 1705 South Saginaw Road Midland, MI 48640
(989) 835-4041 (800) 782-4160
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Area College Students Take Part in Career Development Day
 Business leaders from across the Great Lakes Bay Region gathered in Midland recently to provide college students with disabilities from SVSU, CMU, Delta College, and Northwood University career insight and networking opportunities.
 The Great Lakes Business Leadership Network and Disability Network of Mid-Michigan sponsored the event. Representatives from The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Corning, Chemical Bank, MidMichigan Innovation Center and Midland Recyclers gave presentations and interviewed students one-on-one in order to help the students get a better sense as to what careers they might want to pursue.
"Our goal was to increase the base of students looking for internships with businesses in the Great Lakes Bay Region," said David Emmel, Executive Director of Disability Network of Mid-Michigan. "We wanted to help prepare the students for what those internships would require and also to provide a connection point for a potential career." "I learned a lot while networking with different businesses," said Tina, a student at Delta College. "The presentations on resumes, professionalism, and employ-ability made me feel better prepared to enter the work field. It was a wonderful event."  "We were impressed with the candidates we met with," said Thomas Bloomquist of Dow Corning. "We have already started working with various departments to see about future work opportunities at Dow Corning."
Great Lakes Business Leadership Network is a consortium of local business people committed to creating more inclusive work environments for people with disabilities.
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Open Enrollment for Adult Benefit Waiver
The Michigan Department of Human Services Adult Benefits Waiver program (ABW) has an open enrollment period continuing through the end of April, 2013. The open enrollment is for the ABW Plan A program which provides comprehensive health coverage. This plan includes a $1.00 co-pay for brand and generic prescription drugs. Who is eligible for ABW / Plan A?
- Adults age 19-64
- US Citizen or a legal resident in US for 5 years
- Less than $3,000 in assets
- No income or very low income
$335 / month for single person
$452 / month for married couple
Where Can I Apply?
You can apply at your local DHS office or you can apply online at www.michigan.gov/mibridges.What Do I Need To Enroll?
To submit a complete application, please bring: 1. Photo ID 2. Proof of income from last 30 days 3. Most recent bank statements 4. Documentation of assets
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2013 Disability Network Legislative Day
 You are invited to join the 15 CILs of Michigan at the Disability Network Legislative Day in Lansing. Bring your family, friends, colleagues, and board members. The more people carrying our message, the more those in Lansing will hear it! Registration is required so we can provide enough meals. Please register by Friday, April 19th!
Here is the schedule of events:
9:00 am - Welcome
9:15 am - Review DNM Position Statements
10:00 am - Legislative Appointments
11:00 am - Lunch with Legislators
12:30 pm - Legislative Appointments
2:30 pm - Wrap-Up Discussion
3:00 pm - Adjourn
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NBC Television Show "Parenthood" Sparks National Conversation About Autism
April is Autism Awareness Month. While there are many seminars, trainings, and other activities going-on in communities across America, a national conversation has been steadily growing since viewers of NBC's "Parenthood" were introduced to Max Braverman.
The character of Max Braverman has Asperger's syndrome. Since making this known to viewers early on in the show, Autism has emerged as a central part of nearly every episode of the drama, which focuses on the experiences of three generations of a California family.
The Asperger's storyline follows the family's journey to accept Max's diagnosis and help him progress, all while dealing with their own emotions. The show's heavy focus on life with a developmental disability is believed to be a first and so far audiences both with and without ties to autism seem to be responding.
"While not all parents are dealing with autism or Asperger's, what I do find is all parents are dealing with something with their kids," says Jason Katims, the show's creator who himself has a son on the autism spectrum.
Disability Scoop's Michelle Diament recently interviewed Max Burkholder, the actor who plays "Max" on the show.
Disability Scoop: How did you land the role of Max on "Parenthood"?
 Max Burkholder: I went in to audition and I really liked it a lot, so I was hoping that I would get called back. I had no idea what autism was before so I wanted to be able to learn more. It's hard sometimes thinking of stuff that a person with autism might do in any given situation, but it's still really fun.
Disability Scoop: What's it like to play a character with Asperger's syndrome?
Max Burkholder: It's quite a bit harder because I have to figure out a way of expressing what Max is feeling without making it seem that he doesn't have Asperger's.
Disability Scoop: What goes through your mind to get into character?
Max Burkholder: I just think what Max might be feeling. He has special interests, like he loves bugs, anything about bugs. So whenever there's something about bugs I try to seem really interested. But he doesn't like to be touched so I make myself think that if this person touches me, it's going to hurt a lot.
Disability Scoop: How do you make sure that your portrayal is realistic?
Max Burkholder: Every couple of episodes I get together with an Asperger's doctor, the director and the executive producer and we talk about what Max might do in the given situations in the script. I get new ideas about what to do during the scenes - how he would act, what he would say - because a lot of ad-libbing happens on the show. As I do more and more, I start to understand more about what Max might be feeling.
Disability Scoop: What have you learned about autism since taking on the role?
Max Burkholder: It's different for every person, but it's really just being a little more sensitive than you normally would be to things like sight, sound and touch and they can't really understand facial expressions and social cues.
Disability Scoop: Have you gotten any feedback about your portrayal of Max?
Max Burkholder: I recently got a letter from a girl who has Asperger's and she thought that I was doing well and I was really excited. It's pretty touching when someone who actually has the syndrome thinks I'm doing a good job at portraying it.
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Feds Take Stand Against Sheltered Workshops
The US Department of Justice recently filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit brought on behalf of thousands of people with developmental disabilities against the state of Oregon. The individuals behind the case allege the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing supported employment services, which help people with disabilities work in the community.
The first-of-its kind lawsuit is being closely watched by advocates as the disability community remains split on the appropriate role of "sheltered workshops." Sheltered workshop refers to an organization or environment that employs people with disabilities separately from others, often at sub-minimum wages.
Plaintiffs in the case argue that they have requested assistance to be able to obtain competitive employment for years with no luck and they feel trapped in a system where sheltered employment is their only option.
Now, in a move that could add weight to the proceedings, the Justice Department wants to become a plaintiff as well. In a filing with the court, government attorneys allege that "the state of Oregon discriminates against individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by unnecessarily segregating them in sheltered workshops and by placing them at risk of such segregation." At the heart of the matter is the principle articulated in the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision which he "that persons with disabilities have a right to spend their lives in the most integrated setting appropriate for them as individuals." Government attorneys argue this ruling is just as sensibly applied to the employment setting and that "a full and equal life in the community - the ultimate goal of Olmstead - cannot be achieved without a meaningful, integrated way to spend the day, including integrated 'work options.'" The action comes nearly a year after the Justice Department filed a statement of interest with the court arguing that limiting people with disabilities to employment in sheltered workshops is no different than restricting them to live in institutions. |
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Support Disability Network by Shopping at Kroger!
 Attention Kroger Shoppers! Supporters of Disability Network now have an easy way to support our mission of promoting independence for people with disabilities. All it takes is a Kroger Card and a few clicks at KrogerCommunityRewards.com.
It's easy to enroll in Kroger Community Rewards. Just visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com,
click on "Michigan" and click on the green "Enroll Now" button.
When prompted, enter 90870 or Disability Network of Mid-Michigan to select our organization.
All participants must have a valid online account at Kroger.com and must sign up online to participate.
NOTE: Even if you signed up to support us before, you must re-enroll every year after April 1st.
By enrolling, you allocate a percentage of what you spend as a donation to Disability Network EVERY TIME you shop! It's that easy! And, it takes nothing away from your Kroger rewards points.
If you need assistance or if you have questions about the program, please contact Matthew Ivan at 989-835-4041.
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AT CORNER: There's An App For That And Here's How To Find It!"
In this age of ever-increasing mobility, many of the great mobile applications can be difficult to discover without knowing how to find them. The folks at Georgia Tech University have developed a database to help you find your favorite Apps for living, learning, working, and playing!
Click here to view the database!
You can search for everything from books, educational tools, environmental adaptations, hearing, visual, and/or communication devices, and so much more!
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Community Feedback: Question of the Month
We need your input! Here's an easy way for your voice to be heard!
As part of our on-going efforts to make our communities accessible, we'll be asking our readers questions each month. We'll use your answers, your suggestions, and your opinions as a basis for determining what we can do, in terms of services and advocacy, to build fully-inclusive communities.
April 2013 Questions:
"Do you feel there is adequate transportation for people with disabilities in your community? Why or why not?"
Click here to submit your answer(s) to the question. Your responses will be anonymous and we will not share your name or email information with any third party.
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STATEMENT OF ACCESSIBILITY
DNMM advocates for the removal of barriers to independence and full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Mid-Michigan area. DNMM pledges to ensure accessibility. Each year, DNMM conducts a review of its own architectural, environmental, attitudinal, employment, communication, transportation, and other barriers that may exist which prohibit full access to our services.
If you have any issues of concern regarding the accessibility of DNMM services and facilities, we encourage you to share that information with us.
Please send your concerns or suggestions to:
Executive Director
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan
1705 S. Saginaw Road
Midland, MI 48640
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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
23 years of promoting and encouraging independence for all people with disabilities.
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Events Calendar
April 16th
Saginaw Chamber of Commerce 150th Annual Meeting
5:00-7:00pm
Temple Theater
203 N. Washington Ave.
Saginaw
April 17th
Midland Senior Expo
10am - 2pm
Midland Mall
"Come visit us at the Disability Network Booth in the Ruby Tuesday wing!"
April 20th
Paula Pirnstill Memorial Health & Safety Fair
10am - 2pm
Farwell High School
April 20th
Midland County Children with Special Needs Parent Network
Easter Egg Hunt
1:00pm
Larkin Township Park
April 23rd
STAGES
Spring Skate
3:30 - 5:30pm
Metro West Skating Rink
Bay City
April 25th
Delta Project
New Enrollee Parent - Student Informational Meeting
5:30pm
Midland ESA
April 25th
Disability Network
Legislative Day
9am - 3pm
Lansing
April 25th
Great Lakes Bay Autism Center
Family Support Group
6:00pm
Mid-Michigan Children's Museum
315 W. Genesee
Saginaw
May 3rd
Delta College 50+ Health For Life Expo
9am - 1pm
Pioneer Gym
Delta College
May 7th
Delta Project
Workshop
IEP / 504 Training
6:00pm
DNMM Office
May 11th
"An inclusive and accessible baseball league for children with disabilities."
9:00am
Frank Anderson Memorial Complex
Bridgeport, MI
May 23rd
"Understanding Medicare Enrollment"
10:30am - Noon
Houghton Lake Public Library
4431 W. Houghton Lake Dr.
Houghton Lake
989-366-9230
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Click to download our Core Services Brochure
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Click to download the Michigan AT Loan Fund Brochure
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Click to download the BLN brochure.
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