Disability Network of Mid-Michigan
November 2014 Newsletter

1705 South Saginaw Road

Midland, MI 48640

(989) 835-4041 (800) 782-4160
www.dnmm.org

Election Day Is Your Chance To Be Heard!

Vote! The 2014 general election is today! Tuesday, November 4th. Polls are open from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

Click here to find out where your voting location is or to view a sample ballot.

This year, Michigan voters will be casting votes for Governor of Michigan, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate, State Representative, Michigan Supreme Court, and many other state, county, and local offices. In addition, there are two state-wide ballot propositions, and many localities have millage questions. Make sure your voice is heard! Vote today!!!

The following links may be helpful with regard to the voting process and current issues:

Michigan Voter Information Center

Access America episode featuring the AutoMark Voting System

Accessible Voting Federal and state law requires every city and township to provide accessible registration and voting locations for voters with disabilities.

If you require voting assistance, ask the election workers for help; a reason for the needed assistance does not have to be stated. Two inspectors will assist you in the voting station.

A voter who is blind, has a disability, or is unable to read or write may be assisted with his or her ballot by any person of the voter's choice, except the following: the voter's employer or agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of a union to which the voter belongs.

For more information, contact your city or township clerk. Voters with hearing loss may contact the Bureau of Elections at (517) 241-4320 (TTY).

If you feel your vote is being suppressed, the National Center for Independent Living urges you to call this voter hotline for help: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

If you encounter difficulties when trying to vote, let us know! Call us at 989-835-4041. After regular business hours, call Matthew Ivan at 989-430-6105.

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AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE PART IN DISABILITY MENTORING DAY

In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Disability Network of Mid-Michigan (DNMM) and The Dow Chemical Company's Disability Employee Network (DEN) sponsored the thirteenth annual Disability Mentoring Day on October 15th and October 22nd at various locations throughout mid-Michigan.

Students at Chemical Bank during Disability Mentoring Day

Disability Mentoring Day provides 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:

Sam's Club in Saginaw, McLaren Bay Region in Bay City, and The Dow Chemical Company, Chemical Bank, and Cintas in Midland. 54 students from Bullock Creek, Coleman, Meridian, HH Dow, Midland, the Midland Academy, Bay City Central, Bay City John Glenn, and Bay City Western high schools participated. In addition, 16 students from Shepherd and Mt. Pleasant high schools toured Masonic Pathways Senior Living facility in Alma with mentoring sessions at the Gratiot-Isabella RESD.

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

Kelly Rule talks with students as they tour Masonic Pathways

"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.

"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. During 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."

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DNMM Event Raises Over $1800 for United Way

Divided United with UofM and MSU football helmets

On Saturday, October 25, Disability Network of Mid-Michigan (DNMM) hosted a "Divided UNITED" fundraiser for the United Way of Midland County at the Midland Brewing Company (MBC).

The fundraiser supported the United Way's current community giving campaign. The event was centered around the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game. Donors purchased "squares" on a "Score By Quarters" raffle board. After each quarter of the game, a winner received a range of prizes donated by DNMM and MBC. In addition to the raffle, MBC donated $1 of all beers sold during the event, bags of Logan's Roadhouse peanuts were sold, and general donations were collected. In total, DNMM raised $1,870 for the United Way.

Crowd at Midland Brewing Company for the Divided UNITED fundraiser

"We are so grateful to all who helped make this fundraiser a success, especially the staff at Midland Brewing Company," said David Emmel, Executive Director of DNMM. "United Way does so much for so many families and non-profits in Midland County. We were all eager to do whatever we could to help them reach their fundraising goal. And the community's generous response was indicative of how much we all value the United Way and all they do for our community."

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Lincoln Township Pavilion Now Accessible To Persons With Disabilities

The grassy lawn around the Lincoln Township park pavilion has been improved with a fully accessible parking area and cement sidewalks. The community activities held here can now be enjoyed by all.

The pavilion itself was built on the township hall property at 8500 S. Crawford Road as a result of a generous donation by Dorothy Sponseller, a township resident. Access to the pavilion is free for both residents and non-residents of Lincoln Township.

While the pavilion is still a relatively new addition to the area, its anticipated uses include various social activities, such as family reunions, graduation open houses, and 4H meetings, in this farming community. The cement sidewalks, building skirts, and parking lot signage will allow all visitors to access the pavilion, regardless of physical ability.

The accessible modifications were funded by the Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund and the Shepherd Community Fund. Both are endowment funds of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. The Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund was
established to provide greater access to recreation in all of Isabella County. The Shepherd Community Fund was established to specifically foster the welfare of Shepherd area citizens.

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VETERANS DAY 2014

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 retailers 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.

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

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Community Feedback: Questions 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 2014 Questions:

What barriers, if any, have you encountered as you seek Housing? Have you been able to find affordable accessible housing? Can you offer any advice to other people with disabilities seeking housing?

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

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is a CARF - Accredited, United Way non-profit agency.

In This Issue

Election Day 2014

Area High School Students Take Part in Disability Mentoring Day

Divided UNITED Event Raises $1,800 for United Way

Lincoln Township Pavilion Now Accessible

Veterans Day 2014 - Thank Yous and Discounts

Community Feedback: Question of the Month

Board of Directors

Officers:
Harry Leaver

- President

Teresa Oliver

- Vice President

Andrea Bridgewater

- Secretary

Norm Donker

- Treasurer

Members at Large:

Jerry Pritchett
Dr. Bill Bateman
Tim Troy
June Price

Frank Champagne
Mary Laforet
Mary Reif
Dr. Barbara Gibson
Tom Provoast

Executive Director:

David Emmel

On The Web

www.dnmm.org

Social Media

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
25 years of promoting and encouraging independence for all people with disabilities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 4

Election Day
Statewide

7:00am - 8:00pm

November 5

Midland Project Housing Connect

Services provided include: free flu shots, haircuts, health screenings,
giveaways, housing information, and other assistance

First United Methodist Church

11:00am - 2:00pm

November 6

Saginaw Project Housing Connect

Saginaw YMCA

11:00am - 2:00pm

November 11

Veterans Day

Activities throughout the mid-Michigan area. Click here for special discounts and free meals offered to veterans.

November 14

"Wee Stroll"

Chippewa Nature Center
9:00 - 10:00am
and
10:30 - 11:30am

Free, drop-in program designed for parents to take a guided walk with their child (6 months-2 years old), learn about the outdoors, and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world around them.

November 26

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

5:00 - 7:00pm

Salvation Army
330 Waldo Ave. Midland

Please call to register so they know how many to plan for 989-496-2787.

Click to download our Core Services Brochure

Click to download the Michigan AT Loan Fund Brochure

Bridging the Gap Between Job Seekers with Disabilities & Employers Looking to Hire