You are here: Home > Resources > Minnesota

Minnesota Resources

Contents:

• DeafBlind-Focused Resources in Minnesota
  • Non-Profits
  • Individual Professionals
  • State Offices
• Other Helpful Resources in Minnesota

If you would like to update or add to the information on this page, please use our Feedback Form.

DeafBlind-Focused Resources in Minnesota

Minnesota agencies and providers included in this section voluntarily provided information to the Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. Unless otherwise noted, all resources listed provide services to deafblind people with additional disabilities. Please read our Copyright/Disclaimers.

(*) Accessibility Note: Resources marked with an asterisk link (*) after the resource name provide services that were originally designed to serve people who are deaf, or blind, or have other disabilities, but have been redesigned to accommodate the needs of deafblind people. Resources without an asterisk provide services that were specifically designed for people who are deafblind.

Non-profits

• DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM)
  726 Second Street NE
  Minneapolis, MN 55413
  (612) 362-8454 Voice
  (612) 362-8422 TTY
  (612) 362-8437 Fax
  Email: info@dbsm.org
  Internet: http://www.dbsm.org
  Services for Adults: computer training, functional assessments, independent living skills training, interveners, orientation and mobility, social/recreational activities, support service providers (SSPs), training for professionals who work with adults.
  Services for Children and Youth: communication assessments, equipment, family communication instruction, interveners, social/recreational activities for families and/or deafblind children.
  Notes: Services provided statewide; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding.
• Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind - Hearing and Vision Loss Program
  4505 West Superior Street
  Duluth, MN 55807-2728
  (218) 624-4828 Voice
  (218) 624-8822 TTY
  Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-422-0833 Voice
  (218) 624-4479 Fax
  Email Martha Hanson: hansonmartha@hotmail.com
  Internet: http://www.lighthousefortheblind-duluth.org
  Services for adults: advocacy, case management, computer training, counseling, equipment on a trial basis, functional assessments, independent living skills training, information and referral, interveners, orientation and mobility, social/recreational activities, support groups, support service providers (SSPs), training for consumers in Braille and communications, training for professionals who work with adults, itinerant instruction in all program areas.
  Notes: Some services for transition-age students; services limited to 14 counties in Northeastern Minnesota; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding.
• Great Lakes Area Deaf-Blind (GLADB) Conference
  Dates: June 14-18, 2004 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  Email Lynette Boyer or Kathy Anderson: gladbmn2004@peoplepc.com.
  Internet: If you have access to Acrobat Reader (PDF files), you can download conference registration information and call for papers, the exhibit registration form.
  Notes: The Great Lakes Area Deaf-Blind Conference will be held June 14 to 18 at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. The theme for this year's conference is "Deaf-Blind Pride: Facing Challenges Head On and Creating Opportunities." This conference welcomes deaf-blind consumers, support service providers, family members and others interested in the deaf-blind field.
• Health and Wellness Program Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (*)
  Regions Hospital
  640 Jackson Street
  St. Paul, MN 55101
  (651) 254-5708 Voice/TTY - Program Secretary
  (651) 254-1888 TTY answering machine
  (651) 254-9426 Fax
  Internet: http://www.regionshospital.com/Regions/Menu/0,1592,4464,00.html
  Services for Adults: Provides advocacy, counseling, functional assessments, information and referral, mental health services and support groups for adults.
  Services for Children and Youth: Provides communication assessments, family and individual counseling, functional skills assessments, information and referral, mental health services, psycho/social assessments, training for parents/families and for professionals.
  Notes: Statewide services.
  • Greater Minnesota Assessment Service
    Toll free: 1-888-386-4439 Voice; 1-888-677-9787 TTY
    Email Kim Opat: kim.opat@aol.com
    Description: "provides no cost specialized psychological and social assessments, family assessments and school and family consultation and training to benefit children ages 0 to 21 residing in Greater Minnesota."
• Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) - Deaf IL Program (*)
  1600 University Ave. W., Suite 16
  St. Paul, MN 55104-3825
  (651) 603-2004 TTY - Deaf IL Program
  (651) 646-8342 Voice - front desk
  (651) 603-2006 Fax
  Email Sheila Faricy-Hobson: sheilaf@mcil-mn.org
  Internet: http://www.mcil-mn.org/tdeaf.htm
  Services for Adults: advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referral, training for consumers in budgeting, SSI issues, etc.
  Services for Children: advocacy, communication assessments, family communication instruction, functional skills assessments, information and referral, training for parents and families in independent living skills, transition-age programs and services.
  Notes: Services offered in 7-county Metro area; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding. See also MCIL's Introduction to Independent Living.
• Minnesota DeafBlind Association (MDBA)
  1821 University Ave. W., Suite S-117
  St. Paul, MN 55104
  (651) 647-6564 Voice/TTY
  mdba1979@netzero.net
  Internet: http://www.deafvision.net/mdba
  Services for Adults: Advocacy, information and referral, social/recreational activities, training for consumers offered several times each year.
  Notes: A statewide DeafBlind-run consumer group, with many events in the Twin Cities area, and some events in Greater Minnesota. Affiliated with the American Association of the Deaf-Blind.

Back to Top of Page.

Individual Professionals

• Joseph Cioffi, M. Ed.
  P.O. Box 75762
  St. Paul, MN 55175
  (612) 220-6657 Voice/TTY
  (520) 962-3811 Fax
  Email: cioffijoe@msn.com
  Internet: http://clickandgomap.com/01_intro_bio_resume.htm
  Services for adults: advocacy, functional assessments, information and referral, orientation and mobility, training for professionals, training for consumers in O&M, tactile sign language, visual efficiency.
  Services for children and youth: advocacy, communication assessments, family communication instruction, functional skills assessments, information and referral, orientation and mobility, training for professionals, training for families and children in skills related to O&M, transition-age services.
  Notes: Statewide services.
• Sandra L. H. Davenport, MD, C. M.
  Sensory Genetics/Neuro-development
  5801 Southwood Drive
  Bloomington, MN 55437-1739
  (952) 831-5522
  (952) 831-0381 Fax
  Email: slhdaven@umn.edu
  Services for Adults and Children: Functional Assessments, Info and Referral
  Notes: Statewide; Limited Services
• Laurie Lee Johnson, Ph.D.
  Licensed Psychologist
  1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite 123C
  Minneapolis, MN 55414
  (651) 457-1301 TTY
  Email: LaurieLeeJohnson@cs.com
  Services for Adults and Adolescents: Services specifically designed for people who are deafblind; Dr. Johnson is fluent in sign language and is knowledgeable about communication techniques used by deafblind people; provides family and individual counseling, mental health services, training for professionals who work with adults, psychological evaluations and diagnosis.

Back to Top of Page.

State Offices

• DeafBlind Advocacy Project
  Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division
  444 Lafayette Road North
  St. Paul, MN 55155-3814
  (651) 297-1384 voice/TTY
  E-mail Paul Deeming: paul.deeming@state.mn.us
  Services for Adults: Advocacy (especially for Medical Assistance programs), information and referral, training for consumers, training for professionals who work with deafblind adults, services provided to deafblind adults who have other physical disabilities or cognitive disabilities.
  Services for Children and Youth: Advocacy (especially for Medical Assistance programs), information and referral, internet chat room/listserve, training for professionals who work with families and children, services provided to children who have other physical disabilities or cognitive disabilities.
  Notes: Statewide services; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding and staff time.
• Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (MCDHH)
  444 Lafayette Road
  St. Paul, MN 55155-3814
  (651) 297-7305 Voice/TTY
  Email Mary Hartnett: mary.hartnett@state.mn.us
  Internet: http://www.mcdhh.org
  Services for adults and families with deafblind children: legislative advocacy, legislative training for consumers.
  Notes: Statewide services.
• Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
  4001 Stinson Blvd NE, Suite 210
  Minneapolis, MN 55421
  (612) 638-1525 Voice
  (612) 706-0808 TTY
  1-800-848-4905 Voice
  (612) 706-0811 Fax
  Email Sally Prouty: mndb@skypoint.com
  Internet: http://www.dbproject.mn.org
  Services for Children and Youth: Advocacy/Support, Training of Families, Info and Referral, Training of Professionals, Serve deafblind children with additional disabilities. Children Linking Families program provides "family workshops, an annual family weekend, support groups and electronic networking of families throughout Minnesota."
  Notes: Statewide services.
• Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning
  Low Incidence Supervisor
  1500 West Highway 36
  Roseville, MN 55113-4266
  Main number: (651) 528-8200 Voice
  Special Education/Low Incidence Unit: (612) 638-1531 Voice
  Email Eric Kloos: eric.kloos@state.mn.us
  
  • Regional Low Incidence Facilitators (RLIFs)
    Fergus Falls, Marshall, Minneapolis, Mount Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, Staples, Warren. Contact information varies by region.
    Internet: http://cfl.state.mn.us/SPECED/lowincidencefacilitators.html
    Services for Children: Info and Referral. "regional projects are funded to provide regional access to specialists, networking, and professional development in the low incidence areas, including deafblind.
  • Statewide Resource Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
    (507) 332-5491 Voice/TTY
    Toll-Free: 1-800-657-3936 Voice/TTY
    E-mail Mary Cashman-Bakken: mary.cashman-bakken@state.mn.us
    http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_speced_prog_dhh.htm
    Description: A statewide technical assistance resource addressing special education and services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Statewide Resource Center for the Blind/Visually Impaired
    (507) 332-5510 Voice
    Toll-free: 1-800-657-3936 Voice/TTY
    Email Jean Martin: jean.martin@state.mn.us
    Internet: http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_speced_prog_bvi.htm
• Minnesota Department of Human Services - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (*)
  444 Lafayette Road
  St. Paul, MN 55155-3814
  (651) 296-3980 Voice
  (651) 297-1506 TTY
  Internet: http://www.dhhsd.org
  Regional Offices in MN: Duluth, Virginia, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, St. Cloud, Rochester, St. Peter, St. Paul.
  Services for Adults: advocacy, consultation to agencies related to access services, equipment and resource demonstration labs, information and referral, social/recreational activities, telephone equipment distribution program, resource guides to local services, sensitivity and awareness trainings.
  Notes: statewide services.
  Services for Children and Youth: advocacy, ASL camp, consultation to agencies related to access services, Deaf Mentor project, equipment and resource demonstration labs, family resource packets, information and referral, social/recreational activities for families, sensitivity and awareness trainings.
• Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB) (*)
  400 SE 6th Avenue
  Faribault, MN 55021
  (507) 333-4800 Voice
  (507) 333-4825 Fax
  Email Debra Wasserman: dwasserman@msab.state.mn.us
  Main Email: info@msab.state.mn.us
  Internet: http://www.msab.state.mn.us
  Services for children and youth to age 21: advocacy, case management, communication assessments, equipment, family and individual counseling, functional skills assessments, information and referral, interveners for children, orientation and mobility training, psycho/social assessments, social/recreational activities for families, support groups, training for parents and families, training for professionals, transition-age programs and services.
  Notes: Statewide services.
• Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) (*)
  P.O. Box 308
  615 Olof Hanson Drive
  Faribault, MN 55021
  Toll-free: 1-800-657-3996 Voice/TTY
  (507)332-5400 Voice/TTY
  (507)332-5475 TTY
  Email: carmen.adams@msad.state.mn.us
  Internet: http://www.msad.state.mn.us
  Services for children and youth to age 21: Advocacy, case management, communication assessments, family and individual counseling, functional skills assessments, information and referral, interveners for children when arranged via IEP process, orientation and mobility services, psycho/social assessments, support groups, transition-age programs and services.
  Notes: "Children/youth are placed at our academy from the statewide area and receive services on-site or at sites arranged according to the IEP process."
  • DeafBlind Connection
    Highway 298, P.O. Box 68
    Faribault, MN 55021
    (507) 332-5400 Voice/TTY
    Toll-free: 1-800-657-3996 Voice/TTY
    Description: A joint program of Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and Minnesota State Academy for the Blind
    Services for Children: Info and Referral.
• State Services for the Blind (SSB) (*)
  Minnesota Department of Economic Security
  2200 University Avenue West, Suite 240
  St. Paul, MN 55114
  (651) 642-0500 Voice
  (651) 642-0506 TTY
  Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-652-9000 Voice/TTY
  Internet: http://www.mnssb.org/
  Regional Offices in MN: Bemidji, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul.
  Services for Adults and Children: Equipment, information and referral, library and transcription services, Radio Talking Book Network, self-care assistance for seniors, transition-age services, vocational training and referral (employment assistance, job placement for people with vision loss, including deafblind people).

Back to Top of Page.

Other Helpful Resources in Minnesota

• See also Consumer Advocacy Groups on our Supports page.
• CSD of Minnesota
  2055 Rice Street
  St. Paul, MN 55113
  (651) 297-6700 Voice/TTY
  (651) 297-6766 Fax
  Internet: http://www.c-s-d.org/
  Description: "a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing broad-based services, ensuring public accessibility and increasing public awareness of issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals."
• Fairview Medical Center - Chemical Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
  Internet: http://www.mncddeaf.org
  Description: "an inpatient chemical dependency program located at Fairview hospital in Minneapolis… designed to meet the communication and cultural needs of deaf and hard of hearing persons."
• Lifetrack Resources
  Internet: http://www.lifetrackresources.org
  Description: "provides rehabilitation therapies, employment resources and early childhood services in the Twin Cities area… to empower persons with physical, mental, social or emotional challenges."
  • Family Support Connection
    Internet: http://www.familysupportconnection.org
    Email Candace Lindow-Davies, Family Support Specialist for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children: candaced@lifetrackresources.org
    Email Laura Himes Iversen, Family Support Program Assistant: laurai@lifetrackresources.org
    Internet: http://www.familysupportconnection.org
    Description: "information and support to families of deaf and hard of hearing children."
• Minnesota Department of Human Rights
  Army Corps of Engineers Centre
  190 East 5th Street, Suite 700
  Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
  Toll free: 1-800-657-3704
  (651) 296-5663 Voice
  (651) 296-1283 TTY
  Email: complaintinfo@therightsplace.net
  Internet: http://www.therightsplace.org/
  Description: "a neutral state agency that investigates charges of illegal discrimination." Web site includes Information about your rights in employment, housing, and other settings, a very extensive listing of related resources, and an online version of a CD-ROM on disability rights issues.
• Minnesota State Council on Disability
  Internet: http://www.disability.state.mn.us/
  Description: "agency that collaborates, advocates, advises and provides information to expand opportunities, increase the quality of life and empower all persons with disabilities."
• PACER Center
  8161 Normandale Boulevard
  Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
  (952) 838-9000 Voice
  (952) 838-0190 TTY
  Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-537-2237
  (952) 838-0199 Fax
  Internet: http://www.pacer.org
  Email: pacer@pacer.org
  Description: "The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. With assistance to individual families, workshops, and materials for parents and professionals, and leadership in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children, PACER's work affects and encourages families in Minnesota and across the nation."
• Sight & Hearing Association
  674 Transfer Road
  St.Paul MN 55114-1402
  Toll-free: 1-800-992-0424 Voice
  (651) 645-2546 Voice
  (651) 645-2742 Fax
  Email: mail@sightandhearing.org
  Internet: http://www.sightandhearing.org
  Description: "nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing the needless loss of vision and hearing through effective screening, education, and research. This site provides public information about vision and hearing topics as well as information regarding our products and services."
• Vision Loss Resources
  1936 Lyndale Avenue South
  Minneapolis, MN 55403
  (612) 871-2222 Voice
  Internet: http://www.visionlossresources.com
  Description: "mission is to assist people who are blind or visually impaired achieve their full potential and to enrich the lives of all persons affected by blindness or vision loss."

Back to Top of Page.

Continue to Next Page: Resources in Other States