Disability Network May 2010 Newsletter

Our Mission: To Promote and Encourage Independence

for All People with Disabilities.

1705 S. Saginaw Road

Midland, Mi 48640

989-835-4041 800-782-4160
www.dnmm.org

May 2010

Arts for All Makes a Splash

Disability Network and Creative 360 held an exciting art event on May 8th at Creative 360 stage, studios, and gallery on Bayliss Street in Midland. The event, called Arts for All, was made possible by a grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation. Artist Dwayne Szot facilitated the unique collaborative art event.

Arts for All was open to people of all ages and abilities. Community members who participated created "stamps" of sorts that are known as "pogos" because of their resemblance to pogo sticks. When a pogo was dipped in paint, participants could go around the room and "make their mark" on a giant mural that took up much of the Creative 360 gallery floor space.

Szot makes other art tools, too. Some of the art tools can be attached to wheelchairs and walkers. These tools allow people with limited mobility to engage in art activities. Some participants were able to draw with chalk outside using a wheeled chalk apparatus. Other people created an image that could be pushed by a wheelchair and rolled across the mural in a repeating pattern. Many people painted free T-shirts that they took home when they left. Approximately 100 people participated in the event through the day.

A canvas mural will be exhibited at Creative 360 until May 31st. After that exhibit ends the mural will have a permanent home at Disability Network. Artwork and photos from the event are displayed throughout Disability Network and we encourage you to come visit us soon to see what we were up to at Arts for All in May.

Habitat for Humanity and Disability Network Celebrate New Locations with Ribbon Cutting and Open House

The rainy weather and occasional rumble of thunder didn't keep the community away from celebrating the collaboration between two area non-profits. Midland County Habitat for Humanity and Disability Network of Mid-Michigan welcomed their supporters, volunteers, and board members to a ribbon cutting and open house on May 13th.

Late last year, Habitat for Humanity and Disability Network entered into a collaboration to relocate to the former Hawkins Building on South Saginaw Road. Don Hawkins operated his printing company for more than 30 years in this location. Don and his wife, JoAnn, attended the open house and were both pleased that two non-profits could enjoy the building.

"Both organizations have increased their capacity for serving the community through this partnership," said Jerry Pritchett, Board President of Disability Network. "It is exciting to witness the ideas that are being shared between organizations for meeting the needs of our community members."

The Midland Area Chamber of Commerce began the celebration with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by both organizations. A flag that was flown over the White House during the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 was going to be raised during a ceremonial flag-raising. The rainy weather prevented that from occurring.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony Linda Holder-Beneker, Board President of Habitat for Humanity, stated, "It's a perfect partnership. Our respective missions match nicely and we feel we can help more people in the community through this collaboration.

From left to right: Jerry Pritchett, Board President, Disability Network; JoAnn Hawkins, wife of the original owner of the building; Don Hawkins, who ran a printing company in the building; and Linda Holder-Beneker, Board President, Habitat for Humanity

Summer Safety Includes Bicycle Safety

So... you think you look silly in a helmet? Think again, and if you still feel that way consider how important it is to avoid looking silly versus how important it is for your brain to function well enough for you to be able to make that kind of decision!

Most - 85% to 88% - critical head and brain injuries can be prevented through the use of a bicycle helmet. Helmet use prevents one injury ever four minutes.

Universal bicycle helmet use by children ages 4 through 15 can prevent up to 45,000 head injuries, and between 18,000 and 55,000 scalp and face injuries annually.

Here are some effects of brain injuries: excessive sleepiness, inattention, difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, faulty judgment, depression, irritability, emotional outbursts, disturbed sleep, diminished libido, difficulty switching between two tasks, and slowed thinking.

Helmets are really important. They can protect our heads and help to prevent injuries that may result in serious damage to our brains. They provide protection to our skulls during a head impact by helping to slow the deceleration of the head upon impact. The helmet absorbs kinetic energy through its internal layer of crushable foam.

Wear a helmet every time you get on your bicycle or motorcycle. It might just save your life.

Summer STAGES is Ready to Launch

STAGES 2009 students climb to new heights

The sights and sounds of summer at Disability Network will include the front lobby filling with students excitedly talking with friends from different schools and different counties, sharing their lives with friends they are just getting to know, and waiting for other friends to arrive so the day's activity can begin. Nearly 50 students are expected to participate in the summer youth transition program, called "Summer STAGES", again this summer. The programming is designed to be fun for the students but also continue to build Independent Living and pre-employment skills. "Summer STAGES" combines employment-focused, recreational, and health-related activities.

The employment portion of STAGES includes a work team of up to 15 students who form a cleaning crew for Camp Fish Tales, in Pinconning. Students also participate in various industry tours where they can see what is involved in a variety of jobs that may interest them. Participants also spend some time working on developing skills that will help them get and keep a job when they are ready to work.

Students get to go on picnics, bike rides, and boat rides. They get to go swimming, take a trip to the planetarium, and enjoy other enjoyable activities and participate in fun events. But while the students are having summer fun, they also are learning new skills and practicing skills that they may already have.

Students are learning and practicing time management skills by managing their personal calendars and arriving at events on time. They are learning that the "right" social behavior varies depending on the setting; something that is totally acceptable at one location or event may be off limits in a different setting. For example, it is okay for students to play around with each other at a park but not during a job tour.

Students are learning and practicing what sorts of clothing to wear in different situations. Clothes that are acceptable to peers may turn off a potential employer - or a business

STAGES students and Lou E. Loon

person whom the students meet during a tour. Learning how to discriminate in these ways is critical to finding and keeping a job.

Students also learn about how to take care of their health. Students with health-related disabilities have to plan ahead of time and/or bring their medications with them. They have to focus on staying well hydrated during summer activities. They need to eat enough so that they don't run out of energy before the day's activities are done. And, finally, they review swimming safety, biking safety, and other safety concepts that apply to them each day.

It is not too late to be involved in the Summer STAGES program. Call Disability Network at 989-835-4041 or e-mail Gisel@dnmm.org for more information.

The program begins on June 14 and continues through August 25. We look forward to seeing you.

Volunteer of the Month: Wensu Tan

Wensu Tan is the volunteer of the month for May. She began volunteering in January and
wensu tan 3

has put in more than 250 hours of service since then.

Wensu has been a huge asset to the organization and has worked for the staff doing database administration, filing, assisting with special events, and general administrative work.

A recent graduate of Northwood University, Wensu will be leaving Midland at the end of May to attend graduate school at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is pursuing a Master of Finance degree. We wish her the best of luck and will miss her laugh and her talents greatly.

"ADA in Your Community" Poll
Ends May 31st

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will have been in effect for 20 years on July 26th, 2010, but some communities have complied with the ADA better than others. Please help effect changes that may be needed in your community by responding to the poll. The ADA Survey is being conducted by the Great Lakes ADA Center, in conjunction with all six states in their region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Click this link http://www.adareportcard.org/ or paste it into your browser to complete the survey anonymously.

To request the ADA Survey in an alternative format, or for additional information, contact the Michigan ADA Steering Committee coordinator at dcooper@mpas.org Your participation will be appreciated.

Letter from the Executive Director

Last week I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with Lynnae Ruttledge, the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, discussing the future of federal programs that support people with disabilities. Lynnae was recently appointed to this position by President Obama to serve in this important role. She was the first person of this stature I had ever met so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Wow, was I impressed!

I don't admire people that work in bureaucratic positions because of the challenges they face in making "real" change rapidly. Perhaps, that is why I have not pursued that type of position. But, nevertheless, Lynnae convinced me that she will be able to influence the future of Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living services because she is committed to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. I walked away with a sense of relief knowing that she is placing her personal values ahead of political agenda's.

When challenged on key points she handled herself with grace and candor. She was open, honest and had a great sense of humor. Her primary mission is to ensure that the Rehabilitation Services Administration delivers quality services so that we can do our jobs effectively, not hinder the services we offer. I have faith that the future of Independent Living services will improve under her leadership.

In this Issue:

Arts for All Makes a Splash

Habitat for Humanity and Disability Network Celebrate New Locations

Summer STAGES is Ready to Launch

Volunteer of the Month:

Wensu Tan

ADA Report Card

Letter from the Executive Director

email us

info@dnmm.org

Board of Directors

Officers:
Jerry Pritchett, President