Minnesota Olmstead Implementation Office

08/31/2026

Come see us at the State Fair! The Olmstead Implementation Office is with the Minnesota Council on Disability in the Education building. OIO staff will be at the fair Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. Come say hi and pick up some swag!

08/26/2026

The Minnesota State Fair starts tomorrow! OIO staff will be tabling at the Fair in the Education Building with Minnesota Council on Disability on August 27 and 31, and September 1, 3, and 4. This year's Fair accessibility guide has information about transportation, ASL, human-guide services, sensory friendly options, pre-visit stories, and lots more! Visit the Fair accessibility guide webpage: https://www.mnstatefair.org/guides/accessibility

08/24/2026

MSP Airport now has 3D tactile maps for each of their public restrooms. These maps use raised symbols, braille labels, and easy to understand layouts. They're intended to help visitors independently navigate each restroom, including the location of stalls, urinals, sinks and accessible features. One of the Olmstead Inclusion Consultants, Ken, is featured in the video below! Learn more about accessibility at MSP Airport: https://www.mspairport.com/airport/accessibility

08/20/2026

We are excited to present at the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness webinar on September 2! Learn more and register at https://mich.mn.gov/webinars

Many people facing homelessness are also people with a disability.

Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan aims to ensure that disabled Minnesotans are living full, integrated lives in their chosen communities. It is a plan for state agencies to set and meet goals that will improve the quality of life for Minnesotans with disabilities. The plan covers a variety of topics including housing, education, employment, transportation, and more.

The Minnesota Olmstead Implementation Office (OIO) supports the work of Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan through administrative and technical support to state agencies, plan compliance, community engagement, and education.

On MICH’s September webinar, learn more about OIO, the work to draft a new Olmstead Plan, and what to expect as the plan rolls out this autumn.

Register for the webinar at https://mich.mn.gov/webinars - we look forward to seeing you there!

08/14/2026

The Olmstead Implementation Office is excited to welcome Dr. Amy Hebert Knopf as its new director. She brings more than 30 years of disability advocacy, policy leadership, and organizational transformation experience to the role. Dr. Knopf also has lived experience as a person with a disability, a daughter of a person with a disability, and a parent of children with disabilities.

Dr. Knopf, Ph.D., CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor), CPACC (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies) has led disability inclusion work at every level, from direct service and graduate education to international policy consulting. She is the founder of AccessPlus Global LLC.

Dr. Knopf also:
- worked at St. Cloud State University, where she served as Director of Education and Research for the Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy and Graduate Director of the Rehabilitation Counselor Education programs.

- was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to the Advisory Task Force on State Employment and Retention of Employees with Disabilities.

- served as the Inter-Faculty Organization-appointed Disability Advocate for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities faculty statewide.

- was selected as the inaugural George H.W. Bush Disability Fellow at the Harkin Institute.

Dr. Knopf is deeply familiar with Minnesota's Olmstead work and is committed to leading the plan's next phase. Dr. Knopf will start Wednesday, August 26. Welcome to the Olmstead Implementation Office!

08/10/2026

The next Olmstead Leadership Forum is this Friday, August 14. This virtual meeting is from 10 a.m. to noon. Leadership Forum members work for state agencies that have goals in the Olmstead Plan. CART and ASL will be provided. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3H3EBUY

07/29/2026

OIO staff will be tabling at Twin Ports Disability Pride at Duluth City Hall until 6 p.m today! We have some fun activities, swag, and information about disability resources in Minnesota. Happy Disability Pride Month!

07/14/2026

The 4th annual Disability Pride Festival at the State Capitol originally scheduled for this Thursday has been postponed due to the heat. The organizers at Advocating Change Together are working to find a new date. More details in the post below!

Important Update: The Disability Pride Festival has been postponed due to an extreme heat warning on Thursday. Thank you for continuing to care for one another. We will be celebrating disability pride together soon.

With gratitude,

ACT

07/09/2026

Applications close tomorrow to join the next class of Partners in Policymaking!

Now Recruiting: Partners in Policymaking®!

Want to become a stronger advocate for people with developmental disabilities? Partners in Policymaking® is a free leadership and advocacy training program for self‑advocates and family members.

✔ Build advocacy and leadership skills
✔ Learn how government works
✔ Connect with a powerful statewide network

Apply now!

Learn more and apply here:

https://mn.gov/mnddc/partnersinpolicymaking/class44/index.html

Help us spread the word!

07/08/2026

Your experience can help others. If you are age 60 or older, or you care for someone who is, we invite you to take a short survey about legal needs in your community. Your answers will help build programs that improve access to free and low cost legal services and resources for older Minnesotans. Just a few minutes of your time can help others stay independent, secure and connected to their communities. http://vtlr.us/26