MN APSE

10/29/2025

This ↓ -- The Gourd Board.

Larissa Laramee and Dana Eisfeld represent Minnesota on the National APSE Board.

The National APSE Board of Directors is gathered for our Fall Retreat. Our opening activity was to identify one word to describe what each of us is feeling in relation to our work and to write that word on our gourds.

Words selected included: Passion, Linkages, Explore, Mercurial, Empower/Empowered, Proud, Action, Hopeful, Fulfilling, Value, Pioneering, Dig, Excited.

10/21/2025

On our latest episode of the MN APSE podcast, host Chris Davies' is joined by ' Shaunte Martin and Laron Gatlin-Dean. Shaunte, an Inclusion Associate and Gatlin-Dean, a Teaching Fellow, talk about their work at Cow Tipping Press -- an organization in Minneapolis that teaches inclusive writing classes for people with disabilities.

10/20/2025

We're excited to share that we're helping host a fundraiser for the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)—an amazing organization that advocates for inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

☕️ When you shop craft-roasted coffees, pods, and teas through the link below, a portion of the proceeds will go directly toward advancing the field of Disability Employment.

Whether you're stocking up for yourself or grabbing gifts for the holidays, your purchase makes a real impact. 💙
👉 https://ccrfundraiser.com/id/APSENationa

10/07/2025

10/06/2025

RSVP here: blm.mn/WorkingWithAbility

09/08/2025

08/04/2025

On Wednesday, join us for a Minnesota APSE Mingle at Earl Giles Distillery in Minneapolis from 4:30 to 6:00 PM!

This is a great way to learn more about Minnesota APSE and to connect with members, self-advocates, and professionals in supported employment.

All are welcome to the mingle and encouraged to join our Board meeting before the Mingle from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.

The address for this event is 1325 Quincy St NE Suite 100 in Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413.

Food and drinks are always included – we hope to see you there!

07/31/2025

We are bringing back the 'Why I Work' Series!

From 2017-2020, Minnesota APSE featured more than 20 people with disabilities on our social media accounts who were successfully working in competitive, integrated employment.

In the 5 years since, we have gone through The Great Resignation during Covid, the Great Reshuffling in the years that followed, and now what seems to be a tightening labor market.

What hasn't changed is that thousands of Minnesotans are working in competitively paid jobs, and there are thousands more who would like to.

In this series, we feature self-advocates on our social media who want to share their employment stories, the challenges and barriers they face and how employment has transformed their lives.

If you’re interested in telling your story, or know someone who might be, fill out this brief, 3-minute survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaw_lfXP9wpGA3pENv5deTqCNjYDQpAZmylA1Cb9Z0o5XT3w/viewform

A Google email account is required to submit the survey.

07/30/2025

Next Wednesday, join us for our next Minnesota APSE Mingle!

On Wednesday, August 6, we will be at Earl Giles Distillery in Minneapolis from 4:30 to 6:00 PM!

This is a great way to learn more about Minnesota APSE and to connect with members, self-advocates, and professionals in supported employment.

All are welcome to the mingle and encouraged to join our Board meeting before the Mingle from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.

The address for this event is 1325 Quincy St NE Suite 100 in Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413.

Food and drinks are always included – we hope to see you there!

07/28/2025

Join us on Thursday, August 21 from 12 to 1 PM for our quarterly Lunch and Learn Conversation!

This month, Jack Gordon joins us to lead a conversation on how the Disability Hub MN can assist individuals navigate work and benefits.

Register now using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce2srTMqEtL4Z3aGVNzJ8SR2MQf2u9R7?_x_zm_rtaid=SCF5H8sfQ2OQs1uank7jLg.1694114741254.1afdbf046819b46de156bbade0096de2&_x_zm_rhtaid=54 #/registration

About the presenter:

Jack Gordon is a Community Capacity Builder with Disability Hub MN where he has been for approximately 8 years. He is a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner (CWIP) who has completed intensive training on Social Security Benefits and the impact of work with Cornell University.

In his time at Disability Hub MN, Jack has supported Hub users via calls and chats as well as building the capacity of community partners and fellow Hub staff in an extensive breadth of topics via in-person and virtual presentations.

07/24/2025

Did you catch the latest episode of the Minnesota APSE Podcast?

In the latest episode, our host Chris Davies is joined by Keeri Tramm, the Director of Disability Initiatives at Lifeworks.

Keeri is an Autistic professional dedicated to fostering equity and empowerment for the disability community.

With a career spanning nonprofit and for-profit sectors, she leverages her expertise in business and data analysis to drive impactful outcomes. Keeri holds a degree in Special Education, CPACC certification, and serves on the board of Minnesota NEAT, where she influences disability policy and practice.

Listen to the Minnesota APSE Podcast on your favorite streaming platform or watch on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b-apTvCm-0

Audio transcription from featured segment on podcast:

Keeri says: “So, I design and create a lot of 3D printed assistive technology.”

Chris respond: “Okay, can you give us an example of something that you’ve created?”

Keeri answers: “Yeah, one thing that I think was really cool was there was a woman who uses a power wheelchair and she has a service dog. And, she really knew how to train this service dog on her own, like shape its behaviors and everything, but physically was unable to give it treats herself to shape that behavior. So, she needed to pay someone to help her train the dog. Just to give it treats, essentially, cause she already knew how to do everything. So, we created a treat dispenser that attached to her wheelchair so she could just press the button so she could train and shape that service dog.”

07/23/2025

Next month join us for our next Minnesota APSE Mingle!

On Wednesday, August 6, we will be at Earl Giles Distillery in Minneapolis from 4:30 to 6:00 PM!

This is a great way to learn more about Minnesota APSE and to connect with members, self-advocates, and professionals in supported employment.

All are welcome to the mingle and encouraged to join our Board meeting before the Mingle from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.

The address for this event is 1325 Quincy St NE Suite 100 in Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413.

Food and drinks are always included – we hope to see you there!