Summer STAGES Program to Begin Eleventh Year!

The Summer STAGES youth program celebrates its eleventh year this June. Students have the chance to participate in events focusing on employment, independent living skill building, and recreation.  Students tour local businesses, participate in a community gardens project and work at Camp Fish Tales near Pinconning.   

Summer STAGES Program Highlight Video

On the recreational side, students can attend River Roar in Bay City, tennis lessons at Midland Community Tennis Center, a Great Lakes Loons baseball game, bike riding events in Bay City, Midland and Saginaw, High Ropes & Horseback riding at Camp Fowler, a Bay City River Boat ride, swimming at Delta College and more!  In addition, 2pm-4pm on Wednesdays throughout the summer, students can make use of our "Hang Out" at 3921 Todd Street in Midland.

Registration for the STAGES program is due by May 30th and is open to youth ages 14-26.  Please contact Lowell Gisel at 989-835-4041 for information on applying. We are very excited about the eleventh summer of STAGES and we hope to see you!

 DNMM Hosting FREE Medicare Enrollment Seminar

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan will be presenting "Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods" at the Houghton Lake Public Library on May 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.  

This informative seminar will present easy-to-understand Medicare Enrollment guidelines. An experienced Medicare professional will be on hand to provide information that can help enrollees avoid penalties and that can ensure an enrollee's health care is in place when needed.

This event is free and open to the public. People already enrolled in Medicare are also encouraged to attend. Information will be presented outlining circumstances that may make a current enrollee eligible for changes to his or her existing Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage.

For more information about the event, contact Disability Network at 1-800-782-4160 or visit www.dnmm.org.

Access America:  "Home Modifications"

In this month's episode of Access America,  Terri Cady welcomed Dave Ponte, a Job Coordinator at Access Construction and Design. In recognition of

Access America: Home Modifications

 Access America airs on Midland Community Television (Charter Channel 99 and Charter Digital Channel 994 ), Tuesdays at 7:30pm and Thursdays at 4:00pm. The show is also broadcast on public access television in Bay, Clare, Gratiot, Isabella and Saginaw Counties.  Check your local listings for air times.

Want to view our show online? Visit our Vimeo Channel at: www.vimeo.com/dnmm.  

 Fall TV Lineup Puts Focus on Characters with Disabilities        

Television appears to be embracing disability more widely with network executives announcing this week a handful of new shows that prominently feature characters with special needs. Of the 17 new shows NBC plans to debut during the 2013-2014 season, three have main characters with disabilities.

 

 

The crime series "Ironside" is built around a detective who uses a wheelchair, and is a re-launch of a series that originally aired from 1967 - 1975. On the comedy, "The Family Guide," the father is blind. And, "The Michael J. Fox Show" will feature the actor, who has Parkinson's disease, playing a news anchor who's also dealing with the condition.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, ABC executives said they will air a new show titled "Mind Games" that focuses on a man with bipolar disorder who, along with his brother, solves people's problems using psychological manipulation.

 

 

 

Traditionally, people with disabilities have been underrepresented on television, with a 2011 report finding that fewer than 1 percent of characters on prime-time network shows had disabilities. The entertainment industry has also faced criticism for often failing to cast actors with disabilities in the roles that do exist. Of the actors featured in the new shows this coming season, Michael J. Fox appears to be the only one who actually has the disability he will portray.

 

 

"While I'm disappointed not all the characters will be played by people with disabilities, the fall lineup appears to be a big step in the right direction," said Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. "I anticipate that these characters will open a window into the everyday realities of people with disabilities, and help shift public perceptions about our capacity to live, work and raise a family just like everyone else."

AT CORNER: "Assistive Technology in Action Video Series" 

The Family Center on Technology and Disability invites you to "Meet Jared."  

Assistive Technology in Action - Meet Jared

The newest AT in Action video, introduces Jared, a young man with cerebral palsy who controls his computer using a sip and puff switch. That computer access allows Jared to run a business creating dynamic graphics and websites.  

We hope you'll spend a few moments watching this video and that you'll share it with your family and friends.  

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.

May 2013 Question:   

"What can Disability Network of Mid-Michigan do to help you or your family?" 

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.