By Jennifer Dunnam

At a luncheon on November 6, 2008, the Minnesota State Council on Disability presented Joyce Scanlan with its Minnesota Award. Each year the Council gives this award to someone who has worked to enhance the empowerment and employment of individuals with disabilities. Joyce has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the world of work and made significant contributions that increase public awareness of Minnesotans with disabilities, particularly those who are blind.

Joyce Scanlan was elected to the presidency of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota in 1973. During that same year, Governor Wendell Anderson appointed her as one of the first members of the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities. She served on the Council for ten years, representing the interests of blind people among all the various disabilities with which the Council deals.

Under Joyce’s leadership, the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota grew from a mostly-elderly membership focused on an out-dated housing program for a few blind people, to a diverse, statewide, and highly visible consumer organization focused on security, equality, and opportunity for all people who are blind. Today the Federation has local chapters in most large communities throughout Minnesota and works actively to educate all sectors of the public about the true capabilities of blind people.

Improving rehabilitation services has been one major focus of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. Until 1985, Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) was an unofficial division of the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), reflecting an attitude that blind people would be more likely to receive a public dole than to gain employment. Although many of the SSB staff did not subscribe to this attitude, they were hampered by the focus of the department. In 1985, Joyce led negotiations with the legislature, DPW, and the Department of Economic Security (DES) to move SSB to DES and make it a legal division. That move not only transferred SSB from a welfare-oriented department to one focused on employment, but it provided protection to the unique programs of services to the blind.

Seeing a serious need to improve options for rehabilitation for blind people in Minnesota, Joyce was the driving force behind the founding of Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), Incorporated, in 1986, and the beginning of its operation in 1988. Starting with just a few staff, two students, and operating out of a two-bedroom apartment as office and classroom, Joyce launched a new rehabilitation program employing the positive attitudes toward blindness that is the hallmark of the NFB. This organizational development required establishing a new non-profit corporation; locating and remodeling classroom and office space; acquiring an establishment grant from State Services for the Blind; hiring and training new staff; and conducting outreach to the blind community. The search for permanent space culminated in the purchase and renovation of the former Pillsbury Mansion in south Minneapolis. Joyce served as BLIND Incorporated’s first executive director from 1987 until her retirement in 2003. Thousands of students’ lives have been changed as a result of the positive philosophy of the program, and the standards of rehabilitation for blind Minnesotans have been raised. Today, as all throughout its 20-year history, BLIND, Incorporated attracts national recognition as a leader in rehabilitation services and helps its students gain the skills and confidence they need to live independent, full, and productive lives. Its graduates are empowered to compete in the world of work, and they generally achieve high-quality employment.

Joyce has dedicated much of her life to improving opportunities for people who are blind in Minnesota and everywhere, working tirelessly and vigilantly throughout the decades for high-quality education, rehabilitation, and employment. While championing the larger issues needing attention, she is also quick to give help and encouragement to individuals whenever needed in large and small ways. She has written thought-provoking articles and undeniable calls to action; taught countless people of all ages to do everything from leading a meeting to cooking a meal; mentored many in the ways of advocacy and politics; raised the tough questions that ultimately succeeded in getting things done; and led the way by her strong leadership and by her example.

Joyce did not run for re-election as president of the NFB of Minnesota in 2007, but she remains active as ever on all levels. This year she led the planning and execution of Minnesota’s first-ever Possibilities Fair for blind seniors, where senior citizens who are losing vision had the chance to get a good introduction to the types of techniques and services available to help them remain independent and productive. She also now teaches classes to seniors, who make up the most rapidly growing segment of people with vision loss. The classes provide a more in-depth opportunity for the seniors to learn useful nonvisual skills, to develop positive attitudes, and to meet successful blind role models.

In recognition of these achievements, the Council presented Joyce with a plaque in the shape of the state of Minnesota with the following inscription:

THE MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL

ON DISABILITY

Celebrates 35 Years of Service.

The Minnesota State Council

On Disability

Presents the

2008

MINNESOTA AWARD

To:

Joyce Scanlan

For outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to individuals living with a disability in Minnesota.

Signed Joan Willshire, Executive Director, David Schwartzkopf, Chair.