[MN-at-Large] The 10,000 Dreams Newsletter: The Resilient Edition

[David Andrews]

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>The 10,000 Dreams Newsletter
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>The Resilient Edition
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>Fellow Federationists:
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>The calendar tells me there are only 23 days left in the year 2020. 
>While I will not be sad to see the end of this challenging year, I 
>realize that there's also been unexpected innovations that have come 
>out of the problems created by the pandemic. Virtual platforms 
>enable many people to attend our events who may have otherwise found 
>it challenging for health or logistical reasons. National convention 
>saw world-wide, record-breaking attendance. The increased 
>willingness of companies to allow remote workers could create even 
>more employment opportunities for blind people. None of these negate 
>the hardships many are facing. But it does remind me that humans can 
>display incredible resilience when faced with extraordinary 
>circumstances. These lessons are worth carrying into the future as 
>we continue on our mission to empower blind people in Minnesota. 
>Thank you for your agility, patience, and innovative spirits.
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>Warmly,
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>Ryan
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>News You Should Know
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>COVID-19 Resources Now Available for Blind Minnesotans
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>As case numbers continue to rise around the state, it's vital that 
>everyone has access to accurate information and a connection to 
>helpful resources. Here are a few places to start when you need your 
>questions answered.
>    * COVID-19 Hotline: BLIND, Inc., as a community partner with the 
> Minnesota Department of Health, is your one-stop-shop for anything 
> you need to know regarding COVID-19 in Minnesota. To get your 
> questions answered about transportation to a testing site, what to 
> do if you have no insurance, or anything in between, call 
> (612)-547-9821 or e-mail Dan Ashman, the program coordinator, at 
> <mailto:dashman at blindinc.org>dashman at blindinc.org.
>    * BLIND, Inc. is presenting an update on resources and the 
> evolving landscape of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Please come ready to 
> learn about MDH updates regarding COVID and Community Contractors. 
> Ready your questions, experiences, and accessibility concerns for 
> the Q and A session. There are two remaining sessions leading into 
> the new year on December 12 and 19 at 4 p.m.
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>Join Zoom Meeting
><https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87497124252?pwd=aWc3bWFvWjdveVVTRlRtZElpRzhmZz09>https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87497124252?pwd=aWc3bWFvWjdveVVTRlRtZElpRzhmZz09
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>One tap mobile
>+13017158592,,87497124252#,,,,,,0#,,904447# US (Washington D.C)
>+13126266799,,87497124252#,,,,,,0#,,904447# US (Chicago)
>
>Dial by your location
>         +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
>         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
>Meeting ID: 874 9712 4252
>Passcode: 904447
>    * At-home testing is available: Minnesota and Vault Medical 
> Services have teamed up to offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing 
> for everyone, with or without symptoms, at no cost.  You can 
> <https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/>order your 
> Vault: no-cost COVID test here and you will receive the kit by mail 
> at your home. When you are ready to take the test, you will log in 
> to access the Vault virtual waiting room and do a video visit with 
> a Vault test supervisor. They can give you instructions and make 
> sure you do the test the right way. You will then send the test to 
> the lab in Oakdale, Minnesota, using the prepaid package. Once it 
> arrives at the lab, you will get your test results by email in 
> 24-48 hours. This saliva test is just as accurate as the nasal swab 
> test and is available at no cost for every Minnesotan, whether or 
> not you have insurance. 
> <https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html>More 
> information is available here, including a list of frequently asked 
> questions, and a phone number to call if you run into difficulties. 
> It is important to note that you will need a valid photo ID to obtain a test.
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>Day at the Capitol is Coming!
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>Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 13, 2021 for our annual 
>Day at the Capitol legislative event. We're going virtual this year 
>which means we're excited about the increased ability for all blind 
>Minnesotans to participate whether you live near or far from Saint 
>Paul. More information is coming soon regarding what issues we will 
>be tackling this year, but be sure to set aside the day for making 
>your voice heard to improve the lives of all blind Minnesotans. Your 
>participation makes a difference.
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>The 100 Years in Sound documentary now available on our website!
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>One of the highlights of the 2020 annual convention of the NFB of 
>Minnesota was the presentation of an audio documentary with voices 
>and sounds from our history, gathered by Steve Jacobson and Tim 
>Aune. This amazing trip through time was presented in several 
>segments during the convention, and is 
><http://nfbmn.org/100years>available for download free for all to hear.
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>What You Can Do
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>Fill out the Educational Technology Survey
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>Part of our mission in the NFB is to ensure equal access to 
>education for blind children, blind parents, and blind educators. We 
>know that barriers to access have significantly increased in this 
>remote learning environment and we are actively working to help. If 
>you are a student, parent, teacher, or administrator who uses screen 
>access software or other accommodations to participate nonvisually 
>in educational programs or services, or if you are the parent, 
>teacher, or administrator of someone who does, 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey>please 
>complete this survey and contribute to our important research.
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>Sign up for the Braille Readers are Leaders contest
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>Love to read? Want a little motivation to practice your braille 
>skills? This contest is designed to encourage the contestants to 
>read more Braille, helping them to improve their reading skills and 
>win prizes. The National Federation of the Blind is partnering with 
>the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults to present 
>the 2020-2021 Braille Readers Are Leaders contest to encourage 
>Braille literacy and reading for pleasure. Children and adults 
>across the United States compete against their same-grade peers to 
>read the most Braille pages between December 1, 2020, through 
>January 18, 2021. Registration is open now. 
><https://www.actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders>Learn 
>more about Braille Readers are Leaders here and be sure to share 
>with your friends.
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>Help others learn more about the NFB
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>Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. ET, the National Federation 
>of the Blind is hosting an open house gathering for people who are 
>not yet members of the Federation. Share with a blind person in your 
>life to help them learn from leaders about the Federation, why 
>membership is crucial to the continuation of our work, and how to 
>become a member. Those interested can sign up by emailing 
><mailto:membership at nfb.org>membership at nfb.org or calling 
>(410)-659-9314, extension 2509.
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