Dog Sledding—A Fun Moving Tail Wagging Adventure

Blind Incorporated students are heading up North to enjoy some dog mushing and great outdoor fun. While driving or riding with a pack of dogs across the snow amongst the Pines and lakes of Minnesota can be enough to write home about, meeting the dogs, the owners, and learning about dog sledding enhances the whole experience of this Blind Incorporated event. Students experience the care and upkeep of the dogs, the harnessing and equipment used, and why some dogs are up front and some are in the back while pulling.

Tree cutting, decorating and secret Santa gifts round out the 2009 year.

Students went up North and cut down not one but two 12 foot tall Pine trees for decorating and to celebrate the holiday season. Using the cane to find them and to check the height of each one, the students took turns cutting the trees down and loading them up to bring back to Blind, incorporated. The students decorated and enjoyed decorating the building and outside pillars.

The holiday season is in full swing at Blind, Incorporated!

The students planned and prepared a Thanksgiving feast for the entire staff and students. From a Deep Fried Turkey, a Roast of Buffalo, down to a wonderful choice of 3 pies: Pumpkin, Apple and/or Chocolate Pecan. M-m-m good. The students spent a day and went up north and hunted down 2 Christmas trees each over 12 feet tall.  The following morning the students decorated and filled the center with that good old fashion holiday spirit. Snow is falling and the staff at Blind, Inc. is getting ready to prepare the Holiday feast for all the students and staff. While students go out and go bowling the staff stays back and prepares a big feast while under sleep shades. We wish all of you a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year!

Halloween is a Rocking Good Time!

Blind, Incorporated students put together a howling good party at the mansion. From witches to pirates and hippies to chickens the guest enjoyed the rocking sounds of the rock band, “Red Pony.” With music, dance and good food made by the students everyone had a good time…even Mrs. Pillsbury came out to shake it up! (or did she?)

Apples to Pumpkins not just Oranges anymore.

Students traveled to the St. Croix River valley area and enjoyed a day at the Apple orchard. From picking a variety of Apples to choosing the perfect pumpkins, staff and students all enjoyed the late fall season in Minnesota when the apples are just right for picking.

The Great Minnesota Get Together!

Every year the students attend the Minnesota state fair and explore the food, rides, and exhibits.  This year Chocolate covered bacon was one of the fair favorites while the Gator and/or Ostrich on a stick came in a close 2nd.  Students explored the many band shells playing music, the barns with animals ranging from a simple rabbit to horses nearly 8 feet tall. But it all starts out with a few daring students riding on the Ejection Seat ride. This ride propels you straight up into the air about 150 feet and going super fast only to let you fall back towards the ground on bungee cords. Rumor has it one should eat after the ride and not before.

Exploring the Honda and Polaris booths allowed some of the students to check out the latest 4 wheel carts, water skis, and the new Honda motorcycle trike. One student studied the 4 wheel cart and noted that the axel clearance was unusually low. Gifts were bought, food was everywhere and everyone got to work on travel skills and have a good time.

Life 101 Transition students completed another summer of hard work and hard play!

Teens from Minnesota and across the country completed 8 weeks of skills training with an emphasis on high school and college readiness. Computer, Cane travel, Home Management, Careers, Industrial Arts, and Braille were taught along with trips, events and fun activities.

If you or someone you know are interested in attending the Life 101 program please give us a call for details at 612-872-0100 and for more details on the program click here.

The Buddies head home after a month of training, activities and a lot of laughter!

Blind kids ages 8 through 13 headed back home after attending the Blind, Inc. Summer Buddy Program. Mobility, Braille, Technology, Industrial Arts, and Life Skills were just some of the instruction that the Buddies had an opportunity to enhance their skills and attitude towards blindness. Friends were made, memories were created and most of all, the level of confidence grew in each Buddy. It was a wonderful day when the parents of the Buddies came for a seminar and the staff and counselors were able to tell them all the stories of their Blind child, things to work on and things to keep doing. The day was filled with information from IEP's, Blindness, and other speakers encouraging the parents to be a strong advocate for their child. The entertainment from the Buddies rounded out the night and another success filled Buddy Program. 

If you or someone you know are interested in attending the Buddy program please give us a call for details at 612-872-0100. for more details on the program click here.

Mortgage Burning Celebration July 24, 2009

Blind, Inc. held an open house as the entire community celebrated paying off the mortgage at Blind, Inc. and the home of the National Federation of the Blind Minnesota Headquarters located at 100 East 22^nd Street, Minneapolis, MN. Students, former students, staff and some of the local community celebrated along with those who fought hard and long to build a training center with the NFB philosophy as its foundation. 21 years and still going strong!

National NFB 2009 Convention

Blind, Inc. students and staff attended the 2009 National Federation of the Blind 69^th annual convention where More than 3,000 delegates participated from across the United States as well as many foreign countries.   Matthius Niska, a student from Blind, Inc. won the top scholarship of $12,000! Congratulations Matthius from all of us.

Wild Mountain

During the hot summer it is nice to take a break and since we work hard we like to play hard too. Each year we head out to Taylor Falls, Minnesota and spend the day enjoying the great outdoors. The adult and Buddy programs staff and students spent the day at Wild Mountain water park. They rode the alpine slide, water slides, go carts, and lazy river. Folks had lots of fun. The kids especially had a great time, most of them commenting that it was there favorite activity of the summer.

New Audio

Listen to a speech given by a BLIND, Inc. student at a recent NFB of MN convention.

Seniors Possibilities Fair

BLIND, Inc., the NFB of Minnesota and State Services for the Blind HOSTED THE ANNUAL Possibilities Fair for seniors. Demonstration stations included speech output devices, practice sessions on getting around independently and safely, and techniques for the kitchen as well as a display of helpful aids and devices available to make life more accessible. Participants had the opportunity to learn about books on tape and newspapers over the telephone, talking computers, and magnification devices. The fair also included helpful hints about losing vision and enjoying life. There were a mix of nonprofit partners who had an array of information, demonstrations, and displays for the seniors to enjoy. There was an inspiring keynote address by Robert Gardner who spoke about how seniors who are losing vision can face this challenge and continue to be active and enjoy life. This year's Possibilities Fair was are largest to date. If you missed the event and want to learn more or schedule a presentation on Senior Classes, call Lori Brown at 612-872-0100 or email her at LBrown@BlindInc.org. 

Pie Making Contest

Each year we have a pie making contest and last year's was something to remember. There was a good selection of tasty pies that everyone got to sample and vote upon. The winner was Juliette with her pecan (pronounced pea-can) pie. As the winner, Juliette earned the right to throw a pie in the face of whichever staff member or student she chose. She chose to give the Executive Director, Shawn Mayo, a whipped cream facial. Click here to watch the video. Note: this video takes approximately 30 seconds to download on a high-speed connection)

Donation Page Now Online

Visit our new make a donation page to make a donation to support our programs.