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Come join us for a fun and festive
6-week Christmas Music in ASL class!
November 4 - December 16 (6 Wednesdays)
1:00 - 2:00 pm | Zoom
Learn and practice Christmas songs in ASL while working on expression, movement, and performance skills. Whether you are brand new to ASL or have taken classes before, everyone is welcome. We will learn the songs together and have plenty of time to practice.
Our final class will be a special evening performance where we will share the songs we have learned with family and friends. It will be a fun way to celebrate the holidays and show off all of our hard work!
Come ready to have fun, learn some ASL, and get into the Christmas spirit!
| | Have fun playing games and making new friends! It’s a chance to relax, laugh, and spend time with others in a friendly and welcoming space. | | |
In-Person
Thursdays, October 8, 22, November 12, December 10
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
DNEM Troy Office
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Virtual
October 13 - May 11
(Second Tuesday of the month)
6:00 - 6:50 pm
on Zoom
| | | Last chance to bike through the park! | | We have 7 adult-sized adaptive bikes. Pick a bike AND a one-hour time slot. Helmets are required. Bring yours or wear one of ours. | | |
October 8, 2026
Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston
Choose a 1-hour time slot between 2:00 and 6:00 pm
| | Adaptive Cycling Sponsor: | | | Questions about Adaptive Cycling? | |
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
586-268-4160
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October 6 - December 15, 2026 (second and fourth Tuesdays)
2:30 - 3:30 pm | DNEM Troy Office
Explore a variety of art forms, including pottery, painting, and pastels in this 6-session class. No prior art experience is needed. All abilities are welcome. Adaptive equipment and modifications will be provided.
| | These groups provide a safe space for stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends to connect with others who have similar experiences. | | |
October 7, 2026
12:00 - 2:00 pm | DNEM Clinton Township Office
A supportive and engaging recreation group for stroke survivors. Meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. This month, bring a game to share with the group or play one of ours as we have fun and socialize.
| | | Stroke Survivors Support Group | |
October 21, 2026
12:00 - 2:00 pm | DNEM Clinton Township Office
| A safe space for stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends to connect with others who have similar experiences. Meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. | | | |
Have fun creating art while supporting DNEM’s annual Art from the Heart fundraiser!
Make an art project that will be considered for the art show. If the artwork is selected, the artist will receive a free ticket to attend the event. If the artwork sells, the artist will receive half of the sale proceeds. Artwork not selected or sold will be returned to the artist. Join us for a fun art experience and help support continued Rec-Connect programs!
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October 19, November 16, & December 14, 2026
1:00 - 2:30 pm | DNEM Fort Gratiot Office
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10:00 - 11:30 am | DNEM Lapeer Office | | | |
10:00 - 11:30 am | DNEM Lapeer Office | | | |
10:00 - 11:30 am | DNEM Lapeer Office | | | | |
This fun, adaptive bowling program is for individuals of all abilities, with no prior bowling experience required. We provide all necessary equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The cost is $12 per bowler, payable to the bowling alley on the day of the event. This cost includes 2 bowling games and shoe rental.
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November 6, 2026
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Imperial Lanes, Clinton Township
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December 4, 2026
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Imperial Lanes, Clinton Township
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October 20, November 17, & December 15, 2026
5:00 - 6:00 pm | DNEM Troy Office
Feel the rhythm and unwind with us through therapeutic drumming. Explore hand drumming, simple musical activities, and the energy of creating sound as a group. No musical experience is needed — it is all about connection, creativity, and enjoying the process. Meets monthly on the third Tuesday of the month through December.
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Join us for a guided nature walk to explore fall foliage and local wildlife.
Trails and buildings are fully accessible. All are welcome.
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October 9, 2026
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Red Oaks Nature Center, Madison Heights
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October 16, 2026
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston
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Questions about the Nature Walks?
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
586-268-4160
| Balance & Stability Fitness | |
Explore movement through stretching and strengthening in this 6-session class. Move your body gently while paying attention to how you feel. Learn to focus on your breathing and how your body moves to help you feel calm, relaxed, and strong. It’s a fun way to connect your mind and body!
Tuesdays, October 13 - November 17, 2026
DNEM Troy Office or Virtually
10:00 - 10:45 am
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Questions about Chair Fitness?
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
586-268-4160
| Disability-Themed Book Club | |
Join our new Disability-Related book club at the Sandusky Public Library from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Join for one month, or all three!
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October 16 & 30, 2026: "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata
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November 6 & 20, 2026: "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio
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December 4 & 18, 2026: The group will choose the book!
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October 18, 2026 | 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Holly Oaks ORV Park
Disability Dirt Days is an off-roading experience designed for people with disabilities! Experience what it’s like to zip through the dirt, bounce over rocks, and splash in the water, paired safely with a volunteer driver. Riders must be at least 10 years old and may bring a guest. Waivers are required.
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Questions about Disability Dirt Days?
Contact the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Team
OCPrecreation@OakGov.com
Call or text 248-221-8040
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October 26, 2026
12:30 - 2:00 pm or 2:30 - 4:00 pm
The Hawk - Farmington Hills Community Center
Sign up for an adaptive archery lesson designed for individuals with disabilities, ages 14 and older. No prior archery experience is required. Adaptive equipment and modifications ensure a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience.
| | Is the AI You Just Built Accessible? | | |
So far, we have looked at a few things. How accessibility makes AI better. Where AI helps. Where it falls short. Now let's get practical.
Are you shipping AI features? Most teams are. Here is how to make sure they work for everyone. Not just the easy users.
First, a few quick terms:
- A screen reader is software that reads what is on a screen out loud. People who are blind or have low vision use it.
- Keyboard focus is the spot on the page that is “active” when you use the keyboard instead of a mouse.
- Zoom at 200% means making everything on screen twice as big.
| | Pull out these checklists the next time you review a feature. | |
Checklist for AI chatbots and assistants
- Can someone move through the whole chat using only the keyboard? Try it. Put your mouse hand behind your back.
- When a new message shows up, does a screen reader say it out loud? Most chatbots forget this part. It needs a small bit of code called an ARIA live region. (ARIA is code that tells screen readers about parts of a page. A “live region” tells the screen reader to announce new content.)
- After the user sends a message, where does the keyboard focus go? It should land somewhere useful. It should not just vanish.
- Is the chat easy to read at 200% zoom, without things breaking?
- Is there a clear, easy way to reach a real person? Hiding that option is a common trick.
- If your bot times out, does it warn the user first?
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Checklist for AI that builds pages and content
Many teams now use AI to make pages, forms, or whole screens on the fly. But AI does not make accessible code on its own.
- Does the code use real headings, real buttons, and real form labels? Or just plain boxes dressed up to look like them? (Using the right code tag for each part of a page is called semantic HTML.)
- Are colors checked for contrast? Or is the AI just picking ones that look nice? (Contrast is the difference in lightness between text and its background. Enough contrast makes text easy to read.)
- Do the images have alt text? Or are they just empty image tags? (Alt text is a short written description of an image that a screen reader can read out loud.)
- If users can ask the AI to build screens, can they also ask it for accessible ones? And does it actually listen?
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Checklist for voice interfaces
- Not everyone can speak. Some users are mute. Some have speech disabilities. Some just cannot talk where they are right now. Is there always a way to type instead?
- Not everyone can hear. Does your voice tool also show its answers on screen?
- Does it understand accents, non-native speakers, and different ways of speaking? Most do not do this well.
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Checklist for AI agents that take action
These features actually “do” things. They book the meeting. They send the email. They update the record.
- Does the user get a clear note about what the AI just did?
- Can they undo it or cancel it?
- Does it ask first, before big actions?
- Can a screen reader read the list of actions?
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A few rules for all of it
Try using your feature five ways:
- with only a keyboard
- with a screen reader
- at 200% zoom
- with motion turned off (the setting that limits animations)
- with the sound off
If it still works, it is probably in good shape. If it does not, you just shipped something that shuts out real customers.
The fastest way to find out is to test it with real users.
Right now, AI features get a lot of slack. They are new and exciting. That window will close. The teams who build for everyone from day one will not have to rebuild later.
| Read other articles in our AI & Accessibility series: | Have Questions about AI and Digital Accessibility? | | |
Contact Amy Maes, Access and Advocacy Services Director
| | Disability Network Eastern Michigan has a team of Community Information Specialists ready to assist you in finding resources. We can support inquiries about advocacy, accessibility, housing resources, transportation, high school transition, community transition services, veteran services, and more. Call us! | | |
Oakland and Macomb County:
586-268-4160
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Thumb Region:
810-987-9337
| | Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | |
Accommodations: Please contact DNEM with accommodation requests.
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Medicare open enrollment is October 15 to December 7.
First time enrolling? Want to switch plans? Overwhelmed by the choices?
We can help you enroll, compare, and understand how each Medicare plan can benefit you, including:
- Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
- Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
- Medicare Drug Coverage (Part D)
If you meet income and asset limits, we can also help you apply for:
- Medicare Extra Help (Low-income subsidy for Part D)
- Medicare Savings Program (Low-income subsidy for Part B)
There is no charge for these services.
Schedule an Appointment
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Oakland & Macomb County:
586-268-4160
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Thumb Region:
810-987-9337
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Do you need support now?
Or are you worried about a loved one who may need crisis support?
| | Your Consumer Experience Defines Our Success | | It is our pleasure to serve the community as we believe people with disabilities should have the same options, and control over choices in their own lives as do people without disabilities. We hope you will share your experience with us, allowing us to connect with others who will benefit from our services. Please take a moment to provide a Google review. | | Disability Network Eastern Michigan is committed to promoting independent living by breaking down barriers and opening paths towards personal choice through resources, advocacy, information, support, and education. | | Follow our social media pages to remain up-to-date with everything happening at DNEM. | | | | |
