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The Spectacle-Dare to stand outNovember 2016Just for Fun “Chances are you've watched at least one TED or TEDx talk in your lifetime. Throughout TED's three core focuses of technology, entertainment, and design, thousands of subject matter experts from all corners of the globe have shared their ideas and expertise with eager audiences since the 1980s.Some of the most inspiring TED and TEDx talks in recent memory have come, not surprisingly, from Millennials. After all, the Millennial generation is now the largest chunk of our workforce and is tasked with solving our exponentially challenging problems as a society.” (Chirag Kulkarni, co-founder and CEO, Insightfully)Featuring “Why we need to talk about depression,” “How one teenager unearthed baseball’s untold history,” “What is the point, really?” and many more inspiring talks. Talks by Brilliant Kids and Teens from scientists, musicians, innovators, activists -- all under the age of 20.Featuring: “Yup, I built a nuclear fusion reactor,” “A warrior’s cry against child marriage,” “a 12-year old app developer,” and more!Upcoming and OngoingSchool year programs for teensNew school year programs have just begun, and you can still join! Both BLIND, Incorporated and the Duluth Center for Vision Loss now offer programs during the school year that extend learning and skill-building opportunities for teens. Information about each program can be found at the end of this newsletter. Please contact your SSB counselor to participate in these programs. November 3 seminar for high school studentsOn Thursday, November 3, State Services will host a dinner and workshop for high school students who are thinking about college as an option. Topics will include learning about the process of filing for financial aid, working with college disability offices, and finding internships and jobs on campus. If you know a high school senior who might be interested, please email Sheila.Koenig@state.mn.us to register.Teen Magazines Available Many options exist for accessing magazines for teens. SSB’s Communication Center offers Teen Ink and Teen Graffiti. Both are written by and for teens. Give us a call at 651-539-1422 to order your free copy today.NFB-NEWSLINE also offers a variety of choices, some of which include: ESPN, PC World, Poets and Writers, Rolling Stone, and Teen Vogue. Even more magazines can be found by accessing Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) through National Library Service. A sampling of magazines available are Asimov’s Science Fiction, Boy’s Life, Ebony, National Geographic, People, Seventeen, and Sports Illustrated. If you are not already signed up for NFB-NEWSLINE or BARD, simply call 1-800-722-0550.PodcastsBlind Abilities, a source for interesting and informative podcasts, is now on Victor Stream’s recommended list. Hear SSB’s transition counselor Ashlyn Cahill talking about the move from high school to work or college, as well as college financial aid College/Career series for high school students is publishing a series on Jaws Commands using Word. It is called Keyboard Ninja, and the first 2 episodes are focused on formatting and headings.An upcoming podcast will feature Dr. Mona Minkara, PHD., a professor teaching chemistry at the University of Minnesota. There is also a new dictation podcast demonstrating the pros and cons of using dictation on a smart phone. For more information and to listen to podcasts, visit Tech TidbitComing out soon is the Orbit Reader 20 refreshable Braille display.? This is a 20 cell display with basic stand-alone note taking and reading capabilities for around $500, much cheaper than most other devices of similar size.? Nearby Explorer is now available for IOS, in addition to Android.? It includes features for identifying nearby points of interest and routes, and features on-board maps.? On-board maps means that you don’t need an Internet connection for navigation.? If you do have a data connection, additional map and POI information will be available.? New Ways to Partner A federal law called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is reshaping some of the services we provide and how we partner with others. It requires that all students with disabilities receive Pre-Employment Transition Services in five areas: job exploration, work-based learning, post-secondary options, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy. The goal is to help students gain skills, level the playing field, and find the jobs they want. Many educators and rehabilitation professionals are working together to create programs and services for students. By working as a team, we can help students honor their own voices and gain the skills they need for life after high school. Throughout the year in this newsletter, we will provide examples in each of the five areas. Job Exploration CounsellingInterest and skill inventoriesInformational InterviewsFinding specific information about the desired jobFast Forward: Possibilities and Potential:Sam JasmineThis month, we hear from an entrepreneur who followed some great advice to create a life that she loves. Here is what Sam says:My name is Sam Jasmine. I teach Braille, keyboarding, and technology for people who are visually impaired and or deaf. I have been doing this job about 20 years. Before this, I held jobs as a switchboard operator, worked as a teacher's assistant in a day care, and worked in the credit division at Dayton Hudson Stores. I finally took the advice of someone wise who said there was nothing like working for yourself, so I started learning more technology to teach it. I also co-developed and now produce an accessible talking dartboard. In my off time, I love spending time with my two boys, playing darts, power walking with my guide dog, running a radio show, and playing in the water.There is no one technique or strategy that works for everyone. I also believe success has a different meaning for each individual, and one must continuously work at that. Here are some of the things I have tried. Ask for what you want or need, you are the best judge of that. You won't always get it, but sometimes you will. Try to make things as accessible for yourself as possible. This will promote independence. Being independent will improve your opportunities in both your job world and your personal one. Don't be afraid to try something new, like a new job, class, or learning something. You may not be successful at all you do, but you will learn from each thing you do. What you do with that knowledge can help build confidence, give you experience and teach you a lot about yourself and what you want to achieve in life.What can students with a vision loss begin doing now in order to prepare for the future?Get to know yourself. Stay true to yourself but don't be afraid to read and learn more about the world. Yes, there is life after high school. Make sure the boundaries you put on yourself are ones that are of your own choosing and not ones that others put on you. Use your technology to its fullest extent. Students now have more technology than ever and with that can come opportunity. Take it and run with it. I am amazed and envious of what high schoolers have now, and often find myself saying, "If I had only had this when I was going to school. . . ." I realize this statement is probably what gets said each generation. So, using your resources well will benefit you in the future. There have always been visually impaired or blind people who have done great things. However, with technology making endless improvements on things, there is the ability for great things to be done by not just a select few, but by anyone who chooses to take that leap.“Building BRIDGEs”As students navigate the world of high school and begin thinking about the future, we offer services and resources that provide a foundation for success. Each of the core areas of our BRIDGE framework highlights an essential component that teenagers need in order to succeed after high school: Basic SkillsRole ModelsInitiativeDiscoveryGoal SettingExperiencesIn this same framework, we offer resources for parents and educators. Basic Skills: “Laundry 101: Tips and Tricks from a Blindness Perspective” Role Models: Reflections from a high school graduate: Michelle’s Story Initiative: A Step-By-Step Approach to Getting Involved Discovery: CAREERwise-pathways, clusters, interest inventories, and finding your future. setting” Using the model of a compass, this website details 8 mindsets to help teens set goals. Experiences: Looking for your first job? Many options don’t require experience. Transition TimelineFreshman Timeline Sophomore Timeline Junior Timeline Senior Timeline Ideas?We are always looking for ideas you’d like to see featured in this newsletter. Please email Sheila.Koenig@state.mn.us with any suggestions or brainstorms. Information on School Year Programs for TeensBlindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc. is pleased to announce 2016-2017 school-year programs for blind or low vision high school students 14-21 years of age. These programs are offered at no cost to students or their families. Transition: Employment, Advocacy, Mentoring and Skills (TEAMS) Program: TEAMS offers individualized instruction to teach students the skills they need to be successful after high school. In “TEAM Exploration” students will learn fundamental independent living skills, job readiness skills, and skills in building self-confidence. More experienced high school students can join “TEAM Employment” to put those skills into practice by volunteering in the community or obtaining a part-time job. This program will be offered on the 1st and 3rd Saturday October-May.The Transition Trail Outreach Program: This program is designed to reach students and families who reside outside the metro area by bringing transition-themed programming to different areas in the state. We provide hands-on transition instruction and activities designed to increase personal independence and enhance self-confidence. All programs include fun-filled social and recreational activities that allow students to meet others who are blind or low vision. Please contact BLIND, Inc. at (612) 872-0100 or info@ for more information or to receive an application!Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss: School Year Transition ProgramTo empower students with vision loss to learn skills needed for future success and independence – the Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss offers flexible programming during the school year.The School Year Transition program includes remote training sessions scheduled around a student’s school day. Each student is issued a computer at the start of the program to join in weekly training sessions throughout the year. Assignments help students practice skills covered through training sessions on their own, with family, and in their own community.Training session topics include employment and college readiness, self-advocacy, mobility, technology, independent living and much more!In addition to the remote training sessions, mini-camps bring students together at the Lighthouse for more in-depth training and an opportunity to connect with peers over a few weekends during the year. Monthly parent meetings are also offered to help families learn more about topics being covered through the program. Students ages 14-21 with vision loss who are working towards earning their high school degree are invited to enroll. For more information on the 2016-2017 School Year Transition Program visit or call (218) 624-4828.Students at the Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss ................
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