October was scarily good here at SILC as we shared resources and information with our communities, participated in social and recreational events, and gathered your insight to hone our FY2024 State Plan for Independent Living. We also honored Disability Employment Awareness Month with educational webinars for employers and job-seekers and showed how inclusion makes all of our worlds better. Now, we’re looking ahead to the holiday season and planning even more outreach and activities in support of independent living. See what we accomplished this past month and what’s on the horizon for SILC and the CILs! Thank you for your support,
- Steve Locke, MI SILC Executive Director
For the latest news, events, and resources, follow us on Instagram or Facebook or visit www.misilc.org.
Share Your Insights!
Different month, different survey! We’re seeking responses from people with disabilities and their families about potential service needs and resource gaps in your community. This survey will help SILC and the CILs, plus Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP), and the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services (MCRS) provide the best service possible to our residents.
Please click the link that applies to you below, and thank you for your participation!
If you are a Michigan resident with a disability, click here.
If you are a family member or a friend of a Michigan resident with a disability, click here.
A Look Back
In case you missed it, here’s what SILC and the CILs were up to in October:
Disability Employment Month
October was Disability Employment Month, and it is an important reminder that people with disabilities are capable and dedicated employees and that they are still more likely to be un- or underemployed compared to people without disabilities. Last month, our CILs hosted webinars for employers about how to make workplaces more inclusive and how a diverse staff benefits everyone, and we’ll have more training sessions to come. Together, we can battle misperceptions and reduce disparities in the workforce for people with disabilities.
Invisible Disability Awareness Week
Invisible disabilities are too often overlooked, even though they can have as much of an impact on our lives as more apparent disabilities. Ensuring people with invisible disabilities have the resources they need starts with raising awareness about this issue. In a win for disability rights advocates and organizations like us, Governor Whitmer signed a proclamation declaring Oct 16-22nd as “Invisible Disability Awareness Week.” This is a crucial step in broadening society’s perceptions of disability.
The Inclusion Event
On Oct. 13, DisAbility Connections brought participants together for “The Inclusion Event,” a night of socializing, art, and a fun food-preparation experience with The Great British Baking Show contestant Lizzie Acker. It was a fantastic evening for all, and we can’t wait for next year’s event!
Disability Network Northern Michigan has proudly served northern lower Michigan since 2002. Based in Traverse City, DNNM is led by a board and staff composed primarily of people with disabilities. They provide independent living support, career planning, recreation and social opportunities, and more for people with apparent and “invisible” disabilities alike. Thank you to DNNM for your hard work!
Disability Network of the Upper Peninsula (SAIL) is the UP’s resource for information and referral, peer support, career planning, recreation, and many other services. SAIL is based in Marquette and has served communities across the UP since 1998. They are proud to promote inclusion and fight ableism every day with their important work. Thank you, SAIL!
Spirit Club Fitness: Join a one-hour, inclusive virtual exercise program.
Click your preferred dates or locations below to register:
Mondays from 9:30 - 10:30 AM via Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. via Disability Network Northern Michigan
Intro to Neurodiversity
Learn about ableism, inclusion, and neurodiversity in our Intro to Neurodiversity webinar series.
Thursday, November 3, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesday, November 9, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Citizen Sam Documentary
Nov. 11, 10am-12pm: Learn about the life and experiences of Sam Sullivan, a quadriplegic city councilor running for mayor of Vancouver. Join us online or by phone, and register at https://www.dnswm.org/webmovie-citizen-sam/
Do's & Don'ts of Assistance Animals Webinar
Learn about the differences between service animals and emotional support animals, including relevant laws. RSVP at https://www.dnswm.org/webinar-dos-donts-of-assistance-animals-2/
Thursday, November 17, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Tuesday, November 29, 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Book Club: All Our Families
(by Jennifer Natalya Fink)
Start reading now and join the online book club on Dec. 15 from 12pm-1:30pm to discuss Fink’s exploration of disability and family narratives. Sign up at https://www.dnswm.org/event/online-book-club-4/
Men’s and Women’s Peer Support
Zoom Men’s Group, Mondays from 10am-11am hosted by Disability Network Northern Michigan. RSVP at https://www.disabilitynetwork.org/events/mens-group-november-zoom-meetings-2/
Zoom Women’s Group, Tuesdays from 11am-12:30pm hosted by Disability Network Southwest Michigan. RSVP at https://www.dnswm.org/event/phenomenal-women-support-group-2021-10-05-2022-09-27/2022-11-08/
Thriving With Technology
Learn how to use technology safely with Disability Network Northern Michigan. Join a weekly Wednesday session or our monthly one-day training. To register, click the link for the date/time/topic you prefer below:
Nov. 2, 12pm-1pm (TikTok, Instagram)
Nov. 16, 12pm-1pm (Alexa and FitBit)
Trivia Tuesdays with the Ann Arbor CIL
Test your knowledge via Zoom every Tuesday from 1:30pm-2:30pm.
RSVP to anna@aacil.org or 734-971-0277 x 17
LGBTQ+ and Disability
Nov. 17, 6pm-7pm: Discuss issues at the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identity in a peer group—join Disability Network Eastern Michigan’s RISE: LGBTQ + Disability Peer Support Group: https://www.dnemichigan.org/event/rise-lgbtq-disability-peer-support-group/2022-11-17/
Parents and Disability Support
For resources and peer support while raising a child with a disability, join our parent peer support groups. Click the link of your preferred session to learn more or sign up!
Nov 15 from 7pm-9pm, hosted by Disability Network Northern Michigan
Nov 21 from 12pm-1pm, hosted by Disability Network Eastern Michigan
A PlayABLE Park for Port Huron
Port Huron is the latest city to make sure everyone can have a fun-filled playground experience. Port Huron Parks & Rec is currently revamping the Gratiot Park playground to include an accessible merry-go-round, wheelchair swings, a ramped play structure, and more. “PlayABLE Walk and Roll” is expected to open in Spring 2023. Learn more: https://www.secondwavemedia.com/the-keel/devnews/PlayABLE.aspx
A Dedicated Doctor and a Generous Grant = Better Opportunities for All
Dr. Feranmi Okanlami, physician and Director of UofM Disability Services and Adaptive Sports program, recently received a million-dollar grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to support programming for people living with spinal cord injuries. Dr. Okanlami was a high-performance athlete and trained to be a physician when he experienced a spinal cord injury himself in 2013. He learned about adaptive sports during physical therapy and has advocated for access and inclusion in recreation, medicine, and our greater society ever since. Read more about Dr. Okanlami and this grant at https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/hero-doctor-dedicated-empowering-disabled-community-receives-million-91785093 or find inclusive athletic opportunities for people with a range of disabilities at https://www.umadaptivesports.com
Recognizing Talent & Hard Work
Disability Advocates’ Executive Director Dave Bulkowski was honored as one of Grand Rapids Business Journal’s top 200 most powerful business leaders. Learn more at https://grbj.com/grand-rapids-200/
