 1705 South Saginaw Road
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 835-4041 (800) 782-4160
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Piano Palooza VII is February 2, 2013!
The Seventh Annual Piano Palooza is Saturday, February 2nd, 2013. It will take place from 6-10pm at the Midland Country Club.
Tickets are on sale now! Seating is limited and spots are filling up fast! Call 989-835-4041 or contact Matthew Ivan today to reserve your seat! You can also click here to donate and/or purchase tickets online.
Join us for an evening of dining, dancing, and dueling pianos! It's one of the great fundraisers of the year!
Corporate and Individual Sponsorships are available. If you would like to sponsor, contact Matthew Ivan.
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Could You Survive a Month of Living in Poverty?
 The Midland County Continuum of Care invites you to learn about life in poverty through this FREE Poverty Simulation Workshop.
During the simulation, participants experience the reality of low-income living, from single parents trying to care for their children to senior citizens trying to maintain their self-sufficiency on Social Security.
When: February 28, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Registration at 12:15 p.m.)
Where: First Baptist Church, 915 East Sugnet Rd., Midland
Cost: The event is free. But, as February is Canned Food Month, participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to an area agency that serves people living in poverty.
Why Participate?
- Explore first-hand some of the barriers to prosperity in our community.
- Experience the pressures that push families into making difficult decisions.
- Meet and interact with other community leaders working to address real community needs.
Registration is required by Friday, February 15. Individuals must participate in the whole event. Space is limited! Call (989) 835-4041 to register.
 The Midland County Continuum of Care is a collaborative made up of representatives from local agencies, including Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, with the mission of providing housing-related services to those who are homeless or living in substandard housing. The Continuum of Care promotes safe, supportive shelter and affordable housing for all.
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Thousands Offered for Disability Innovations
With $25,000 in prize money on the line, inventors are being challenged to tackle real-world barriers facing people with disabilities.
United Cerebral Palsy is offering up cash to anyone who can turn one of three ideas they've pinpointed into reality. The reward is being offered for creating a solar-powered wheelchair, a fold-up motorized wheelchair that can fit inside a typical car or a documentary focusing on the successes of people living with cerebral palsy in the 21st century.
The ideas were picked from nearly 500 that were submitted last year to the organization's "Change My World In 1 Minute" contest. The challenge called for ideas that would "improve mobility, independence, accessibility, communication or social connections" for those with cerebral palsy.
"We're challenging the world to bring these three innovative ideas to life and to help people living with disabilities become more independent, increase accessibility and raise awareness," said Stephen Bennett, president and CEO of UCP. "We invite everyone, including universities, engineers, companies, inventors, hackers and makers to bring their best thinking to the contest. This is a chance to use the best of humanity's gifts to change the lives of others."
Entries to the contest are due March 31 and the winners - who will share in the $25,000 prize money - are expected to be announced ahead of World Cerebral Palsy Day on Sept. 2.
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Beauty Queen With Autism Makes Miss America History
She didn't walk away with the crown, but Alexis Wineman knows she topped the American public's list for Miss America.
 Alexis Wineman, 18, the first Miss America contestant with autism, won an online vote to be selected as "America's Choice." (Miss America Organization)
Wineman, an 18-year-old from Cut Bank, Mont., made history this weekend as the first person with autism to compete in the 92-year-old beauty pageant. Though she did not become Miss America, Wineman was chosen as "America's Choice" after beating out the other 52 contestants in an online vote that took place in the weeks leading up to the event.
Nearly 200,000 votes were cast, and the win -- announced during the live telecast of the pageant Saturday night on ABC - secured the reigning Miss Montana one of 16 spots in the semifinals.
"I didn't know until they announced it to everyone," Wineman said, calling the popular vote win "unreal."
"I felt like I was America's Miss America," Wineman said during her long drive back from the pageant in Las Vegas to her home in Cut Bank.
Not only did Wineman impress the public, but she made her mark in Las Vegas among a host of impressive ladies, according to Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization.
"It just seemed that anyone Alexis came into contact with just fell in love with her," he said. "She was the talk of Las Vegas and she really is a special young lady."
The chance to be on television was a definite highlight, Wineman said, as was the opportunity to make so many new friends during the competition. But what brought the most joy to Wineman while competing for the Miss America crown was the chance to share her story, and through that, to open people's eyes to what is possible.
"I became an advocate for the special needs community," said Wineman who was diagnosed with autism at age 11 and is using her position as Miss Montana to increase awareness of the developmental disorder. "I showed that you can become something great if you work hard to get there."
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Over Snow and Ice: Winter Mobility for Your Wheelchair
 Wheelblades are small, high-end skis, and one click attaches them to the front wheels of wheelchairs or strollers, clearly improving mobility in winter and during snowy and icy conditions.
No matter how young or old, active or passive you are: Wheelblades give us more freedom and a whole new feeling in life.
 The wide Wheelblade contact surface distributes the wheelchair driver's pressure evenly onto the ground and prevents the small front wheels from sinking into the snow. The blades run over the ground with very little pressure and have no problem smoothing out rough spots.
In order for the ski to move in the desired direction at all times, the binding was moved to the front part of the ski. No matter where you want to go - the ski knows its way.  Two tracking channels on the Wheelblade underside compress the snow, ensuring stability; this is to say that you move along as if on rails. In addition to this the Wheelblades are very handy due to their low weight: A few seconds are enough to attach them to all commonly used wheels.
The adjustable clamp lock covers all wheel widths from 1.8 to 6 cm. As you can see, Wheelblades work real easy - simplicity combined with many advantages.
The attachments allow wheelchair users maximum mobility in all kinds of weather and at any time of the year. Click here for more information on this exciting new assistive technology! |
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Apps! Apps! Apps!
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is joining a nation-wide LiveStream video seminar, presented by BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals.
Apps! Apps! Apps! is a FREE assistive technology training program for anyone interested in becoming knowledgeable about accessibility features on iPad (and related devices), and those seeking to gain skills on how to find appropriate apps for people with disabilities or special needs.
When: February 22, 2013
8:30 am - Breakfast provided by DNMM
9:00 am - Training Program
Noon - Lunch provided by DNMM
3:00 pm - Conclusion
Where: Disability Network Conference Room
1705 S. Saginaw Rd., Midland
For more information, contact Andrea Sneller at 989-835-4041. |
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Board of Directors
Officers:
Jerry Pritchett
President
Teresa Oliver
Vice President
Harry Leaver Secretary
Members at Large:
Tim Troy
June Price
Peter Jensen
Frank Champagne
Greg Purtell
Executive Director:
David Emmel
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"There are very few people, even with the most severe disabilities, who cannot take control of their own lives. And there is no life without taking risks."
-Ed Roberts
Founder of the Independent Living Movement
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Disability Network of
Mid-Michigan celebrates 22 years of promoting & encouraging independence.
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Events Calendar
January 26th Gratiot County Child Advocacy Family Expo 10:00 - 2:00 Youth for Christ Student Center 2550 W. Cheesman Rd. Alma February 2nd Piano Palooza An evening of dining, dancing, and dueling pianos! 6:00 - 10:00pm Midland Country Club Tickets are $85 per person Seating is limited! Call 989-835-4041 to reserve your seat today!
February 7th
Autism Safety Training6:30-9:00pm Delta College For more information or to register, email Dawn Jurik or call 989-686-9176
February 8th The Affordable Care Act & Its Effect on Long-Term Care 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Butman-Fish Library 1716 Hancock Saginaw
February 21st
Discussion of Insurance Legislation on Autism
Lt. Governor Brian Calley
"Apps! Apps! Apps!" 8:30am - 3:00pm Free Assistive Technology training program. Learn about apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android. DNMM Conference Room Midland February 28th Living in Poverty Simulation 12:30 - 4:30pm First Baptist Church 915 E. Sugnet Midland
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