With all of Minnesota seeing snow in recent days it’s time to think about more winter safety tips. We had some featured in our December print and online issues, so here’s more.
I got back to work after my Thanksgiving break earlier this week. On one trip to a meeting, I saw several vehicles had slid off of city streets. Even when streets and roads have been plowed, it still can merit driving slowly and carefully.
Many of us with disabilities still drive, so it’s worth checking out the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website for many great safety tips. Go to https://www.dot.state.mn.us/workzone/winter.html#:~:text=Stay%20alert%20for%20snowplows%2C%20which,safe%20speed%20for%20current%20conditions
You can also sign up for travel alerts and road condition updates. There is also the 511 travel information service, which is just a phone call away.
Remember to sign up for your community snow emergency and street plowing alerts.
And as we advised in the December issue, have that travel kit ready in your vehicle
I always chuckle at the notion of carrying a whistle. The whistles many of us have given away while volunteering at the Council on Disability booth at the Minnesota State Fair may have annoyed our Education Building neighbors at times. But having a way to signal in an emergency could be a lifesaver.
Meeting coming up
The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) has its annual meeting coming up. If you have not been involved with MNCCD, now is your chance to do so.
This year’s meeting is 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, December 8 on Zoom.
The group will welcome new members and hear updates from committee chairs. It will also vote on legislative priorities, which have had extensive review this fall.
Register in advance at https://bit.ly/3UbLzZ8
See the meeting agenda at https://adobe.ly/3DQVuxW
With the 2023 legislative session coming up and so many issues at stake for us, this is a key meeting. If you are interested in MNCCD, contact MNCCD Project Coordinator Bridget Carter at bcarter@mnccd.org.
Mental health awards
As someone who grew up on a farm, I know the toll it can take on people. My late father lived with mental illness and the stress of farming added greatly to that. Much of our livelihood hinged on weather, crop pests and available labor.
That’s why I was interested in seeing the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s recent Bend, Don’t Break awards. It’s so important to focus on the stress farmers face.
Kudos to the latest award winners. Read more about them here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDA/bulletins/33a55bb
