Scholarships Don’t Find You—You Find Them: A Student’s Real-World Guide
Release Date: 01/26/2026
Blind Abilities – The Musical: More Than One Way To Be Blind
Blind Abilities
In Episode 4 of Blind Abilities – The Musical, Lori, Christina, Pete, and Jeff explore the strength and diversity found within the blind and low vision community by highlighting two major national organizations serving people who are blind or visually impaired. Inspired by the spirit of Thomas Paine’s Revolutionary War pamphlets—written to encourage and unite—we imagined what it might be like to discover each organization through words meant to inform, inspire, and invite participation. Through music and storytelling, this episode reflects on the opportunities, advocacy,...
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More Than a Diagnosis: Seeing Hope with Dr. Suleiman Alibhai & the Prevention of Blindness Society
Blind Abilities
In this episode, Jeff travels to the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington to meet CEO Caren Forsten and Dr. Suleiman Alibhai, the organization’s low vision clinical director—and the conversation leaves him feeling something that can be hard to come by after years of appointments: real hope. Dr. Alibhai isn’t focused only on charts, drops, or procedures. He starts with the person—what daily life feels like right now, what has become harder, what’s been lost, and where someone is emotionally before anyone starts talking about solutions. Caren shares how...
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From Classroom to Career — Josh Subhan's Internship Journey
Blind Abilities
Josh Subhan shares a real-world look at how internships can open doors from college to career. As a University of Minnesota grad who is turning his internship at Metro Transit into a full-time job, Josh breaks down what internships are, when to start applying, and how the process actually works. He walks through finding opportunities on company career pages and sites like Indeed, preparing resumes and interviews, and using campus career centers and State Services for the Blind for mock interviews and connections. Josh also talks honestly about disclosure, accessibility tools, and finding your...
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Fear Less - Do More! Envision Blind Sports Is Here!
Blind Abilities
Envision Blind Sports is expanding to Minnesota—and that means more chances for blind and low vision youth to move, compete, and discover what they’re capable of. In this episode, Jeff talks with Minnesota Regional Manager Ricky Ties and Program Director Jillian Stringfellow about how adaptive sports build confidence, independence, and real community. From wrestling, goalball, and beep baseball to kayaking, swimming, and a jam-packed summer camp with 25+ adaptive sports, focuses on exposure—helping kids find something they love and carry that confidence back into school and life. Ricky...
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Wellness Wednesday: How are You? I'm Fine. Hmmm. Exploring Inclusion, Belonging, and the deep human need to be Seen and Heard
Blind Abilities
In this Wellness Wednesday conversation, Beth Gustin, Robin Ennis, and Jeff Thompson slow things down to ask a deceptively simple question: what does “I’m fine” really mean? From aging and identity shifts to vision loss, assisted living, and feeling quietly pushed to the sidelines, the group digs into the unspoken grief that can come with life transitions. They talk about how losing roles, routines, and independence can chip away at a person’s sense of purpose—and how often those feelings stay hidden behind polite responses. With warmth and honesty, they explore inclusion, belonging,...
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Blind Abilities – The Musical: From K–12 to College and Careers, Finding Your Voice
Blind Abilities
Episode Three of Blind Abilities – The Musical explores what it really means to find your voice as you move from K–12 into college and on toward a career. The three acts set the theme, but the heart of the episode lives in the conversation—real stories about IEPs, learning to speak up in meetings, navigating disability services, and building access when the rules change. Cheryl, Seyoon, Lori, and Jeff share practical strategies for getting accessible books and materials, communicating with professors, managing deadlines, and using tools like screen readers, Braille, and modern tech to...
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College Readiness Workshop: Mastering Time Management
Blind Abilities
If you’re a blind or low-vision high school student heading to college, this College Readiness Workshop from State Services for the Blind of Minnesota breaks time management into a simple system you can actually use. Tou Yang and the SSB transition team talk with students about setting clear goals, knowing your “why” (motivation), building a realistic schedule, and staying disciplined—especially when you hit that week-two wall and want to quit. The group names common traps like procrastination and cramming, and offers practical fixes: block out study time, write everything down, set...
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From Gestures to Jobs: Learning Assistive Tech That Actually Matters
Blind Abilities
Learning assistive technology isn’t just about memorizing shortcuts—it’s about building skills that open doors to school, work, and everyday life. In this episode, Cheryl McIntosh and Sree Roy share how mastering screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver can turn frustration into confidence. They break down why fundamentals matter, how learning why something works makes skills transferable, and why patience and practice are the real superpowers. From sending that first text message to managing spreadsheets for scholarships or work, these tools connect students to the world in real...
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Blind Abilities - The Musical: O&M and the Scarlet letter B
Blind Abilities
Blind Abilities – The Musical: O&M and the Scarlet Letter B explores the deeply personal moment when a white cane shifts from symbol to tool, from stigma to freedom. Through music, storytelling, and candid conversation, the episode traces the emotional arc of orientation and mobility—hesitation, acceptance, learning, and momentum. The songs frame lived experiences many blind and visually impaired people know well: the fear of being seen, the relief of being understood, and the confidence that comes from trusting your skills. “The cane chose me” becomes more than a lyric—it’s a...
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From High School to Grad School: Winning Scholarships Without Going into Debt
Blind Abilities
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but scholarships may be closer—and more achievable—than you think. In this Blind Abilities episode, Joshua Olukanni shares his journey from high school to graduate studies at Georgetown University, and how scholarships helped him pursue college with far less debt. Joshua explains what scholarships really are, why there’s one for nearly everyone, and how applying can offer a higher return on your time than a part-time job. He walks listeners through getting organized, using tools like spreadsheets to track deadlines, and seeking feedback to...
info_outlineApplying for scholarships can feel overwhelming, but as Maddy Majors shares in this Blind Abilities episode, the effort is absolutely worth it. Now a college student at the University of Minnesota, Maddy walks listeners through what scholarships really are, how she searched for them, and what the application process actually looks like. From simple essays to multi-round interviews, she explains why applying for multiple scholarships increases your chances and why starting early is key—some deadlines arrive as soon as February. Maddy offers practical tips like using spreadsheets to track deadlines, staying organized, and treating applications like college or job interviews. She also highlights how State Services for the Blind can support students with career exploration, interview practice, and college preparation. Most importantly, Maddy encourages students to stay authentic, take chances, and remember that even the time spent applying can pay off—financially and through valuable connections and opportunities.
To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at shane.desantis@state.mn.us or call Shane at 651-385-5205.
Thanks for listening!