LANSING, Mich. (July 25, 2022) – As we celebrate the 32-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, it’s important to highlight our state’s own efforts to aid Michiganders living with disabilities. Michigan’s Statewide Independent Living Council (MI-SILC) is tasked with helping those with disabilities live independent and successful lives across the state.

“The anniversary of the ADA is such an important milestone,” says Steve Locke, MI-SILC’s executive director. “It was a critical step towards equality for those with disabilities, but we obviously still have a very long way to go.”

MI-SILC, and their partners, promote a philosophy of independent living. This includes consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of people with disabilities. They promote integration and full inclusion of people with disabilities into the mainstream of society.

“We really are just a conduit,” says Jan Lampman, MI-SILC’s Executive Committee Chair and Council Member. “We connect folks with our statewide network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs), who offer lots of resources to help them live independent lives.”

The CILs provide an array of services and programs. For example, the Disability Network of Kent County (DAKC), which covers Kent, Mecosta, Ionia, Montcalm, and Osceola counties, aims to help individuals with physical, cognitive, mental, and sensory disabilities and their families. They have a variety of projects underway. DAKC raised $2.5 million to fund its Capital Campaign to renovate new space on the Special Olympics Michigan campus. Their occupational therapy team is helping seniors by completing home modifications and allowing them to age at home. DAKC also is completing a summer career preparation workshop for youth and they kicked off a young professional group with networking opportunities and service projects. They are consulting with businesses and organizations about how they can include accessibility, including a recent partnership with Gerald R. Ford International Airport for an accessibility review. They also reach out to traditionally marginalized populations with their Black & Brown Community Partner Luncheons.

“We have so much going on here,” says Nathan Slauer, DAKC’s Annual Fund Manager. “We’re a very cohesive team and we are working relentlessly to help our community’s residents with disabilities. I think that’s apparent from what we’ve achieved, but we’re not letting our foot off the gas anytime soon.”

SILC’s partnership with the CILs has led to many success stories. Jeffrey VanDyke, a peer mentor and graphic designer with Disability Network of West Michigan (DNWM), which covers Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, Lake, and Mason Counties, originally started out as a consumer.

“I initially came to DNWM as a consumer,” says VanDyke. “From there, I volunteered and ultimately participated in an On-Job-Experience at our DNWM office. It essentially is a trial work period where I was able to try out various work accommodations in a safe environment and with the support of coworkers in an inclusive atmosphere. Ultimately, I was hired as a graphic designer in 2019, a position which I still hold today, and I have expanded into being a peer mentor as well.”

For more information or to connect with a CIL in your area, please visit https://www.misilc.org.

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