Lillian Meier turned 98 in August, but she won't let age - or the vision loss she has experienced from macular degeneration - slow her down. Meier reads books, plays bridge, attends church and volunteers at a church-sponsored nursing home each week. How does she do it? She does it with the assistance of Minnesota State Services for the Blind.

SSB is a public/private partnership that serves blind, visually impaired and DeafBlind Minnesotans. Services assist seniors, other adults, youth and children to gain skills and access information so that they may become or remain employed, and be independent in their homes and communities.

SSB enables people to continue to work, to participate in their communities and to avoid expensive long-term care. Services include training in basic living skills and counseling services as well as audio or braille transcriptions of printed materials.

Visually impaired seniors need not be legally blind to take advantage of the services. A senior can receive a visit from a SSB, Senior Service Unit staff person in their home or other central locations. That person will assess a person's vision and make recommendations for daily living, provide aids and devices (magnifiers, talking clocks, etc) and offer opportunities for training in adjustment to vision loss. For services from the Senior Service Unit, call 800/652-9000 and ask for Sue Crancer to set up an appointment. These are state-sponsored services and are available at no cost.

SSB's radio reading service provides audio versions of books, magazines and newspapers via a closed circuit radio receiver distributed by SSB. You may be able to take advantage of the National Library Service's books on tape program and a service that permits you to listen to newspapers using a touch-tone telephone. These services are free and available to anyone who is unable to read due to a physical or vision impairment. For audio reading programs call Chris Schmiesser at 800/652-9000.