Editor's Introduction

We are pleased to present this long-overdue issue of the Minnesota Bulletin! This publication has long documented the activities of our organization and shared a positive message of blindness through stories from the lives of individuals and from our collective experience. Although some time has passed since the last issue, activities of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota have continued apace. Here are just some of the highlights of what we have been up to since the Summer 2022 issue of the Minnesota Bulletin.

  • Our affiliate joined many others in supporting the establishment of the Museum of the Blind People's Movement by contributing $50,000. This museum will center blind people, challenge expectations, awaken understanding, spark action, and shatter barriers.
  • We conducted NFB-BELL® Academies in the Twin Cities. These summer programs provide blind and low vision children with Braille and nonvisual skills instruction through fun, hands-on learning activities—helping to prepare these children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want. The next one will take place in June 2025!
  • We participated in a celebration of the 100 years of existence of Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) in June of 2023. Steve Jacobson, who was then our state president, delivered a presentation about the eventful and crucial history of the relationship of the organized blind movement with Minnesota's rehabilitation agency, and about the importance of that relationship into the future.
  • We began holding our Walk for Opportunity in person again in the Metro area in 2022—and we held it in Rochester in 2024. As one of our largest fundraisers, the Walk for Opportunity helps not only to raise funds for our movement but also to raise expectations of blind people. We enjoyed working together to build our organization in the beautiful outdoors! This year’s walk is in the Metro area on September 6!
  • Our adjustment-to-blindness training center suspended operations at the end of 2023. It has since been renamed Minnesota Center for the Blind (MCB) and is working to re-imagine itself for the future. A new owner purchased the Charles S. Pillsbury mansion in April of 2025. MCB hosted a seminar for teachers of blind students at the 2024 annual state convention, and it will hold activities at the national convention this summer.
  • After years of advocacy work, we achieved passage of legislation preventing limitations on custody, parenting time, or adoption of a child on the basis of a parent's blindness or other disability. The legislation also sets out a legal framework to ensure that, when parental rights are limited for other reasons, discrimination because of disability is not permitted.
  • We also helped pass a bill requiring that braille or large print labels be made available by pharmacies on prescription drugs by January 1, 2026. Until then, if a pharmacy does not yet have the technological capacity to provide the label in large print or braille, the pharmacy is to direct patients to a list of pharmacies who can provide such labels.
  • We helped prevent the loss of rideshare options in the Twin Cities and beyond by telling our stories far and wide about the importance of reliable and affordable transportations for our lives and livelihoods. See the president’s column later in this issue.
  • At each of our annual state conventions, we have presented our Joyce and Tom Scanlan scholarships to well-deserving blind college students in a variety of fields of study.
  • In partnership with SSB, our seniors' division held a Possibilities Fair in 2024, where seniors who may be new to blindness had the opportunity to learn about resources and meet experienced blind people who could answer their questions and help them find hope and practical information.
  • Of course, we have continued to participate actively in national NFB conventions, the Washington Seminar, a national winter retreat for blind seniors, and regional seminars for blind students. We have also been integrally involved in numerous activities around Minnesota, including a career fair for youth, a new regional Braille Challenge competition where braille-reading children can advance to the national level, and more.
  • Our chapters, divisions, and interest groups continue to meet regularly and to serve as important resources for all who attend.

In the following pages, you'll find more details about our activities, as individuals and working together, to raise expectations about blindness and transform lives for the better. We thrive because of active participation from so many who believe in blind people.