Metropolitan Center for Independent Living

11/01/2025

Did you know that MCIL offers numerous free classes for people with disabilities? People can join in person or online. These are free to the public and offered on an ongoing basis. Here is our November schedule:

November 5: Housing Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

November 13: Driver's Ed Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

November 19: Independent Living Top 10 Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Click here to check out the full fall schedule and register: https://bit.ly/458DBaj

Enhance your independent living skills, sign up today!

10/22/2025

Join us on November 4 at 2 pm ET for our upcoming webinar, “Millions More Can Start Their ABLE Journey in 2026.”

Starting in 2026, millions of additional individuals with disabilities will become eligible to open ABLE accounts under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. Learn what this expansion means, who qualifies and how to prepare.

Hear from:
• Ty Smith, ABLE account owner
• Teresa Price, parent of an ABLE account owner
• Mark Raymond, Jr., National Outreach Lead, ABLE Today

Don’t miss this important discussion about how ABLE can help more people build financial stability and independence.

Register here: https://www.ablenrc.org/11-04-25-webinar-millions-more-can-start-their-able-journey-in-2026/

Image description: Graphic with green background and text that reads:
“LIVE Webinar: Millions More Can Start Their ABLE Journey in 2026. With Ty Smith, ABLE account owner; Teresa Price, parent of an ABLE account owner; and Mark Raymond, Jr., National Outreach Lead, ABLE Today. November 4, 2025 | 2 PM ET.”
Photos of the three speakers — Ty Smith, Teresa Price, and Mark Raymond, Jr. — appear beside their names. ABLE National Resource Center logo is in the top right corner.

10/06/2025

We hope you'll join us Thursday, October 9 from 10-11am for "Long COVID and Work: ADA Workplace Accommodations," a presentation by Cindy Tarshish, Director of ADA Minnesota!

Learn more in the article linked below from Access Press.

Employment and Long COVID is a topic many of us with disabilities need to pay attention to. An upcoming virtual session will provide useful information. Sign up today!

10/01/2025

Did you know that MCIL offers numerous free classes for people with disabilities? People can join in person or online. These are free to the public and offered on an ongoing basis. Here is our October schedule:

October 8: Self Advocacy Class: To-Do's & Priorities
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

October 16: Driver's Ed Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

October 22: Self Advocacy Class: Budgeting
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

October 30: Driver's Ed Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Click here to check out the full fall schedule and register: https://bit.ly/458DBaj

Enhance your independent living skills, sign up today!

10/01/2025

Have you gotten your updated COVID-19 vaccine yet? The vaccine targets more recent variants and helps prevent severe illness, long-term health problems, and death.

Minnesota Department of Health is endorsing the updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). These associations developed guidance recommending that all people over 6 months old should have the option to receive the COVID-19 vaccine without additional barriers. Read more here:

https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2025/vaccine092225.html

09/30/2025

Register today for a Lunch & Learn from the Office of Minnesota Secretary of State, titled "OSS New Voter Tools and Resources!"

Friday, October 3, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

After a special welcome from Secretary Simon, this webinar will highlight the many tools and resources available to help voters participate in local elections.

Whether you’re supporting voters in your community or just curious about what’s new, this session will give you practical information and tips to share.

Click the link below to register:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Lunch & Learn: Updated Voter Information Tools. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

09/19/2025

The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living has received a $2.1 million grant from the Bush Foundation to develop a leading-edge pilot program offering direct care support professionals and personal care assistants a path for a college-accredited credential of a Certified Direct Support Professional.

“To solve the direct care worker shortage gap, it is essential that we create this new opportunity to better support direct care workers for success by offering a college credit-based curriculum leading to the credential of a Certified Direct Support Professional and the financial and professional recognition they so justly deserve.” -MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA.

Learn more at the MCIL website:

https://mcil-mn.org/metropolitan-center-for-independent-living-receives-bush-foundation-grant-for-direct-support-professional-certification-pilot-program/

09/16/2025

Disability Hub MN presents Cindy Tarshish, Director of ADA Minnesota, for a webinar on Long COVID, ADA, and Employment. Learn more about Long COVID and the disclosure and reasonable accommodation process under Title I of the ADA.

Disability Hub MN presents Cindy Tarshish, Director of ADA Minnesota, for a webinar on Long COVID, ADA, and Employment. Learn more about Long COVID and the d...

08/22/2025

If you're at the State Fair, stop by the Education Building! We'll be at the Minnesota Council on Disability booth until 5pm.

08/22/2025

We're back in the Education Building for the late shift tonight, stop by the Minnesota Council on Disability booth until 9pm and visit with Nick!

08/21/2025

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Education Building and visited us in the Minnesota Council on Disability booth! It was great to connect with so many people. If you missed us, we'll be back later today from 5pm-9pm!

08/21/2025

We're excited to be back at the State Fair with Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD)! You can visit us today at the MCD booth in the Education Building from 9am to 1pm, and 5pm to 9pm. We have some free PPE bags to give away while supplies last, as well as flyers for our self advocacy classes and the PCA College Service Corps.

We'll also be back tomorrow the 22nd from 1pm to 5pm, and on the 30th from 9am to 1pm. We can't wait to connect with you!