Disability Network Southwest Michigan

Autistic Adult Peer Support - Tuesday
2024-01-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
This group provides an opportunity for Autistic adults to enjoy authentic social interactions and build genuine friendships in a safe and non-judgmental space. All Autistic adults are welcome to attend, including self-diagnosed Autistics and those who were previously diagnosed with Asperger’s or PDD.

Meetings are held online using Zoom. Follow this link for further details on the Autistic Adult Peer Support Group and to complete registration.

For more information email Max or call them at 269-345-1516 x 126.

PtW: Section 504 - What Parents Need to Know
2024-05-13 18:30 - 20:00
This presentation is intended for families/guardians.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability – this includes students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). For students with a disability who are not eligible for an IEP, a 504 plan provides equal access to the general education curriculum. This training will help you learn the difference between a 504 Plan and IEP, how to get a 504 Plan for your child, what supports and services are available and what rights you and your child have.

This event is presented by Stephanie Nicholls of Michigan Alliance for Families on:

May 13, 2024 at 6:30 to 8:00 PM — Click here to register

Section 504 – What Parents Need to Know is part of our Paving the Way to Self Determination training series. Be sure to check out the other Paving the Way events HERE!

Autistic Adult Peer Support - Thursday
2024-01-11 18:00 - 19:00

PtW: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies
2024-06-06 12:00 - 13:30
This presentation is intended for families/guardians.

When a child with a disability demonstrates behavior that impedes their learning or the learning of others, appropriate behavioral supports may be needed to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Does your child have challenging behaviors at school? Come learn about services provided through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to teach and support positive behaviors at school.

Join us to learn:• What a Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) is and how to request one• How an FBA leads to the development of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)• How to make sure the BIP utilizes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)• What to do if the plan isn’t working

Presented by Stephanie Nicholls of Michigan Alliance for Families on:

June 6, 2024 at 12:00 to 1:30 PM — Click here to register

Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies is part of our Paving the Way to Self Determination training series. Be sure to check out the other Paving the Way events HERE!

Webinar: Vote: Know Your Rights
2024-06-18 13:30 - 15:30
We believe everyone’s voice should be heard and that everyone’s vote counts! Whether you are a first-time voter or an experienced voter, you may have questions about the upcoming election and your voting options. If you are a person with a disability, you may also have concerns about casting an accessible, private vote. In this workshop, we will discuss:

Who can vote

How to find out if you are registered to vote

How and when to register to vote

Voting accessibility

How to vote before Election Day

How to vote on Election Day

This webinar is being offered at the following time:

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 1:30 to 3:30 PM — (Click here to register)

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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.

Webinar: Disability Pride
2024-07-16 13:30 - 15:30
Society sends messages to people with disabilities that disability is “bad” – something we should fix, change, or hide. We don’t agree! In this workshop, we will explore and celebrate our disabilities as an important part of who we are. Join us to celebrate disability!

This webinar is being offered at the following times:

Tuesday July 16, 2024 at 1:30 to 3:30 PM — (Click here to register)
Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — (Click here to register)

Participation 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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.

Webinar: Disability Allyship
2024-07-18 10:00 - 11:30
Allies are essential to any social justice movement, including the Disability Rights Movement. How can you become a Disability Ally? The Disability community has moved beyond waiting for support, people speaking for us, and people telling us what our rights are. Today, the Disability community wants our Allies to be fighting alongside us, inviting us to tables where we’re never invited, and taking action against oppression when they see it. In this workshop, we will learn what it takes to be an Ally for the Disability community and how to become a better Ally.

This webinar will be offered at the following times:

Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 10:00 to 11:30 AM — (Click here to register)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 1:30 to 3:00 PM — (Click here to register)

Participation 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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.

Webinar: Disability Allyship
2024-07-24 13:30 - 15:00
Allies are essential to any social justice movement, including the Disability Rights Movement. How can you become a Disability Ally? The Disability community has moved beyond waiting for support, people speaking for us, and people telling us what our rights are. Today, the Disability community wants our Allies to be fighting alongside us, inviting us to tables where we’re never invited, and taking action against oppression when they see it. In this workshop, we will learn what it takes to be an Ally for the Disability community and how to become a better Ally.

This webinar will be offered at the following time:

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 1:30 to 3:00 PM — (Click here to register)

Participation 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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.

Join Us! ADA Event: Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration
2024-07-29 11:30 - 13:30
This year marks 34 years since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. The ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.

This event will offer a BBQ lunch, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Zot Artz will facilitate inclusive art projects using adaptive tools for people with disabilities of all ages. A short program with comments from Disability Network President & CEO, Yvonne Fleener, will take place.

Feel free to bring guests as all are welcome. We look forward to spending time with you!

Register Here

Webinar: Disability Language & Etiquette
2024-08-15 10:00 - 11:30
The language we use is powerful and can reveal hidden assumptions we might not realize we have. Our words can be hurtful even when well-intended. This workshop challenges assumptions about what it means to have a disability. Participants will be able to explore new ideas and ask questions in a safe environment.

This event is being offered online at the following times:

Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 10:00 to 11:30 AM — (Click here to register)

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 1:30 to 3:00 PM — (Click here to register)

Participation 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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.

PtW: The Power of Disability Language
2024-08-20 12:00 - 13:30
This presentation is intended for families/guardians.

Language is more than just a form of communication. It shapes the way we think and shows how we view others. The language we use can enforce stereotypes or create inclusion and equality. In this presentation, we will talk about how you can use powerful disability language to model disability as human diversity and not something that is wrong, broken, or needs to be changed.

This event is presented by Miranda Grunwell of Disability Network Southwest Michigan on:

August 20, 2024 at 12:00 to 1:30 PM — Click here to register

The Power of Disability Language is part of our Paving the Way to Self Determination training series. Be sure to check out the other Paving the Way events HERE!

Webinar: Ableism 101
2024-09-10 13:30 - 16:30
Ableism 101: Everything you know about disability is (probably) wrong!

In its simplest form, ableism is the belief system that tells us it is better to be non-disabled than it is to be disabled. Ableism also examines disability discrimination on a systemic level by looking at the ways our society designs physically and socially segregated systems.

In this Ableism 101 workshop, we will introduce the basic concepts of ableism and explore how the language we use around disability can either support equality or perpetuate stigma. Participants will be challenged to identify their own unconscious bias around disability. Come learn how to support the disability rights movement in Southwest Michigan.

This webinar will be offered at the following times:

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 1:30 to 4:30 PM — (Click here to register)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM — (Click here to register)

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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please follow this link to email Miranda or call her at 269-345-1516 x120.

PtW: Preparing Your Child for Employment (Long Before Employment!)
2024-09-12 09:30 - 11:00
This presentation is intended for families/guardians.

Many parents worry about the employment future of their child with a disability. This training, led by staff who spent years removing barriers to employment for young adults, will focus on important independent living and pre-employment skills that you can help your child start building in their early years in preparation for a successful and fulfilling work life in the future!

This event is presented by Mary Fortney of Disability Network Southwest Michigan on:

September 12, 2024 at 9:30 to 11:00 AM — Click here to register

Preparing Your Child for Employment (Long Before Employment!) is part of our Paving the Way to Self Determination training series. Be sure to check out the other Paving the Way events HERE!
