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All ages
DeafBlind Club
Deafblind Club is a community event open to anyone experiencing combined vision loss and hearing loss! ASL/Interpreting students, volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about the Deafblind community are also welcome!
When
Deafblind Club meets on the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event ends promptly at 2 p.m. and all rides (including Metro Mobility) should be scheduled for no later than 2 p.m. pick-up.
Where
St. Peder’s Lutheran Church, 4600 E 42nd St, Minneapolis MN 55406. Metro Mobility and other ride services should use the side-door entrance on the east side of the building. The event is fully accessible to those using wheelchairs and has a wheelchair accessible restroom on site.
DeafBlind Club contact information
Sammie Porter, Deafblind Community Specialist
Email Sammie: porters@dbsm.org
DeafBlind Consumer Directed Services (DBCDS)
Who qualifies
Adults and families with children who are deafblind who live in Minnesota and can
- make independent decisions,
- manage budget plans appropriately,
- complete agreements and reports promptly, and
- work with case managers effectively.
Program offers
Long-term services and supports, e.g., support service providers, training, equipment.
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services Deafblind Consumer Directed Services and Technology and Training Access Program grant
DeafBlind Consumer Directed Services contact information
A New Direction
Christy Leach
Email Christy Leach: christy@ANewDirection.info
Phone: 612-272-5233
A New Direction's website: anewdirection.info/
Minnesota Speaking DeafBlind Group (MSDBG)
Minnesota Speaking Deafblind Group (MSDBG) was created in April 2017 by rural speaking deafblind and is State Services grant supported.
- Mission: Outreach primarily to Greater Minnesota but welcomes all Minnesotans who are Speaking DeafBlind. Speaking DeafBlind means primary communication is speech, people who are hard of hearing and use assistive listening devices and are legally blind.
- Focus: To share resources and provide community support to the unserved and underserved SDB adults and family members.
- What is offered: SDB community connection is ONLY through subscription to MSDBG Host:
- MSDBGroup email support list.
- Monthly themed topic toll-free teleconference.
- Annual 24-hour retreat in St. Cloud.
- Subscribe to MSDBG by contacting MSDBG Host Adrienne Haugen (Ade):
iPhone: 320-522-0987 (V/Text)
Email Adrienne (Ade) Haugen: adrienne.haugen67@gmail.com
MSDBG contact information
MSDBG Host Adrienne (Ade) Haugen
Phone: 320-522-0987 (V/Text)
Email Adrienne (Ade) Haugen: adrienne.haugen67@gmail.com
MSDBG website: msdb-group.com
Specialized Deafblind Communication Training
Who qualifies
People who are deafblind, interpreters, interveners and support service providers.
What’s offered
Provide specialized deafblind communication training to individuals who are deafblind, interpreters, interveners and support service providers. Training is provided statewide.
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services Statewide DeafBlind Communication grant
Specialized DeafBlind Communication Training contact information
ASL Interpreting Services
Erin Bunting, Grant Manager
Email Erin: erin@aslis.com
Phone: 763-478-8963
ASLIS' DeafBlind Communication Training webpage: aslis.com/deafblind
Rehabilitation Services (Rehab)
Who qualifies
Typically people who have funding from State Services for the Blind (SSB) to take Rehab classes.
What’s offered
Training for people adjusting to vision loss. Training may include orientation, mobility, braille, cooking, keyboarding and technology skills and supports.
Funding
State Services for the Blind (SSB)
Rehab Services contact information
Vision Loss Resources (VLR)
Lauren Greeley, Rehabilitation Services Manager
Email Lauren: Lauren@vlrw.org
Phone: 612-843-3438
Vision Loss Resources website: visionlossresources.org
Technology and Training Access Program (TTAP)
Who qualifies
Adults and families with children who are deafblind, live in Minnesota and need technology or other equipment and/or training to become more self-sufficient.
Program offers
Equipment and/or training to help improve or maintain a person’s independence.
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services Technology and Training Access grant
TTAP contact information
A New Direction
Christy Leach
Email Christy: christy@ANewDirection.info
Phone: 612-272-5233
A New Direction's website: anewdirection.info/
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Birth to 21 or 22
Children, Youth and Family Services Program (CYFS)
Ages served
Birth-21
Who qualifies
People under the age of 21 with some combination of hearing and vision loss who live in Minnesota.
What’s offered
Intervener services, support, information, referral, training and advocacy for the parents of children who are deafblind
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services' DeafBlind support service provider and intervener grant
Children, Youth and Family Services contact information
DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM)
Kim Johnson, Children, Youth and Family Services Manager
Email Kim: kjohnson@dbsm.org
Phone: 612-843-3401
DBSM's website: visionlossresources.org/programs/dbsm/
Greater Minnesota LaunchPAD
Ages served
Birth-22
Who qualifies
Students (ages 0-22) who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing who live in Greater Minnesota and attend a Minnesota public school.
What’s offered
Culturally affirmative psychological assessments for students who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services' Psychological assessments for children and teens grant
BrightWorks LaunchPAD contact information
Deanna Rothbauer, Grant Manager
Email Deanna: deanna.rothbauer@brightworksmn.org
Phone: 612-638-1531
Brightworks LaunchPAD's webpage: brightworksmn.org/ProgramsServices/specialEducation/gmlaunchpad.html
MN DeafBlind Project
Ages served
Birth-22
Who qualifies
Must meet state special education criteria for both deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired through the IEP process.
For birth-age 3, must have identified both hearing and vision loss on the IFSP.
What’s offered
Information, resources and support for educational teams and families; intervener training series; workshops about deafblindness for schools and families; networking.
Funding
US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) grant
MN DeafBlind Project contact information
Ann Mayes, Statewide DeafBlind Specialist
Email Ann: ann.mayes@brightworksmn.org
Phone: 612-638-1527
Brandy Sebera, Family Engagement Coordinator
Email Brandy: brandy.sebera@brightworksmn.org
Phone: 612-638-1505
Deanna Rothbauer, Project Coordinator
Email Deanna: deanna.rothbauer@brightworksmn.org
Phone: 612-638-1531
MN DeafBlind Project's website: dbproject.mn.org
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6 and up
iCanConnect Minnesota, The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
Ages served
6 and up
Who qualifies
People with low income who have significant dual sensory loss (hearing and vision). iCC application has additional definition of deafblind and qualifications.
Program offers
Electronic communication devices, software, and accessories for access to distance communication.
Funding
Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
Contact information
Perkins School for the Blind
Heather Anderson
Email Heather: heather.icanconnect@gmail.com
Phone: 612-990-3834
ICanConnect's website: icanconnect.org/how-to-apply/minnesota
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14 and up
Helen Keller National Center
Ages served
14 and up
Who qualifies
People who have a combined hearing and vision loss. Depending on service, may also need to meet state criteria and the Helen Keller Act of 1967 eligibility for services.
What’s offered
Pre-employment transition services for ages 14-21, independent living skills and work-related training, job skills and job placement services.
Funding
State and Federal
Helen Keller National Center contact information
Kacie Weldy, Regional Services Coordinator
Email Kacie Weldy: kweldy@helenkeller.org
Helen Keller National Center's website: helenkeller.org/hknc/
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Ages served
14 and up
Who qualifies
Children teens and adults experiencing disabilities, vision loss and aging.
What’s offered
Coaching, training and occupational therapy. Technology support to help people experiencing vision loss, aging or disability harness the power of technology to live safer, more connected lives.
Funding
May have fees or require insurance payment
Lighthouse Center contact information
309 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: 218-624-4828
Fax: 218-624-4479
Email Lighthouse Center: info@lcfvl.org
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living’s website: lcfvl.org
State Services for the Blind, Workforce Development Unit (WDU)
Ages served
14 and up
Who qualifies
People who want to work, and have a significant vision loss, defined as:
- Central visual acuity of 20/60 or less in the best corrected eye.
- Absence of 1 full quadrant of binocular visual field.
- Progressive loss of visual acuity.
What’s offered
Counseling, work related training, job skills, and job placement services.
Funding
State and Federal
DEED SSB Workforce Development Unit contact information
Sarah Kreiling, Rehabilitation Counselor Supervisor
Email Sarah Kreiling: Sara.L.Kreiling@state.mn.us
SSB's Workforce Development website: mn.gov/deed/ssb/jobseekers/overview
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18 and up
Adult Community Services Program (ACS)
Ages served
18 and up, if not on a school IEP
Who qualifies
Adults with medically verified hearing and vision loss that makes it hard to gather information from the environment, who would benefit from strategies and skills to access that information.
What’s offered
Support Service Providers for adults
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services' DeafBlind support service provider and intervener grant
DBSM contact information
Matthew Priebe, Adult Community Services Manager
Email Matt Priebe: priebem@dbsm.org
Phone: 612-843-3426
DBSM's website: visionlossresources.org/programs/dbsm/
Minnesota DeafBlind Association (MDBA)
Ages served
18 and up
Who qualifies
Adults
What’s offered
MDBA is committed to providing information, education, advocacy, and other services to persons who are DeafBlind, family members, and professionals.
Funding
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services' DeafBlind education and community engagement grant
MDBA contact information
1821 University Avenue West, Suite S-17, St. Paul, MN 55104
Email MDBA: mdba@visi.com
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Older adults
State Services for the Blind, Senior Services Unit (SSU)
Ages served
Older adults, or any age if retired or unable to work
Who qualifies
People who have a severe visual impairment that:
- Makes it hard to work,
- Have feasible independent living goals,
- Are 18 years of age or older, and whose school district is not legally obligated to provide them independent living services.
What’s offered
Counseling, training and referrals to help older adults adapt to vision changes and improve their quality of life and ability to live independently.
Funding
State and Federal
Contact information
DEED SSB Senior Service Unit
Ed Lecher, Unit Supervisor
Email Ed Lecher: Edward.lecher@state.mn.us
Phone: 651-539-2324
Senior Service Unit's webpage: mn.gov/deed/ssb/seniors
