Welcome to Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM), your trusted partner in providing exceptional services across Southwest Michigan. We are dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential. Our comprehensive range of services is designed to enhance the quality of life, foster independence, and promote inclusion. By joining us in celebrating diversity, you can help advocate for disability rights with our ongoing campaign using the hashtags #dword and #dwordpride. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

EQUITY. INCLUSION. BELONGING. ACCESSIBILITY.

Starts Here.

Welcome to Disability network southwest michigan

Serving Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph & Van Buren Counties

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Who We Are

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Business Disability Inclusion Assessment

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Upcoming Events/Training

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How You Help

Breaking Barriers Breakfast

A fundraising event to cultivate inclusion

October 16, 2025

Join us for the 3rd Annual Breaking Barriers Breakfast fundraiser in the Kalamazoo area. This year’s event is taking place on October 16, 2025, at 2025 Next Level Sports Center in Schoolcraft.

The Breaking Barriers Breakfast is a community fundraising event that highlights stories of resilience and inclusion, while raising critical support for programs that advance justice, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities in Southwest Michigan. The event is free, yet we hope after hearing from speakers that guests will be compelled to make a financial gift to support this vital work.

Event Details
•  8:00-8:30 AM: Check-in & Breakfast (coffee, juice, and breakfast buffet) 
•  8:30-9:00 AM: Program & Stories of Impact

More Information & Registration
A table with breakfast items.
A projector screen showing a statistic of 1 in 4 people have a disability. It reads we are who we serve, 80%.
A Hispanic woman wearing a suit jacket and glasses.
A diverse group of people gathered in a large room, seated at breakfast tables.
BBB Battle Creek 25-46
A diverse group of people gathered in a large room, seated at breakfast tables.
Four Black people seated at a breakfast table, smiling for the camera.
Diverse community members seated in a large room, holding a small metal keychain in the air with their hands.
A white woman and a white man seated at a table with microphones with a Disability Network table runner.
A table of nametags.
An older woman with white hair writes on a pledge card.
Paving the Way to Self Determination Training Series
Virtual Library Now Live!
Power point slide with Disability Network logo; text: Social Security Disability Benefits.
Power point slide with Disability Network logo; text: Understanding Neurodiversity.
Power point slide with Disability Network logo; text: The Power of Disability Language.
Power point slide with Michigan Developmental Disabilities Logo logo; text: Supported Decision Making.
Power point slide with Disability Network logo; text: Instilling Disability Pride in Your Child.
Preparing Your Child for Employment (LONG Before Employment).

In 2022, Disability Network launched a three-year initiative entitled Paving the Way to Self-Determination to help family members of children with disabilities see a self-determined future for their children. The project consisted of free, live webinars on a multitude of topics; these included Social Security Benefits, Supported Decision Making, Building Resilience, IEPs/504s, Instilling Disability Pride, Employment, and more. 

While the live webinars have come to a close, these training opportunities will remain available and free in an “on-demand” format via our website and YouTube Channel.  

More Information

Proud to Have the Support of Our Corporate Sponsors

Advia_DIGITAL-logo-1
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Logo for Precision Garage Door Service, a Neighborly Company.
Kalsec logo.
Purple and light green Marshall Community Credit Union (MCCU) logo.
WMed Logo. Text: Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.
Learn About Our Corporate Sponsor Program
OUR VISION

A fully accessible community where disability is valued as human diversity and everyone belongs.

OUR MISSION

We are people with disabilities advancing justice, access, and inclusion for the Disability Community. 

WE BELIEVE...
  • Disability is best understood by people who experience it.
  • Disability is a natural part of the human condition.
  • A disability doesn’t exist until someone encounters a barrier.
  • Partnering with others is the best way to create change.
  • The language we use to describe disability is powerful.
TESTIMONIALS
Karley helped her tremendously. She's wonderful and she went above and beyond to help me. She's also sensitive to the effects of a person with Brain Injury. She's a good person.
I really appreciate the help Lisa provided. It really made my Mom and me very happy.
I believe that I & R is the Heart and Soul of Independent Living and the information provided was what was needed.
Tim provided exactly the information that I wanted and Tim was excellent.
I told Mary what I wanted, she told me a lot of good information, and I got the job I wanted. Mary is very knowledgeable and helpful.
It was like the I & R Team waved their magic wand.
The information I received from Lisa really worked out and it was like a mini-miracle in the lives of my family.
I told Mary what I wanted, she told me a lot of good information, and I got the job I wanted. Mary is very knowledgeable and helpful.
Jackie was wonderful and she helped me so much. She even called me several different times after my surgery just to see how I was doing and I really appreciate that and everything else she and DNSWM did for me.
Max is Great! And really helped me to fit in the group.
Sarah was more than helpful. She was so knowledgeable and really gave me great information.
I thank Laurie every day for the superb work she did and the ramp has made a world of difference in my life.
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Get Involved

We have many ways you can make a difference alongside us.

For more information, contact Lisa Fuller, Information & Referral Program Manager.

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Purchase Ramp Supplies
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Support Inclusion and Belonging
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Become a Corporate Partner
Connection

Join us for one of our peer support groups and connect with others.
Taking time for conversation and laughter is good for the soul!

Learn More

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    Kalamazoo Office

    517 E. Crosstown Parkway
    Kalamazoo, MI 49001
    269-345-1516

    battle creek office

    200 W. Van Buren Street
    Battle Creek, MI 49017
    269-345-1516

    st. joseph office

    2900 Lakeview Avenue
    St. Joseph, MI 49085
    269-985-0111

    QUICK LINKS
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    Disability Network Southwest Michigan is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.