Collage of people and fall images.  
NOVEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
top1705 South Saginaw Road 
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 835-4041  (800) 782-4160
dmdBay and Midland Students Take Part in Disability Mentoring Day
   

Mentoring groups at Dow Business Process Services Center

In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Disability Network of Mid-Michigan (DNMM) and The Dow Chemical Company's Disability Employee Network (DEN) sponsored the twelfth annual Disability Mentoring Day on Tuesday, October 16th at various locations throughout mid-Michigan.

 

Students tour Cintas facility

Disability Mentoring Day allows students with disabilities the chance to not only tour local businesses, but also to engage in mentoring sessions with employees. Businesses that participated in this year's mentoring day included: The Dow Chemical Company, Chemical Bank, MidMichigan Health, McLaren Bay Region, Cintas, and the Great Lakes Loons/Dow Diamond. Seventy students from Bay and Midland counties participated.

 

David Emmel, Executive Director of Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, issued the following statement:

 

"54 million Americans (1 in 5) are people with disabilities. Department of Labor statistics continue to show a significant gap between the employment situation of people with disabilities and the employment situation of people with no disability. People with disabilities constitute the largest pool of untapped labor of any minority group.

 

DMD students touring physical therapy wing of Mid Michigan Medical Center

"DNMM and DEN are committed to working with businesses and employers in an effort to remove barriers to employment facing people with disabilities. Disability Mentoring Day is an effective first step toward removing those barriers.

 

"Businesses participating in Disability Mentoring Day have the opportunity to significantly impact the career aspirations of students with disabilities. Lowell Gisel addressing the group of over 80 studentsDuring this day-long event,

students from throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region participate in job-shadowing, tour businesses, and meet with mentors from participating businesses. It can open up a whole new world of possibilities, both for students with disabilities and for employers." 


Jessica, a junior at Bay City Central High School, particularly enjoyed learning about opportunities at McLaren Bay Region. "It was helpful to hear from Human Resources about what they look for in an employee," said Jessica. "I didn't even know I could work there, but now it's something I might want to look at."
 
unitedwayDNMM and United Way of Midland County Take 5 to Give 5 dollars
Help Support The United Way!!!

WHAT:  Fund Raising Drive for United Way

people wearing live united shirtsWHEN:

Thursday, November 14th

11am - 6pm

 

WHERE:   

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan

Front Parking Lot

1705 S. Saginaw Rd. - Midland

Across from Kmart, next to McDonald's

   

WHY: The United Way directly supports a multitude of area charities and non-profits. They provide food, housing, preschool, counseling, shelter, education, and hope for hundreds of community members; our friends, our families, and our neighbors.  

 

It's Easy!!!  

Drive In - Donate - Drive Out 

Take Five to Give $5!!!  

 

Want to volunteer?  We need enthusiastic folks willing to spend an hour or two along Saginaw Road waving signs and directing people into the parking lot to donate. If you're interested and available, please contact Matthew Ivan at 989-835-4041 ext. 227.  

 

Can't make it to DNMM during those hours? Give us a call or take your donation directly to the United Way building by this Friday.

 

people wearing live united shirts




funzoneMidland's Plymouth Park Fun Zone is Being Renovated. Your Input is Needed!

It's time for an update. Get in the Fun Zone!
    
 
WHAT:  Committee Meeting 

Fun zone WHEN:    

Monday, November 18th

7:00pm

 

WHERE:   

Midland City Hall

Council Chambers 

   

WHY:   

Ensuring our recreation areas are fully accessible to people with disabilities is an important part of building an accessible and inclusive community. Having access to recreation is a vital aspect of independence; one that many perhaps take for granted. 

 

Make your voice heard!

Help make our parks accessible! 


 DNMM logo City of Midland logo. Midland Area Community Foundation logo.

 

seminarInformational Seminar: How Does Healthcare Reform Affect You?

  

Please join us for this free educational presentation on Healthcare Reform in America

The information will be non-partisan. Learn what healthcare reform is and how it can impact you and your family.  

 

A free seminar on the changes healthcare reform will bring to you and your family.

 

Where: Pere Marquette Depot

1000 Adams Street, Bay City, Michigan

When: Wednesday, November 7th, at 1:00 p.m.

 

For more information, click the image below.

 

 

Michigan Consumers for Health Care

The Michigan Consumers for Healthcare (MCH) is a collaborative alliance of consumers, partners and policymakers to attain affordable, accessible, quality healthcare for everyone in Michigan through education, outreach, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. 

 

 

 

riccRICC Fall Harvest Dinner

 

Fall harvest of gourds, corn, and apples. The Midland County Regional Inclusive Community Coalition is sponsoring a free fall harvest dinner.

 

Join us from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Blessed Sacrament Church, in Midland, on Thursday, November 9, 2013.    

 

Seating is limited. Please RSVP to 835-4041 by Monday, November 6th.

 

The dinner is made possible through collaboration with GMS Arts Education, PAO, CMH, the ARC of Midland, Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, Safe Haven Outreach and the Arnold Center.   


 

vetsVeterans Day and Discounts for Veterans

 

Veterans Day is November 11th. To our brave men and women of the armed forces, and to their families, we thank you for your service.

 

There are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or a discount, we say thank you. Our goal is to share as many of these free meals and discounts with our military veterans as possible. Click here for a more complete list of Veterans Day discounts. 

 

Veterans Day Honoring All Who Served  

A couple of things to consider:

  • Proof of Military Service. First, most companies require some form of military ID - including a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may only require a photo of you in uniform, or go by the honor system.
  • Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies and often the free meals are from a particular menu. We suggest you contact the restaurant beforehand to verify their participation.

The following restaurants are offering free meals or discounts to veterans.  

Applebee's  Famous Dave's Chili's Golden Corral    

  Outback Steakhouse Olive Garden 

  TGI Friday's 

   Denny's 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

In addition to these restaurant offers, Home Depot and Lowe's are offering 10% discounts to all veterans.

 

We hope everyone will join us in thanking all veterans, and their families, for their service.  


 

    

questionCommunity 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're 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.

November 2013 Question: 

Do you feel you encounter barriers to your own independence? If so, what might they be and what assistance do you need in overcoming them. 
 

 

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. 

   

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
In This Month's Issue
Disability Mentoring Day
Help Support United Way of Midland County
Plymouth Park Renovations: Make Your Voice Heard!
How Does Healthcare Reform Affect You?
RICC Fall Harvest Dinner
Veterans Day
Community Feedback: Question of the Month
 
Board of Directors
 
 Officers:
 Jerry Pritchett
 - President

 Teresa Oliver 
 - Vice President

 Harry Leaver
 - Secretary

 Bill Bateman
 - Treasurer

 Members at Large:
 Tim Troy 
 June Price  
 Peter Jensen            
 Frank Champagne
 Greg Purtell
 Andrea Bridgewater
 Norm Donker
 Mary Laforet
 Mary Reif   

 

 Executive Director: 

 David Emmel 

 
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 E-Mail
info@dnmm.org 
 
"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  

 

Disability Network of
 Mid-Michigan celebrates
23 years of promoting  and encouraging independence for all people with disabilities.

 

Cover of core services brochure.
Click to download our Core Services Brochure
MI Assistive Technology Loan Fund brochure. Low Interest loans for people with disabilities and seniors to buy assistive equipment and devices. Pictures includes the MI ATLF logo and two pictures of children with disabilities.
Click to download the Michigan AT Loan Fund Brochure

Click to download the BLN brochure.