Disability Network Southwest Michigan's quarterly newsletter |
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Annual ADA Anniversary Celebration |
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Join us online this year for our annual ADA anniversary celebration! 2021 marks the thirty-first anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will be holding this year's event online.
Friday, July 23 at 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM
All attendees will be entered in a drawing for one of four $25 Amazon gift cards.
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Keynote Speaker: Dessa Cosma |
Dessa is the Executive Director of Detroit Disability Power which she founded in 2018 to grow the organizing power of the disability community and to continue bridging the gap between the disability community and larger social justice movements. She has particular interest in disability focused political work that is grounded in anti-racism and economic justice. |
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Joel Cooper: "The Pioneer"
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As we prepare for the retirement of our President & CEO after 20 years at the helm, Mary Fortney, IL Specialist at Disability Network, puts into words the impact Joel has made on the Disability Rights Movement and the communities he has served in Michigan.
Follow this link to read " The Pioneer," a tribute to Joel Cooper. |
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Enjoying the Great (Accessible) Outdoors!
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Summer is here and there is no better time to get outside and enjoy the great state of Michigan! If you are a person with a mobility disability, it can be frustrating to explore new recreational areas if you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, more parks and recreation areas are incorporating accessibility into their design.
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RAMP-A-THON supports our Ramp Up program |
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Disability Network’s annual RAMP-A-THON kicks off at our ADA celebration on July 23. RAMP-A-THON raises money to provide ramps for people with mobility disabilities in our service area. Ramps allow everyone equal opportunity to be part of their community.
This year, our Ramp Up program needs your financial support more than ever. Due to the rising cost of lumber and other building materials, the average cost of a ramp has increased nearly 70%. Please help us create “Accessibility for All” with your RAMP-A-THON donation.
Make a RAMP-A-THON donation of $5 or more on or before July 23 to receive a RAMP-A-THON T-shirt!
Make a donation online at www.dnswm.org or drop a check in the mail to: RAMP-A-THON / Disability Network
517 E. Crosstown Parkway
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
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Special thanks to our RAMP-A-THON
corporate sponsors:
- Allied Mechanical Services
- AVID, an Employee Resource Group of Whirlpool Corporation
- Charles River Laboratories
- Integrity Back & Brain
- Kalsec
- Senior Services of Southwest Michigan
- Paragon Ophthalmology
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Your RAMP-A-THON dollars at work:
Meet Bonnie
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For years, Bonnie worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant—caring for people who were healing after an illness or injury. Bonnie loved helping others but, eventually, arthritis in her knees forced her to quit working and start using a walker for mobility. As her disability progressed, she was no longer able to get up or down the steps on her own. She was trapped—unable to access the community for shopping or doctor’s appointments. Not only was community access a concern, but Bonnie was concerned about what could happen if there was an emergency and she couldn’t get out of the house.
Through our Ramp Up program, Disability Network coordinated the funding, materials and volunteers to build a ramp on Bonnie's home so that she is safe and can access the community.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance |
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We have received funding to provide COVID-19 vaccination assistance to people with disabilities who are having difficulty accessing a COVID-19 vaccination. We can help with things like arranging transportation, finding a location near you, and making appointments.
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Youth Benefits Counseling |
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We have extended our Benefits Counseling program to include services for youth and young adults. As people transition from a school environment to a work environment, there are often questions about the impact of work earnings on Social Security disability benefits. Our Youth Benefits Counseling program is offered to young adults with disabilities, ages 14-26, to answer these questions. Individuals receive a clear, personalized report with information to empower them to make informed choices for their future. The goal is to help the young person toward financial success.
To schedule an appointment for one of our certified Benefits Planners to meet with a student and their family, contact Allison: leecea@dnswm.org or (269) 345-1516 x110.
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COMING SOON:
21-Day Equity Challenge: Disability Justice
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We have been invited to partner with United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region to develop a 21-Day Challenge focused on Disability Justice. The Challenge, which will run through the month of October, is designed to raise your awareness, increase your understanding and shift your perspective about disability in our culture. |
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Community Education Online Programming
Our Community Education programming remains online. Visit our website for a listing of upcoming Community Education events.
To register for any of our events, use the online registration forms on our website or contact Miranda at grunwellm@dnswm.org or 269-345-1516 x120. |
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Disability Network Southwest Michigan serves 8 counties in Southwest Michigan:
Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren
Office Locations:
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Kalamazoo: 517 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Kalamazoo, MI 49001, phone: (269) 345-1516
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St. Joseph: 2900 Lakeview Avenue., St. Joseph, MI 49085, phone: (269) 985-0111
For the accessibility and well-being of our employees and visitors, Disability Network Southwest Michigan is a fragrance-free office. Please do not wear scented products when visiting.
Our Publications:
You can sign up online for our publications at www.dnswm.org, or contact Dale at
abbottd@dnswm.org or (269) 345-1516 x123. Current and past issues of our publications are available on our website.
This newsletter is available in alternative format upon request.
Support Our Work:
You can help support the work we do with a tax-deductible donation to Disability Network. Visit our website to donate online or call Kristen at (269) 345-1516 x119.
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Visit out website to learn more about us:
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