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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Disability Network Southwest Michigan
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T120000
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SUMMARY:Webinar: Understanding Hidden Disabilities
DESCRIPTION:Hidden disabilities are disabilities that are not immediately visible by looking at a person. Though unseen\, these disabilities affect daily life and can lead to discrimination. People with hidden disabilities often encounter barriers in employment\, education\, and social settings due to a lack of understanding. In this workshop\, we will explore the impact of hidden disabilities\, debunk common myths\, and identify ways to be an active ally. \n\n\n\nThis event is being offered online at the following times: \n\n\n\n\nThursday\, February 5\, 2026\, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – (Click here to register)\n\n\n\nTuesday\, February 17\, 2026\, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM – (Click here to register)\n\n\n\n\nParticipation in this event is available through an internet connection. Disability Network Southwest Michigan believes all people deserve full access and inclusion in our programs and services and will make every effort to secure necessary accommodations for participants in our events. Please register as soon as possible if you will require an accommodation to participate. \n\n\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar\, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.
URL:https://www.dnswm.org/event/webinar-understanding-hidden-disabilities/
CATEGORIES:Educational
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T130000
DTSTAMP:20260501T001517
CREATED:20250915T180344Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T204606Z
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SUMMARY:Webinar: Supporting Families of Children with Invisible Disabilities (Guest Presentation by Dr. Tamiko L. Garrett)
DESCRIPTION:This is a Special Guest presentation by Dr. Tamiko L. Garrett. \n\n\n\nMany disabilities are not immediately visible — yet they deeply impact a child’s daily life\, learning\, and relationships. This presentation will explore the unique challenges caregivers face when seeking support and services for children with invisible disabilities such as ADHD\, autism\, mental health conditions\, and chronic illnesses. Participants will learn practical strategies to build stronger partnerships between caregivers and providers\, improve communication\, and create more inclusive and understanding environments in schools and service settings. \n\n\n\nThis event is taking place at the following time: \n\n\n\n\nThursday\, February 12\, 2026\, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM — Click here to register\n\n\n\n\nParticipation in this event is available through an internet connection. Disability Network Southwest Michigan believes all people deserve full access and inclusion in our programs and services and will make every effort to secure necessary accommodations for participants in our events. Please register as soon as possible if you will require an accommodation to participate. \n\n\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar\, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n About Dr. Tamiko L. Garrett: \n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Tamiko L. Garrett is the creator and Executive Director of Parents for Transition (PFT) a non-profit organization in Kalamazoo\, MI. Parents for Transition provides caregivers and youth impacted by invisible disabilities\, educational resources\, support\, and self-care opportunities.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShe is also a parent of a young adult with an invisible disability. Dr. Garrett has 20 years of experience in the field of Education (K-12 and Higher Education). She was inspired to create the PFT due to her own experience navigating a child with an invisible disability through the K-12 system to higher education. \n\n\n\nDr. Garrett completed her doctorate degree from Eastern Michigan University in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Administration in August 2019. Her research interests are parents raising children with disabilities\, particularly those with invisible disabilities\, and how cultural differences may affect student learning. Dr. Garrett is also a part-time instructor at Western Michigan University in their Teaching\, Learning\, and Educational Studies Department. She teaches methods courses to students majoring in Elementary Education.
URL:https://www.dnswm.org/event/webinar-preparing-for-employment-brand-new/
CATEGORIES:Educational
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260217T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260217T160000
DTSTAMP:20260501T001517
CREATED:20251117T204535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T224751Z
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SUMMARY:Webinar: Understanding Hidden Disabilities
DESCRIPTION:Hidden disabilities are disabilities that are not immediately visible by looking at a person. Though unseen\, these disabilities affect daily life and can lead to discrimination. People with hidden disabilities often encounter barriers in employment\, education\, and social settings due to a lack of understanding. In this workshop\, we will explore the impact of hidden disabilities\, debunk common myths\, and identify ways to be an active ally. \n\n\n\nThis event is being offered online at the following time: \n\n\n\n\nTuesday\, February 17\, 2026\, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM – (Click here to register)\n\n\n\n\nParticipation in this event is available through an internet connection. Disability Network Southwest Michigan believes all people deserve full access and inclusion in our programs and services and will make every effort to secure necessary accommodations for participants in our events. Please register as soon as possible if you will require an accommodation to participate. \n\n\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar\, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.
URL:https://www.dnswm.org/event/webinar-understanding-hidden-disabilities-2/
CATEGORIES:Educational
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T193000
DTSTAMP:20260501T001517
CREATED:20251209T192949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T235156Z
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SUMMARY:#DWord Book Club Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Disability Network Southwest Michigan is excited to partner with Kalamazoo Public Library to launch the #DWord Book Club—a book club dedicated to promoting access\, inclusion\, disability pride\, and spreading the message that Disability is not a bad word. \n\n\n\nJoin us for an opportunity to engage in respectful\, thought-provoking discussions of books by and about people with disabilities\, uplifting lived experiences from across the Disability Community and creating space for meaningful conversation and connection. \n\n\n\nAll are welcome—whether you’re new to disability-focused literature or a longtime reader. This is a cost-free group; readers are not required to have a library card to participate. To ensure accessibility for all\, each book is available in print\, digital\, and audiobook formats through the Kalamazoo Public Library. \n\n\n\nVenue\n\n\n\nCEN/Boardroom at Kalamazoo Public Library\, located at 315 S. Rose St\, Kalamazoo\, MI 49007. Registration is not required. \n\n\n\nBook Selection\n\n\n\nFebruary’s book selection is Disability Intimacy\, by Alice Wong. \n\n\n\nAbout: The much-anticipated follow up to the groundbreaking anthology Disability Visibility: another revolutionary collection of first-person writing on the joys and challenges of the modern disability experience\, and intimacy in all its myriad forms. \n\n\n\nWhat is intimacy? More than sex\, more than romantic love\, the pieces in this stunning and illuminating new anthology offer broader and more inclusive definitions of what it can mean to be intimate with another person. Explorations of caregiving\, community\, access\, and friendship offer us alternative ways of thinking about the connections we form with others—a vital reimagining in an era when forced physical distance is at times a necessary norm.  \n\n\n\nBut don’t worry: there’s still sex to consider—and the numerous ways sexual liberation intersects with disability justice. Plunge between these pages and you’ll also find disabled sexual discovery\, disabled love stories\, and disabled joy. These twenty-five stunning original pieces—plus other modern classics on the subject\, all carefully curated by acclaimed activist Alice Wong—include essays\, photo essays\, poetry\, drama\, and erotica: a full spectrum of the dreams\, fantasies\, and deeply personal realities of a wide range of beautiful bodies and minds. Disability Intimacy will free your thinking\, invigorate your spirit\, and delight your desires. \n\n\n\nFollow this link for a Plain Language version of Disability Intimacy. \n\n\n\nAccommodations\n\n\n\nAccommodations can be provided upon request to (269) 553-7944 or follow this link to email Jade W. at Kalamazoo Public Library.
URL:https://www.dnswm.org/event/dword-book-club-meeting/
CATEGORIES:Book Club,Educational,Social
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T120000
DTSTAMP:20260501T001517
CREATED:20240110T011038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T185141Z
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SUMMARY:Webinar: Disability & the Whole Person
DESCRIPTION:This workshop explores how different parts of a person’s identity shape their life experiences. Presenters will highlight the unique barriers people with disabilities may face\, from everyday interactions to large-scale problems. Participants will leave the workshop with practical tips for how we can all help build a community that is welcoming and supportive for everyone. \n\n\n\nThis webinar is being offered at the following times: \n\n\n\n\nWednesday\, February 25\, 2026\, at 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM — (Click here to register)\n\n\n\n\nParticipation in this event is available through an internet connection. Disability Network Southwest Michigan believes all people deserve full access and inclusion in our programs and services and will make every effort to secure necessary accommodations for participants in our events. Please register as soon as possible if you will require an accommodation to participate. \n\n\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar\, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.
URL:https://www.dnswm.org/event/webinar-disability-intersectionality-3/
CATEGORIES:Educational
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