OVER 30 YEARS OF PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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LABOR DAY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
There are more than 22 million working-age people with disabilities in America, and today fewer than 1 in 3 has a job. This Labor Day, it is important to look beyond the headlines and see where there is hope for the future. Yes, people with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, across the country, there are professionals in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors dedicated to finding solutions and making the future of work better for Americans living with a disability.
Earlier this summer, leaders from across the economic and political spectrum gathered during RespectAbility's annual ADA summit to discuss strategies, emerging practices, and advancing inclusion for workers with disabilities. With the annual celebration of Labor Day, now is a good chance for decision-makers to reflect on what advancing opportunities for people with disabilities really means.
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| | The Private Sector and the Future of Work for People with Disabilities |
LABOR DAY: Traveling With a Physical Disability
With some of us making travel plans for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, our friends at the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living drafted a few tips for accessible travel. These are just a few examples of things you can do to make traveling with a physical disability easier; we suggest googling your specific destinations and travel plans to get the best tips for your specific plans.
- Restaurants: Sometimes when you arrive at a restaurant, it may appear that the facility is not accessible. Always call ahead to ask or check the website because an accessible entrance, while perhaps not as convenient, may in fact be available if not obvious.
- Hotels: Hotels often have designated accessible rooms with a variety of accessibility features. Try to reserve this room when booking, and ask about the specific accessibility features you need. For example, many hotel beds have frames that do not allow for easy use of a Hoyer lift; if you use a Hoyer, be sure yours will work with the bed.
- Air travel: Generally, changing flights is a hassle for people with disabilities, so nonstop flights are often better. However, you may want to avoid a long flight because you will not be able to use the restroom on the plane; in this case, multiple connecting flights might be better. Always be sure to allow for extra layover time if using connecting flights.
- Car travel: Plan lots of breaks. While you may sit in the car frequently for short trips, longer car trips can get extremely uncomfortable for people with disabilities. Plan frequent breaks, and assess before you go how a long car ride will affect you.
TRAVEL IDEAS
There are many bloggers online telling their stories as travelers with disabilities. One such award-winning blogger, Cory Lee, recently toured Michigan. We highly recommend his site as he has traveled the world over and shares those experiences from a wheelchair user's perspective.
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DNMM SPONSORING 2021
DOW RUN WALK
The annual Dow Run Walk will be held on Saturday, September 18 in Midland. Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is the awards sponsor for this event that brings in 800 to 1000 participants each year.
"We so often hear that businesses, organizations, or community groups didn't think to make something accessible because they don't see people with disabilities showing up," said Kelly PeLong, Executive Director at DNMM. "By sponsoring the race and showing up, our staff and supporters let our communities know we want to be included AND we want equal access. That's fundamentally what Disability Network is all about: access and inclusion."
Race day kicks off with half-marathon at 7:00am, followed by the 5K and 10K Run Walks and the 1 Mile Fun Run. Cost to enter the race is $30.
Packet pickup is Friday, September 17th from 3:30pm to 6:30pm at the Midland Curling Center. Outside there will be live music, food trucks, and information tables.
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John is a happy and outgoing person who loves being active. He enjoys living in Saginaw with his family. With DNMM Supports Coordination, he is able to attend programs that he enjoys and he can be active both socially and physically. John is looking forward to things getting back to normal so can enjoy time with friends and help out those in need.
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Special Events:
September 14th, 21st, and 28th
Rice Cooker Class! - Learn to make great recipes in rice cooker (supplied by DNMM). Participants MUST sign up as there is a limit of 24 spots AND you must commit to ALL three weeks.
September 8th: 12- 1pm - Prepare to Advocate: Learning to Tell Your Story
September 16th - IN PERSON ACTIVITY
Bowling at Stardust Lanes in Saginaw. Contact LB or Mike if you want to participate.
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Mondays - 11:00am
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Thursdays - 11:30am
Social Lunch, Giant Jenga, Giant Plinko and more!
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Alt. Tuesdays - 3:30pm
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Wednesdays - 3:00pm
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Matinees - Monday & Friday
1:00 - 3:00pm
September selections include: Now You See It, Splash, Beethoven, and I Can Only Imagine. Mondays will be devoted to series that the peers select.
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Thursdays - 2:00pm
September Activities include: Crafting, group, Virtual Event: "Good Mythical Morning," and "Cooking With Peers." |
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The Great Lakes Loons are back in town for the first of their two remaining homestands this season! There's never been a better time to take the family out to enjoy America's favorite pastime!
Disability Network Mid-Michigan is proud to once again be the official sponsor of Accessible Services at Dow Diamond. We applaud the Loons organization and the facility staff for working to make Dow Diamond an accessible place where everyone can Dive In!
DNMM is hosting a season-long series of photo contests. Every two weeks we'll be asking Loons fans and area residents to submit photos showcasing everything from summer fun to restaurants.
This week, we're showcasing our information and referral program. Our I&R team can connect with you resources to help you access your community and so much more.
We'd love to have you share with us an example of a resource that helps you access your community: from bus tickets to assistive technology devices! If you share a photo, you'll have a chance to win a $50 gift card of your choice! Let's have some fun as we celebrate Loons Baseball and efforts to make our communities accessible and inclusive!
The link takes you to our Facebook page. Simply post your photo in the comments section of the Photo Contest post pinned at the top of our news feed.
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SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
Are you prepared to handle an emergency situation? Do you have a plan? September is National Preparedness Month!
Throughout the month DNMM will share with you tips and tools to help you and your loved ones become prepared for emergencies. Emergency Preparedness will help you in the event of a severe thunderstorm and or even a tornado. These events may cause loss of electricity or even your home. Stay tuned all month and learn how to be in control of an emergency vs. having the emergency control you.
DNMM is excited to once again offer MY3P (My Personal Protection Plan) - an emergency preparedness series that will help you Get Ahead, Be Informed, and Make a Plan.
The seminars take place
on the third Wednesday of each month starting this October 20th. Topics Include:
- "Creating My Action Plans and Support Network"
- "Creating My Go Kit and Evacuation Plan + Assistive Technology For Your Go Kit"
- "Advanced Care Directives"
All sessions are FREE of charge and will be conducted virtually on Zoom. Participants will be given flash drives with all the essential resources to customize their plan.
Class size is limited so REGISTER TODAY!
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WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR MEDICARE/MEDICAID QUESTIONS
Do you need extra help paying for your Medicare Part D prescription plan?
Call us to see if you are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. We can help you with screening questions and do the application over the phone in as little as 15 minutes!
Do you need help paying your Medicare premiums?
Call us today to see if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. We can assist you with checking your eligibility and doing the application over the phone.
Did you know that there are many preventative health and screening services included with your Medicare coverage?
Some of the things you may be eligible for include:
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Screening:
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
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Testing and services:
- Nutrition Therapy
- Glaucoma
- Mammograms
- Tobacco use cessation counseling
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These are just some of the many services you could access. Call today for more information and a full list of preventative health benefits!
CALL US TODAY! WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!
1-800-782-4160
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At Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, inclusion is a universal human right for all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other discernible quality. To be inclusive is to promote a sense of belonging, respect, and value for who you are as a person. It is about equal access and opportunities for everyone. Inclusion is an integral part of our Independent Living philosophy and of our agency's vision of "Accessible and Inclusive communities that provide opportunities for individual choice."
In the twelve counties we serve in Mid-Michigan, Disability Network offices have been, and continue to be, places of solace, understanding, and information for all. We are committed to promoting and protecting diversity and inclusion, within our offices, among our community partners, and throughout the 15 Centers for Independent Living in Michigan.
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DNMM advocates for the removal of barriers to independence and full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Mid-Michigan area. DNMM pledges to ensure accessibility. Each year, DNMM conducts a review of its own architectural, environmental, attitudinal, employment, communication, transportation, and other barriers that may exist which prohibit full access to our services.
If you have any issues of concern regarding the accessibility of DNMM services and facilities, we encourage you to share that information with us.
Please send your concerns or suggestions to:
Executive Director
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan
1705 S. Saginaw Road
Midland, MI 48640
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