How Ryan Haack is helping the next generation embrace their ‘awesome’
When he was young, Ryan Haack never thought of himself as limited or a person with a disability. Born missing […]
Features
Who is DJ Mike?
Hello, music lovers! My name is Mike Cohn. If you have gone to a Minnesota Vikings home game, you have […]
Meet The Disableds, Minnesota’s groundbreaking comedy ensemble
For decades, standard media portrayals of disability have tended to swing between two tired extremes: tragic inspiration or object of […]
Finding a voice and building connections through artwork
From a dip of a paint pen to a stroke of a paintbrush, artists across the Twin Cities use a […]
In Minnesota, back-to-school season deserves an orientation for parents, too
The success of school choice doesn’t depend only on families having options. It depends on families understanding how those options […]
Celebrating Jeanne Calvit: 30 years of creating art and changing perceptions of disability
It was part history lesson, part retirement party, and all heart at a recent evening celebrating the vision and work […]
A new $17.7M recreation center offers more for the disability community
A more-than-decade-long partnership between True Friends and Cambria has led to a multimillion-dollar investment in the disability community. One of […]
Spokes Fighting Strokes rolls into Minnesota for another year
Spokes Fighting Strokes is a nonprofit working to help stroke survivors regain mobility, independence, and connection. “I’m kind of a […]
Driving change and creating possibilities with Partners In Policymaking
Ten years ago, I was part of a life-changing program. I learned about the “Partners in Policymaking” program through an […]
Fresh Eye Arts Jamboree celebrates the work of 60+ artists
Fresh Eye Arts, a fine arts studio program supporting local artists with disabilities, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month […]
Team USA Caps off the 2026 Paralympic Games with a historic sled hockey win
The United States once again proved that it has the best Paralympic sled hockey team in the world. They beat […]
Ready to launch your career? Don’t miss the INclusive Career Fair
Disability:IN Minnesota is hosting its annual INclusive Career Fair on April 24. If you are looking for a job, it […]
Accessible home built with love
For Deborah Gillis and Bob Rausch, their house in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, is more than just a place to live. It […]
Making change: Community living in the 21st century
As communities themselves change, how are people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD) affected by that change? In the […]
North of North Resort opens Minnesota wilderness to all
For many people with physical disabilities, northern Minnesota’s wilderness has long felt just out of reach, especially in winter. Snow-covered […]
Advocating Change Together honors those who make a difference
Advocating Change Together (ACT): The Center for Disability Leadership hosted its annual Disability Justice Jamboree November 17-18, gathering disability community […]
MOHR members make nominations, give many kudos to employers
Employers who go the extra mile for workers with disabilities were honored this fall with the 2025 Outstanding Disability Employer […]
Kay Willshire steps down from Access Press Board after many years’ service
Kay Willshire’s long, committed service to Access Press is recognized as she steps down from the news organization’s board. She […]
Pirates, Hawks kick their way to state adapted soccer titles
Minnesota’s prep adapted soccer champions were crowned November 15 at White Bear Lake Area High School. The Park Center Pirates […]
Gerrits wins award
Longtime disability community leader Vicki Gerrits was honored this fall with the Minnesota Home Care Association (MHCA) William A. Dombi […]
Several appointees are named
Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced the following appointments to state boards, commissions and committees. Tricia Brisbine, […]
NAMI Minnesota bestows many honors on its mental health heroes
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota celebrated outstanding advocates and organizations advancing mental health at its 2025 Awards […]
Disability rights activist Olson receives award
A longtime Access Press supporter and former newspaper board member was presented with the Donald S. Milloy Disability Advocacy Award. […]
Hamline grant has disability focus
Hamline University has been awarded a five-year TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, totaling […]
Retired Rise CEO Noren is MOHR Legacy Leader Award winner
Longtime Rise CEO Lynn Noren is the 2025 MOHR Legacy Leader Award honoree, a salute to a recent retiree who […]
Marcus Schmit brings public policy skills and more to NAMI Minnesota
Marcus Schmit is the new executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota. Schmit assumed his new […]
Matter is honored by MSHSL
Since 1991, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has honored those who serve the state’s high school students. Twelve […]
ICI celebrates 40 years worth of accomplishments while looking ahead
The University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration is celebrating four decades of service to Minnesotans with disabilities. In a […]
Walz, Flanagan announce appointments
Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced the following appointments to state boards, commissions and committees. The Advisory […]
Community Challenge grants given
Communities throughout Minnesota will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants from AARP. The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment […]
Partners in Policymaking Class 43 delves into coursework this fall
The 2025-2026 Partners in Policymaking class sessions are underway. The current class brings together 34 dedicated disability advocates from around […]
Alzheimer’s disease, dementia are focus of seven grant projects
Seven Minnesota organizations will use state grant funds to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis […]
Goodwill-Easter Seals on the move
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is moving its St. Paul Campus and Prior Training Facility to a new location in the city’s […]
Woodbury author’s disability story is one of recovery, rediscovery
Once a high-velocity university safety executive, perpetual problem-solver and cancer survivor, Woodbury resident Kenneth Kerns’ life was forever changed in […]
MOHR announced metro, Greater Minnesota 2025 DSP Award winners
Direct support professionals who do exemplary work and make a positive difference in the lives of clients were honored in […]
ARRM celebrates direct care staff; levels of dedicated service
ARRM celebrated Direct Support Professionals Week in September by honoring eight outstanding direct support professionals or DSPs. As Minnesota’s largest […]
Iowa-based Harkin Institute names Craig Owens as executive director
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement and Drake University have announced that Craig Owens will serve as […]
Rise announces two new leadership positions
Rise, Inc. has announced two new leadership positions. Jodi Blume was promoted to vice president of life enrichment and community […]
Bihrle named to Council
Fredrikson & Byron attorney Danny A. Bihrle has been appointed to the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness […]
Partnership Resources Inc. celebrates 65 years’ service; looks ahead
Partnership Resources, Inc. (PRI) is celebrating 65 years’ service. The Twin Cities-based service provider is commemorating its years of helping […]
Unified Work grant awarded
MDI has received a $10,000 grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation to support its Unified Work program, which provides free, […]
McCrary retires after 38 years
Kelly McCrary, orientation and mobility instructor, has completed a remarkable career at Vision Loss Resources. McCray is stepping down this […]
Merrick’s Barker ends long career; Greenbaum takes helm
It’s a changing of the guard at Merrick, Inc., a Vadnais Heights-based disability services provider. Longtime leader John Wayne Barker […]
Conference room is dedicated
The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) celebrated one of its own with the dedication of its fully accessible conference room […]
Age-friendly grants to provide a wide range of services throughout Minnesota
Age-Friendly Minnesota is awarding $1.3 million to advance the efforts of age-friendly communities. Thirty-five grants ranging from $9,000 to $75,000 […]
Wheelchair athletes shine, set records at state track and field meet
The 2025 Minnesota State High School League Track and Field Meet June 10-12 at St. Michael-Albertville High School featured the […]
Schluttenhofer honored with ‘Inspire’ award for her leadership, dedication
Lori Schluttenhofer, CEO of Services for Opportunity Partners in Minnetonka, has been awarded the 2025 Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and […]
Partners in Policymaking graduates reflect on what they have learned
The Class 42 Partners in Policymaking Program graduates are looking back on their experiences. The leadership training course is for […]
ARRM announces finalists
The 2025 Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) Cares and Rising Star Award finalists and nominees have been announced. […]
Gilbert was a beloved pet; drew focus on service dogs
Accounts of the June 14 assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hortman also note that Gilbert, their four-year-old golden retriever, was […]
