October 2022

banner says hello October and there is a pumpkin beside it with candy and miscellaneous Halloween objects spilled around

October Awareness Days

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

World Cerebral Palsy Day – October 6
World Sight Day – October 10
World Mental Health Day – October 10.
White Cane Awareness Day – October 15
Invisible Disabilities Week – October 17-23
Halloween - October 31

National Disability Employment Awareness Month history:

"The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

Learn more about the NDEAM history through this link.

Agency Updates

The office in Lenawee is open and going well. Staff have been working and meeting community members there for last few weeks.

Pre-ETS classes have returned to the classrooms at local high schools.

We are still able to help coordinate for any COVID vaccine shots for people that are unable to get out to a vaccine site. Call 517-998-3084 and follow the prompts to leave a message.

At the September board meeting we had members take on new roles and said "THANK YOU" to longtime member and former Board President, Brad Williams. Brad steps away from the board after many years of dedicated service. Pam Gosla is our new disAbility Connections Board President. She has graciously been a longtime board member and now takes on the role of President following Margaret O'Malley's term ending. If you are interested in being a board member - contact Jon Hart, Director, at 517-998-3082.

We are looking forward to The Inclusion Event in just a few weeks and hope that you will consider coming.

Ribbon Cutting

Our entire staff and Board President Margaret O'Malley came together on September 15th for the ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the Open House at our office in Lenawee County. It was a great opportunity to meet with people from other offices within the Human Services building. Members from the Lenawee Chamber of Commerce came and brought the official red ribbon along with the over-sized scissors to make it truly official.

We are excited to physically be in the community and grateful to be in the Human Services building next door to the Department on Aging on the 3rd floor. Give us a call at 517-264-5330.

three children using mobility devices are in adapted costumes one is a pirate with his wheelchair like a ship one is a princess but her wheelchair looks like a carriage and the third is using a walker and in a unicorn costume

Getting In the Spirit

Spooky season (AKA Halloween) is here! A chance to dive into a character or express your inner desires to act. Complete with a costume and all. For people with disabilities, the costume part is where the fun was limited in the past. Not so much anymore!

Costumes are being designed with disabilities in mind and made with materials more accommodating to various life styles. Costumes include various fasteners like buttons, Velcro, or snaps rather than only zippers. The costumes contain access points for feeding tubes or other designs helpful to people who use wheelchairs, crutches, or other mobility devices. Costumes have also been designed to incorporate mobility devices right into part of the overall costume.

These following links showcase available options out there and provide inspiration and tips to assist people making transformations into an outfit the whole neighborhood will be talking about!

The Inclusion Event - with special guest Lizzie Acker

Thursday, October 13th, @ 6PM - host: Scott Clow

In recognition of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, join us for FREE inside the Commonwealth Commerce Center in Jackson. Don't miss this great opportunity to enjoy a casual evening with free appetizers, music, 50/50 drawing* cash bar, browse gift baskets up for raffle*, and livestream with baker/artist Lizzie Acker from the UK to make something quick and tasty. All funds raised will be used to allow us to continue providing our Access for All, Ramps, Respite Care, Loan Closet, and Fix-dis programs.

Lizzie is most well known for being an extremely popular contestant on the ‘Great British Bake Off’ in 2021 when she reached the quarter-finals. Now, at only 29 years old, she is also using her skills and knowledge of baking as a form of art to express herself. Since the show she has become very open about having ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia and keen to work to raise awareness of the conditions.

Virtual and In-Person options to attend.
MUST register for either in-person or virtual
There is limited in-person seating so register now
Call 517-782-6054 to register by phone.

*Only in-person attendees are eligible for any baskets, raffles, or drawings.

thank you to the sponsors of the inclusion event with logos sorted by sponsorship level team player sponsors are jackson breakfast rotary pc solutions willis and jurasek county national and old national bank collaborative sponsors are comerica bank eaton

white flyer stating We are looking for some additional art made by people with disabilities to display during The Inclusion Event. Email a copy of the work and reason of what art means to and why you want it displayed to Lora@disabilityconnect.org