Independent Facilitator Training

 

Disability Network Mid-Michigan will hold Independent Facilitator training sessions on June 11th and June 18th, from 9:00am - 4:30pm at the Midland office, located at 1705 S. Saginaw Rd.  

Training sessions are open to everyone. However, individuals must attend both session dates to become facilitators.  The sessions are free and lunch will be provided.

These training sessions prepare interested community members to serve as neutral third parties who guide person-centered planning (PCP) meetings for people with disabilities.  PCP meetings give people with disabilities more independence by involving them in their life's decision-making processes.

Independent Facilitators help people develop life plans by asking questions, helping explore options, encouraging the group and encouraging new ideas. An Independent Facilitator makes sure the person with a disability remains the focus of the meeting and remains involved in their life decisions.

Once training is complete, individuals who successfully meet the training requirements are placed on a registry of trained Independent Facilitators and have the opportunity to facilitate meetings in Arenac, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Midland and Tuscola counties.  The person with a disability chooses Independent Facilitators, based on the right fit for him or her.  Facilitators receive $75-$125, per session facilitated, depending on the county in which they facilitate.  

To sign up for the sessions, or for more information, contact Kelly PeLong, Independent Living Program Leader, at (989) 835-4041, or E-Mail no later than June 8, 2011.

Welcome Aboard Karyn and Karen! 

Formerly the Discover Program coordinator at Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, Karyn Pilon has returned as an Information/Referral and Outreach Specialist.  Karyn has an extensive and varied background.  She's been a school teacher, a college instructor, a real estate agent, an academic advisor and she's worked in sales in both educational and business sectors.   In her spare time, Karyn enjoys bird watching, hiking, sketching, journaling, writing, photography, gardening, biking, entertaining, & reading.

Karen King has joined our staff as a Representative Payee. Karen has a customer service background in the banking, food service and mobile home industries, as well as being certified as a medical/dental administrative assistant. Karen is a people person who loves helping others. She's quite active in her church; teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir.  She also delights in spending time with her grandchild, as often as possible.

We are pleased to have Karyn and Karen working with us! Both are welcome additions to the Disability Network staff and both will help advance our mission of promoting inclusion for all people with disabilities.

Volunteers Needed!

Need something to do this summer? Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is looking for volunteers. You can help with our youth program. You can be a camp counselor. You can be a companion for  people with disabilities.    

Do you need general office experience? Are you a wiz with a computer? Do you love making phone calls? We need you!   

Call Alicia Elliott, our Volunteer Coordinator at 989-835-4041 or search our volunteer listings at:  www.volunteermatch.com.  Make an Impact today!

Feds To Tackle Low Disability Employment

Equal Rights Center Launches Multi-Faceted Disability Campaign 

The Equal Rights Center (ERC), a national non-profit civil rights organization, and the D.C. Office of Human Rights, an agency of the District of Columbia government that seeks to eradicate discrimination, have launched a new multi-faceted campaign: "what is WRONG with these pictures?" 

"One in five people in the United States have a disability, yet there is still a great lack of awareness when it comes to what exactly is accessible and what is not," explained Leah Maddox, ERC Communications and Outreach Associate.  "This campaign is a fun and stimulating forum through which people with and without disabilities can learn more about accessibility."

The PSA campaign uses the website, www.disabilitygame.org, to create an interactive forum for education.  The focus of the site is a game in which users are asked to identify physical barriers in real life situations.  The photographs present a range of barriers; both easily recognized ones - such as a step in front of a doorway - and those many may not be so familiar - such as a round doorknob.

The tools presented on the site are part of a larger self-advocacy ERC initiative.  Robyn Powell, ERC Disability Rights Manager, noted: "It's important that people with disabilities know how to be their own best advocate.  These pictures, and the accessibility information that goes with them, are just the start of that conversation."

ERC member and campaign contributor Gregory L. Hubert, explained, "Advocacy... is part of the fabric of our family life. Often progress is frustratingly slow, but we know we are making a difference. We have been blessed by the advocacy efforts of those who have gone before us. We honor their efforts by continuing our efforts."

The website also features the stories of people with disabilities as they encounter accessibility barriers in their daily lives.  Jill A. Nerby, ERC member and campaign contributor, said, "By sharing my experiences and successes in my life, I hope to inspire every person with low vision and legal blindness to know that there is hope for the future, ways to overcome challenges, and that by working together, we can make a difference in the lives of many."

Also featured on the site are quick links to the ERC's five disability advocacy and self-advocacy toolkits, ways in which anyone can become involved in disability rights, and access to help for those who feel they have experienced discrimination.  The campaign includes a two-month roll out on social media sites, and a three month print advertisement campaign.

To view the campaign, visit www.disabilitygame.org.