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David Shaw

Statewide Roadmap – Long Covid and Post-Viral Conditions

Long Covid and other post-viral chronic conditions continue to impact many Minnesotans and people worldwide in their ability to work, go to school, enjoy daily activities, and take care of themselves and others. (For data tracking see Surveillance and Data Analytics | Covid | CDC).  The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted its Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions in May 2026 and it is an important resource for Minnesotans, especially those who have disabilities and experience Long Covid and other Post Viral Chronic Conditions.  Check out the Roadmap and share it with others! Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions

This Roadmap was created by MDH, individuals with lived experience with Post Covid and other Post Viral Chronic Condition, community representatives (including MCIL), and many others.  The Roadmap recognizes the effects of “socioeconomic and structural inequities” and that the “inequities contribute to stigma, bias, and poor outcomes, and require practical recommendations grounded in social and disability justice.” (MDH: Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions - MN Dept. of Health).

These lasting symptoms can prevent people from working, attending school, and taking care of themselves or their families, leading to profound emotional, physical, and financial impacts on people with post-viral IACCs and those close to them. It is important to have the Roadmap’s approach and resources.  Further, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Minnesota Human Rights Act, Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) have important rights and protections and you can contact Dan Stewart, dans@mcil-mn.org, at MCIL with questions these important laws.

Public Input Requested on Greater Minnesota Transit Plan

On June 3, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) opened a public comment period on its Greater Minnesota Transit Plan (GMTP). This Plan, according to MNDOT, “aims to update MnDOT's transit policies, assess mobility needs, and establish goals and strategies for public transit in both rural and urban regions. It promotes coordinated, equitable, and innovative mobility, reflecting recent trends and guiding post-COVID-19 transit priorities.” (Greater Minnesota Transit Plan | Let's Talk Transportation - MnDOT).

The GMTP can be accessed here: Greater Minnesota Transit Plan and you can give your comments and feedback on the GMTP here: Greater Minnesota Transit Plan | Let's Talk Transportation - MnDOT.  Also, there are public information sessions on:

Monday, June 22: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

MNDOT indicated that each session will contain the same content.

Minnesota Disability Employment Statistics

To get a better understanding of what the employment of Minnesotans with disabilities is, MCIL reviewed multiple sources to come up with this summary.  Overall, there are about 350,000 working age Minnesotans with disabilities, (See MN Compass MN Compass Disability Stats).  However, only about 183,000 of these Minnesotans, have some form of full time or part time employment, (MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report at Page 7).  Most of these 183,000 working age Minnesotans work on a full-time or part-time basis where they earn at least applicable minimum wage (or, more simply “competitive integrated employment”  or CIE) through private and public employers.  CIE is a critical part of MCIL’s 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions strategy MCIL 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions Model - Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL).  Of those who want to work and are seeking work, the interactive process and reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act are powerful tools.

When compared to Minnesotans without disabilities, there is a persistent and significant employment gap, MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report, page 8.  This gap exists nationwide.  People with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics - 2025. These unemployment and underemployment issues exist despite the passage and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act and despite the United States Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., Olmstead v. L. C. | 527 U.S. 581 (1999) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center.

Overall, these statistics means that there about 167,000 individuals with disabilities in Minnesota without any employment.  Of this 167,000, there are around 110,000 individuals who receive SSDI on the basis of prior work and who may be unable to currently work.  SSDI Beneficiaries in MN.  Excluding these recipients of SSDI for the moment (and noting that SSDI recipients can and do work and have access to SSDI work incentives), there are approximately 57,000 individuals with disabilities who likely could and want to work.  Importantly, in addition to this 57,000, there are many Minnesotans with disabilities who are underemployed and want to increase their work and pay.   (MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report, pages 7-9).

To support Minnesotans with disabilities, Minnesota has multiple additional supportive options that could help.  For example, while there is some overlap between these options,  the Minnesota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind serve about 14,500 and 1,000 individuals per year respectively, MN SRC Annual Report; MN SSB Annual Report and Minnesota counties collectively assist 58,000 per year through employment-related Home and Community Based Waiver programs, (see MN Emp 1st Dashboard, “all waiver programs”).  Also, there are around 17,000 people who benefit from benefit and asset protections from the MA-EPD program, (see MN Emp 1st Dashboard, “MaEpd program”).

We also note that Minnesota, as one of the highest percentage users of subminimum wages (or “special minimum”) under the federal 14c legislation, has around 3,500 individuals earning around $4 per hour on average and for only about 10 hours per week in segregated employment.  Ending the Subminimum Wage in Minnesota; Pay People with Disabilities Minimum Wage or Higher; MN Emp 1st Dashboard.  It is hoped that segregated employment can lead to CIE.

In future posts, MCIL will identify options, strategies and resources for Minnesotans with disabilities to access CIE.

Minnesota Human Rights Act Amended and Strengthened

On May 18, 2026, Governor Walz signed into law a new provision of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.  This provision, found at Chapter 99 - MN Laws,  seeks to strengthen and clarify protections for people with disabilities when they are seeking reasonable accommodations in employment, housing, education, public services and public accommodations.

Specifically, the new provision, which will be included in Minnesota Statute 363A.03, Subd.2,  states:

"Failure to engage in the process to determine if a reasonable accommodation exists that would allow people with disabilities as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 12, to participate fully in employment, housing and real property, public accommodations, public services, and education may be an unfair discriminatory practice under this chapter."

The Minnesota Human Rights Act, Ch. 363A MN Statutes, is similar to, but goes beyond, the protections of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.  Please contact Dan Stewart, dans@mcil-mn.org if you have questions.

Conversation on Post-Viral Chronic Illness Facilitated by the MN Department of Health

On June 2, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is holding “a statewide conversation to improve awareness, support, and community-driven solutions for post-viral chronic conditions such as long COVID.”  MDH will also “introduce the Statewide Roadmap with actionable recommendations for people and organizations across sectors.”  Click on the link below to find out more about this conversation and how to register for it.

Statewide Conversation on Post-Viral Chronic Illness - MN Dept. of Health

The Civics of Health Care: 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions

As Executive Director of Metropolitan Center for Independent Living I am honored to have written this cover article for Minnesota Physician Journal. Now more than ever, advancing independent living as a Center for Independent Living, and for our state and for our country is central to the nature of who we are as a constitutional society. This article elevates the basis of our society which we call the natural laws, that which is self-evident and immutable which are then embodied in our national and state constitutions, There is a direct through-line for stabilizing every family, child and individual with disabilities with the 7 life sustaining dimensions, building vibrant communities which leads to a sustainable economy – as a constitutional society.

Thusly, this is the work of MCIL and also of our generation in advancing the oldest democracy in the world in addressing the constitutional threshold of human suffering due to the crisis lived by many within the disability communities, such as solving the severe humanitarian direct care crisis for families, children and individuals who rely upon direct care services for daily living.

We welcome you to join us in this work.

Sincerely,

Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA
MCIL Executive Director

The Civics of Health Care: 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions

MSN Names Jesse Bethke Gomez Among Top 10 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs

Thank you to MSN for the honor of including MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez among their Top 10 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026. This honor recognizes the work of MCIL in transforming the homecare sector of our healthcare system. Jesse had this to say:

"We are working on scalable solutions to the severe humanitarian direct care crisis for families, children and individuals with disabilities, and older adults who rely upon direct care services for daily living. I believe in the adage: 'Nothing about us without us.' This recognition goes to our leaders, individuals, and communities with disabilities who are guiding this work at MCIL. We can and must solve this crisis by working together and doing so we advance the ability of people to care for one another."

Read Top 10 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026 on the MSN website.

Image courtesy of Pressiqa

Rethinking Care with Constitutional Responsibility and Purpose

MCIL is grateful to The Elite Success Magazine for their latest article, which highlights the direct care crisis and our ongoing efforts to solve it.

"The direct care crisis is one of the most serious humanitarian challenges facing civil society today ... These static policies block stability. They erode personal dignity. They create fear around earning, saving, or accepting help from family. Over time, these pressures compound and trap people in cycles of dependency."

MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez "believes lasting change begins when care is treated as a shared responsibility, not a hidden cost, for everyone involved."

Read the full article, "Rethinking Care with Constitutional Responsibility and Purpose," on The Elite Success website.

Cover of The Elite Success magazine featuring Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Community input on Long COVID needed

As the medical community learns more about Long COVID every day, the impacts on the lives of people with disabilities are becoming increasingly clear. To better understand these impacts, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), a leader in education and outreach on the topic, is launching a new survey and seeking community participation.

The experiences of people with disabilities—including those currently living with Long COVID—are invaluable to this work. MCIL, in partnership with Access Press and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), encourages all community members to share their perspectives.

Learn more on the Access Press website.

Take the MCIL Long COVID Community Survey.

MCIL PCA College Service Corps Program Receives $24,000 Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Grant helps advance innovative program, bringing meaningful change for those impacted by PCA workforce crisis

ST. PAUL, MINN – (January 21, 2026) – The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $24,000 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2025 Direct Effect 1st Cycle Quality of Life grants. Sixty-one grants totaling $1,240,870 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program's inception, more than 4,100 grants totaling $50 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006 -04).

The Reeve Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center offers several grants under the Quality of Life program, awarding grants in various categories with different amounts.

“Each award granted is a reflection of the Foundation’s commitment to advance accessibility, connectivity, and independence for individuals and families impacted by paralysis,” said Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program, Reeve Foundation. The remarkable strides and unwavering dedication these organizations make to further their mission are commendable. These grants illustrate a world of inclusion and accessibility, elevating quality of life for those living with paralysis.”

Funds from this generous grant will support the PCA College Service Corps. This pilot program, facilitated by the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), is a first in the United States of America and is a pioneering approach to address our nation's critical need for Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), which has resulted in dire consequences for the disability community. Stretched impossibly thin, the gap between providers and those relying on care to live independently and safely is not an abstract statistic but a reality with daily, and potentially deadly, consequences. The PCA College Service Corps offers an approach that, at its core, alleviates personal suffering, enhances independence, affirms dignity and respect, advances moral and civic awareness, and stabilizes communities, while building the foundation for a critical workforce and a pathway offering personal and professional rewards.

How it works: The PCA College Service Corps offers college students flexible work hours, an elevated wage, valuable experience toward occupational goals, and the chance to make meaningful connections while serving their community. The program is open to students 18 years of age or older who are currently enrolled in a postsecondary education program in Minnesota. Students commit to 10-, 20-, or 30-week options, spending an average of 10 hours per week working as a PCA. Students are matched with Participants in the Minnesota PCA program who are assessed as needing 10 or more hours of PCA services per day, direct their own care, and are accepted into the PCA College Service Corps. When a match is made, the student meets with the Participant's PCA provider, and if approved, is hired directly by their agency. Training, guidance, and mentoring are provided. In addition to their competitive hourly wage, students can earn between $1,500 and $4,500 as a (taxable) incentive bonus award. The program is funded in part by the State of Minnesota and the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation. Although the program is based in Minnesota, it is designed to be replicated nationwide.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation," stated Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA, MCIL Executive Director. "MCIL is committed to removing barriers and helping people with disabilities live their most independent lives. Our work is fully aligned with Minnesota's constitution, which states that 'Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people, in whom all political power is inherent, together with the right to alter, modify or reform government whenever required by the public good.' This view and the constitutional rights of people, advances independent living as both an individual right, and a community outcome, and are driven to empower people to be whole, housed, and heard. We believe that freedom, safety, and fairness are not optional in systems that affect people's daily lives." Bethke Gomez added, "The Quality of Life grant is a validation of the PCA College Service Corps' potential to advance vibrant communities which in turn is necessary to expand a sustainable economy. This program brings a mindful, human-centered approach to a national crisis, holding great promise in improving the lives of people living with disabilities while building a dedicated workforce of direct care providers. We are grateful to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for their support of this endeavor."

Personal reflections:
Michelle Vrieze, PCA College Service Corps Administrator, shared: "The PCA College Service Corps has become a new avenue, even a go-to, for people who need PCA assistance. Those with disabilities have faced some dark times with staffing in the wake of the pandemic. I am both humbled and elated to see that this program has become the light that gets in for participants and college students alike. Their bond becomes this beautiful balance: students receive experience, mentoring, and funds for education, and participants receive a partner in care, an advocate, and an ally in achieving independent living. Success comes in building ongoing, meaningful connections that allow everyone to thrive."

PCA College Service Corps Participant Rachel offered: "As a lifelong wheelchair user, PCAs are integral to my life, and critical in supporting my daily living activities. I've traveled and worked across the U.S., earned a master's degree, purchased a home, and work full-time, all thanks to their ever-present support. For the past decade, I have directly overseen my care and personally hired my PCAs. Before the PCA CSC came along, finding support services was incredibly stressful. The PCA CSC has alleviated all that anxiety by providing a network of talented, dedicated PCAs. I'm incredibly grateful for all this program has brought to my life. It's been a bonus to get to know these students, hear about their academic pursuits, and even serve as a mentor in their journeys."

PCA College Service Corps Student James reflected: "I was uncertain about pursuing medical studies, and my school advisor suggested I check out the PCA CSC program. It was a life-changing decision. For the past two summers, I have worked with a PCA CSC Participant, "T." My confidence has grown, and I've gained a greater understanding of people and my ability to meet them where they are. "T" and I have formed a deep bond, sharing life advice and our experiences together. Working as a PCA has solidified my desire to work in the medical field and pursue a meaningful career where I can impact and improve people's lives."

About the Reeve Foundation: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discoveries across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperati ve agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services, assisting over 139,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community's voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

About MCIL: Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA, is an award-winning Chief Executive Officer with expertise in executive, strategic, and healthcare leadership. Jesse has served on over 42 Commissions, Boards and Leadership Teams throughout his career. He is among the "100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota" (MN Physicians 2024, 2020). The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is a Twin Cities-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1981 with the mission: "To Advance the Independent Living of People with Disabilities by Removing Barriers and Promoting Choices." The agency is dedicated to the full realization of the Independent Living (IL) philosophy by assisting individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of independent living. MCIL is one of eight Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota and a member of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living. Visit MCIL-MN.org