Blog

Mental health is health. Following World Mental Health Day, MCD highlights how emergencies affect mental well-being and shares practical ways to manage stress and support recovery. Resilience starts with care—for ourselves, our neighbors, and those on the front lines. By supporting mental health every day, we can create communities that are stronger, more connected, and ready to face challenges together.

This October 13, people across Minnesota will join a global celebration of White Cane Day—a day recognizing the white cane as a symbol of independence and equal access for people who are blind or visually impaired. Minnesota State Services for the Blind are hosting a Capitol event highlighting achievement, safety, and inclusion. Learn how this day honors progress in mobility and civil rights while raising awareness about safe travel for all pedestrians who use a white cane.

Several dedicated members of the Minnesota Council on Disability recently concluded their terms. Their advocacy touched every part of our work—shaping policy, opening doors to accessibility, and strengthening community connections. Together, they modeled what it means to lead with passion and persistence. As we look to the future, we carry forward the wisdom and commitment they shared. Read more about their service and join us in thanking them for their leadership and advocacy.

Emergencies can happen at any time, and planning ahead is especially important for people with disabilities. The Minnesota Council on Disability provides resources for you to create a personal emergency plan, share it with your support network, and build the right emergency kits. From knowing what to do if the power goes out to preparing supplies for service animals, emergency plans give you the tools to stay safe and ready before disaster strikes.

The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) extends our heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited our booth at the State Fair this year. We are continually inspired by the strength, creativity, and resilience of Minnesota’s disability community, and your presence helped make our booth a vibrant hub of connection and advocacy.

We were honored to welcome elected officials, legislators, state leaders, and organizational partners who celebrated with us, learned more about the issues facing Minnesotans with disabilities, and engaged in meaningful conversations. Their willingness to listen and show up underscores the importance of partnership and dialogue as we work together to advance civil rights protections and ensure equity for all.

Disability is not a monolith. Those of us living with disabilities also carry intersecting identities—our race, gender, income, or place. I’m Mai Thor, a disability advocate, and my own life as a disabled Hmong woman, immigrant, and mom reflects that reality. Disability is an identity that touches all of us as we live, grow, and age. Disability justice reminds us that every part of a person matters and that all disabled people are whole. In this analysis, Legislative Affairs Director Joel Runnels examines whether Minnesota’s systems meet people at those intersections and what must change to serve all of us.