Cane. Speakers shared the history of White Cane day and others talked about the freedom and independence the white cane brings to them. 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":[]},{"id":9354,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9354","url_meta":{"origin":9527,"position":5},"title":"Blind Abilities &#8211; The Musical: O&amp;M and the Scarlet letter B","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"January 31, 2026","format":"audio","excerpt":"Blind Abilities \u2013 The Musical: O&M and the Scarlet Letter B explores the deeply personal moment when a white cane shifts from symbol to tool, from stigma to freedom. 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