Spirit Club - Virtual Exercise
2022-06-06 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
SPIRIT CLUB is a free 1 hour exercise program. Attend as many or as few sessions as you like.

Mondays at 9:30-10:30 AM

We have contracted with SPIRIT Club to offer this exercise program. SPIRIT Club exercise classes are specifically designed to present a range of options to suit everyone.
Follow this link for more information, and to register for Spirit Club.

Autistic Adult Peer Support - Tuesday
2023-01-10 10:00 - 11:30
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.

Phenomenal Women Support Group
2023-05-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Disability Network – Community Bldg Kalamazoo, 517 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
This women’s support group is open to women with any type of disability. Women are welcome to come share experiences of living with a disability, support other women living with a disability and discuss a variety of topics of interest in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. The group meets every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 PM. Attendance is offered both virtually and in person in the Community Building at our Kalamazoo office.
Follow this link to contact Sarah P. or call her at (269) 345-1516 x116.

Understanding Neurodiversity
2023-01-26 15:30 - 17:00
This webinar is part of the Paving the Way to Self Determination program.

For families/guardians

Neurodiversity is the diversity of human brains and minds. The neurodiversity movement is a human rights movement for people with brain differences. In this workshop, we will discuss how neurodiversity contributes to sensory, movement, and communication differences. We will examine how ableism impacts people with brain-based disabilities and how you can support your neurodivergent loved ones. (Presented by Disability Network Southwest Michigan.)

Choose from the following dates/times:

Thursday, January 26th: 3:30 – 5:00pm

Wednesday, March 8th: 12:00 – 1:30pm

Tuesday, May 16th: 6:00 – 7:30pm

To register and learn more about the Paving the Way to Self Determination program, including all of the trainings offered, visit Paving the Way to Self Determination. The registration form for all events is available at the bottom of the page.

Register:

Error: Contact form not found.

Understanding Neurodiversity
2023-03-08 12:00 - 13:30
For families / guardians
Neurodiversity is the diversity of human brains and minds. The neurodiversity movement is a human rights movement for people with brain differences. In this workshop, we will discuss how neurodiversity contributes to sensory, movement, and communication differences. We will examine how ableism impacts people with brain-based disabilities and how you can support your neurodivergent loved ones.
Presented by Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Choose from the following dates / times:
Weds. March 8th: 12:00 – 1:30 pm — (Registration is now closed.)
Tues. May 16th: 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Chronic Pain Support Group
2023-03-22 14:00 - 15:00
The Chronic Pain Support Group is open to individuals who experience life with chronic pain. This solution-focused group provides a safe space to connect, learn, and improve self-efficacy. You will have the opportunity to talk about struggles, share tips, and learn how to better manage your pain and energy. Disclaimer: This support group is not to substitute or replace any professional medical help.

This group currently meets online each week, virtually, through Zoom on Wednesdays at 2:00 – 3:00 PM. It is not necessary to attend every meeting to participate in this group. Please feel free to attend only as often as you wish.

To participate, complete the registration form below. For any questions or concerns, email Sarah Powless or call her at 269-345-1516 x 116.

Register:

Your Name: (required)

Your Email: (required in order for us to make contact with you)

Your County:

If you need an accommodation, please specify:

Brain Injury Survivors Meeting
2022-09-29 13:30 - 15:30 | Disability Network – Community Bldg Kalamazoo, 517 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
This support group is open to adults with a brain injury. This group is a chapter of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and is very active. The group meets weekly to discuss a variety of topics, host speakers, and attend outings. The group meets every Thursday from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Attendance is offered both virtually and in person in the Community Building at our Kalamazoo office.

Contact Anne Kooy for more information at (269) 345-1516 x109.

Ableism and Implicit Bias
2023-05-18 18:30 - 19:00
This webinar is part of the Paving the Way to Self Determination program.
For family/guardians
Ableism is the discrimination against people with disabilities based on the belief that “typical” abilities are superior. To address ableism, we must start by acknowledging we all have unconscious bias. These unconscious attitudes and stereotypes impact our understanding, actions, and decisions. This session will define implicit bias, help participants be more aware of their own bias, and explore strategies to challenge our unconscious beliefs. (Presented by Michigan Alliance for Families.)
Choose from the following dates/times:

Tuesday, March 7th: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Thursday, May 18th: 6:30 – 7:30pm

To learn more about the Paving the Way to Self Determination program, including all of the trainings offered, visit Paving the Way to Self Determination. The registration form for all events is available at the bottom of the page.
Register:

Error: Contact form not found.

Access Team
2022-09-28 12:30 - 13:30 | Disability Network – Community Bldg Kalamazoo, 517 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
The Access Team works on projects that improve accessibility for people with disabilities in our communities and educates businesses and community leaders about barriers to full inclusion. Learn advocacy and leadership skills while making a real difference in Kalamazoo County. No experience needed!
The Access Team meets on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Attendance is offered both virtually and in person in the Community Building at our Kalamazoo office. For more information about the Access Team, email Paul Ecklund or call him at 269-345-1516 x117.
Click here to learn more about our advocacy groups.

Autistic Adult Peer Support - Thursday
2023-01-05 16:00 - 17:30

Webinar: Ableism 101
2023-06-06 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 event is being offered online at the following time:

Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 at 1:30 to 4:30 PM — (Registration is now closed.)

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.

Register:

Registration is now closed. Please check back for future dates, Thank you!

Online Book Club
2023-06-08 12:00 - 13:30
The Disability Network Online Book Club meets every few months, giving everyone plenty of time to get and read the next book. A special thanks to our friends at Disability Network Mid-Michigan for a great collaborative with us, making these Online Book Club discussions even better!

Join us online to discuss About Us: Essays from the Disability Series of the New York Times on

Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. — (Registration is now closed.)

Synopsis: Based on the pioneering New York Times series, About Us collects the personal essays and reflections that have transformed the national conversation around disability. Boldly claiming a space in which people with disabilities can be seen and heard as they are — not as others perceive them — About Us captures the voices of a community that has for too long been stereotyped and misrepresented. Speaking not only to those with disabilities but also to their families, coworkers, and support networks, the authors in About Us offer intimate stories of how they navigate a world not built for them.

Register:

Registration is now closed. Please check back for our next Online Book Club discussion in September. Thank you!

Note: Clicking the button below to add this event to your calendar does not take the place of registration. You still need to provide your contact information above.
