Kids are heading back to school, leaves are starting to turn, and we’re looking back on an August filled with educational opportunities, recreation, and fun across Michigan. Amid all the excitement this past month, we worked to make real progress on our State Independent Living Plan goals and to enhance the lives of Michiganders with disabilities. From educating people about ableism and bias to helping people plan for emergencies to hosting social and recreational gatherings, SILC and the CILs are raising awareness, changing perspectives, and promoting inclusion one webinar, celebration, or event at a time. We’re grateful for your support and proud to serve our Michigan communities.
For the latest news, events, and resources, follow us on Instagram or Facebook or visit www.misilc.org.
August Recap
In case you missed it, here’s what SILC and the CILs were up to in August:
Disability Equity Challenge
The Disability Equity Challenge invited people to challenge their assumptions about disability and promoted understanding, inclusion, and equity by signing up to receive 21 awareness-raising emails over 21 weekdays. The CILs and United Way organizations across Michigan co-led this effort to shift our culture’s perspectives and expectations of people with disabilities. We had a total of 1496 participants from South Central Michigan United Way counties (Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo), Washtenaw County.
Emergency Planning Training
Our State Plan for Independent Living Objective 1.3 is to ensure people with disabilities are prepared for a range of emergency situations, from natural disasters to pandemics. In August, Disability Network Mid-Michigan hosted a three-session training program to teach over 100 participants how to create an action plan and support network, develop a “Go Kit” and evacuation plan, and to complete advanced care directives and ensure their personal safety.
DiversAbility Days
On August 5th and 25th, Disability Network Eastern Michigan and Oakland County Parks teamed up to provide two DiversAbility Days of accessible recreation for everyone. Participants enjoyed food, fun, and activities including archery, fishing, biking, pontoon boat rides, and geocaching. Everyone had a great time
National Senior Citizens Day
Senior citizens comprise a growing part of Michigan’s population and the disability community, and they deserve our recognition and support. They are also a key part of our outreach and State Plan for Independent Living. #NationalSeniorCitizensDay occurred on August 21st and reminded us all to respect the contributions and important roles of our elders, help them age-in-place, and acknowledge our collective need for access and inclusion. Find resources for senior citizens at your local CIL: dnmichigan.org/cils/
Allen Beauchamp
Board Member Allen Beauchamp and his wife Joan live in Negaunee in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A graduate of Northern Michigan University, Allen oversees environmental, health, safety, and employee training procedures at Argonics, Inc. In addition to his role at MISILC, Allen is a board member and treasurer at Disability Network Upper Peninsula (SAIL), a member of the DNR Accessibility Advisory Council, and the General Manager of the only adaptive sled hockey organization in the Upper Peninsula. In his free time, Allen enjoys playing sled hockey, adaptive downhill skiing, hand cycling, kayaking, and going for rides with his wife on their side-by-side.
Melinda Kulasa
Melinda "Mindy" Kulasa is a MISILC Board Member and has spent her career helping people and nonprofits thrive. She is currently a Preferred Educator with Professional Edustaff and Educational Services Group, previously owned a professional advisory services firm helping nonprofits and small businesses, and worked in development for the Bronson Health Foundation and in leadership roles at First of America / National City Bank. She is also a chairperson and past treasurer of the board for Disability Network--Southwest Michigan, and has served with many other organizations in Southwest Michigan including Saint Ann Parish, Vineyard Academy, Junior Achievement, Michigan City CDC, and the United Way.
Stephanie Deible
Stephanie Deible is a MISILC Board Member and disability services professional devoted to empowering people with disabilities and promoting independent living. She is a Community Inclusion Specialist with Disability Network West Michigan, a Youth Engaged in Leading and Learning ambassador with Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, and the prior Executive Director of Ms. Wheelchair America, a nonprofit organization giving women who use wheelchairs a platform for sharing experiences, raising awareness, and advocating for themselves and others.
Zoom Trivia Tuesdays
Every Tuesday at 1:30pm
Test your trivia skills and make some friends on Zoom with the Ann Arbor CIL’s virtual trivia. RSVP to anna@aacil.org or call 734-971-0277 x 17
Paving the Way to Self-Determination Program
Paving the Way to Self Determination is an online program supporting children with developmental disabilities (ages birth-12) and their families by introducing the concepts and tools they need to lead self-determined lives.
Topics include:
Disability Pride, History, and Allyship
Social Security Benefits
Supported Decision Making
How to Ask for an Accomodation
Learn more or register at www.dnswm.org/services_menu/independent-living/paving-the-way-to-self-determination/
55+ Virtual Peer Support Group
Every Thursday at 1pm Starting Sept. 1st
Connect with other people with disabilities aged 55 and older to discuss various topics related to living with a disability. Group meets via Zoom and pre-registration is required; call (313) 788-0794 for more information.
Weekly Webinars
Join Disability Network Southwest Michigan each week in September for webinars addressing ableism and serving customers with disabilities. Days and times vary; visit www.dnswm.org/events/2022-09/ to learn more or register.
Webmovie Code of the Freaks
September 30th at 10:00 am
A documentary film examining the representation of disabled people in film and the impact on perceptions and identity. Learn more or register at www.dnswm.org/webmovie-code-of-freaks/
Increasing Access in Michigan’s Great Outdoors
Did you know that recreational areas across Michigan have made major changes to improve accessibility? From track wheelchairs at Sleeping Bear Dunes to adaptive systems at Interlochen Center for the Arts for people with hearing impairments, organizations are making inclusion a priority in Michigan’s top vacation spots. Learn more about accessible destinations in Michigan at www.traversecity.com/blog/post/accessing-the-inaccessible/ or by connecting with your local CIL: dnmichigan.org/cils/
New Parking Signs for New Perceptions
In August, one day before the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4075 and HB 4076, which update accessible parking signs across Michigan. The new signs replace the word “handicapped” with “reserved” and depict a more active person using a wheelchair, challenging stereotypes and perceptions about people with disabilities or those who need mobility assistance. MISILC, the CILs, and several other partners in the disability rights movement have worked for years to modify the prior design, which was adopted in 1969. Learn more at www.dnmm.org/post/state-of-michigan-approves-update-to-parking-signs-for-people-with-disabilities