Americans with Disabilities Act - Statewide celebration September 17th, 2015
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan

September 2015 Newsletter
top1705 South Saginaw Road 
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 835-4041  (800) 782-4160
Image describing events of ADA celebration. Click here to be taken the that website.

Get on Board!
Disability Network Mid-Michigan has arranged for an Indian Trailways bus to transport people from both our Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw locations to the Statewide ADA 25th Anniversary event in Lansing. Sign up now to reserve your seat! 

Seats are just $10 per person. This includes transportation, an ADA Anniversary T-Shirt, a goodie-bag, and lunch. Seating is limited, so it is first come, first served! To reserve your seat, email Matthew Ivan with your name, your t-shirt size, which location you'll be boarding at, and what type of mobility device you will be using that day, if any; or call 989-835-4041. 

The celebration will feature vendors, speakers, performances and a diverse group of participants.  We are anticipating over 500 supporters to join us from across Michigan's 83 counties.  The planning committee is excited to announce that Kelly Buckland, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, will be the keynote speaker.

New Rule Ends 'Modified' Tests For Students With Disabilities

classroom with desks and notebooks The U.S. Department of Education is doing away with a policy that allowed states to consider some students with disabilities academically proficient without meeting grade-level standards.

The agency said in a final rule published late last week in the Federal Register that states will no longer be allowed to administer tests to students with disabilities that are based on modified academic achievement standards.

Previously, states could count up to two percent of their students as proficient under the No Child Left Behind Act for taking such exams. But now the Education Department is saying no more to the policy known as the "two percent rule."

"We believe that the removal of the authority for states to define modified academic achievement standards and to administer assessments based on those standards is necessary to ensure that students with disabilities are held to the same high standards as their non-disabled peers," the agency said in the rule, which will officially take effect September 21.

The move is designed to ensure that students with disabilities who are capable of meeting general education standards with proper supports are not shortchanged, the Education Department said. Any state still using modified standards and assessments will have one year to phase them out.

Despite the change, children with the most significant cognitive disabilities - as many as one percent of all students - will still be allowed to take tests based on "alternate academic achievement standards" under the rule.

The shift away from modified assessments has been in the works for several years. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan pledged in 2011 to move away from the two percent rule. And, his agency formally proposed the change in 2013.

In issuing the regulations, the Education Department cited new research showing that students with disabilities who struggle with reading and math can achieve at grade-level standards if provided "appropriate instruction, services and supports." What's more, the agency said that nearly all states have new standardized tests "designed to facilitate the valid, reliable and fair assessment of most students, including students with disabilities who previously took an alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards."

Nearly every state has already transitioned away from administering modified assessments, according to Lindsay Jones, director of public policy and advocacy at the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

"The department's final rule meets a commitment it set for itself and really recognizes what we know to be true - we don't need loopholes, we need to focus our efforts on supporting teachers to provide the best instruction they can to students with disabilities," Jones said.

DNMM Independent Living Guides Can Help You Become Self-Sufficient


Self-sufficiency is not having to depend forever on other people or programs to get what you want in life. If you want to set your own goals and become self-sufficient, contact Disability Network today! 1-800-782-4160.

At Disability Network, our Independent Living Guides, Amanda Jaime and Sandi Kulik, will meet with you to discuss your goals and your concerns. They can connect you with resources and services and work with you to remove any barriers that are preventing you from reaching those goals. 

Amanda Jaime Amanda obtained certification in vocational case management from Michigan State University. After becoming certified, she spent ten years as a job placement specialist with Selective Case Management, working with consumers from all across the state. For the last four years, Amanda was a case worker with the Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency in Bay City and the YWCA in Flint. A camping enthusiast, Amanda enjoys spending many outdoors activities with her husband, four children, and their dog.

Sandi Kulik Sandi Kulik has a bachelor's degree in Human Services from the University of Phoenix, and is preparing to seek a Masters in counseling.  A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Sandi continued a long-standing family tradition of military service.   She is very passionate about helping other veterans. She has a history of helping homeless veterans as well as volunteering at local chapters of the American Legion.  She is a member of the Gladwin County CERT team, and is very active with the local schools.  Sandi enjoys spending time with her husband and her 4 children. In her spare time Sandi enjoys kayaking, hunting, and hiking in the woods.

   
Rethinking Guardianship: Facilitating Life-Long Self Determination
with Dohn Hoyle, The Arc Michigan

Thursday, September 24, 2015 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Winding Brook Conference Center
8240 S. Genuine Rd, Shepherd 48883

families and individuals This workshop is for families whose child has a developmental disability, as well as service providers and educators working with students and their families.
This workshop covers: guardianship from a historical perspective, strangers as guardians and alternatives
  • How can I advocate for my adult child?
  • What are alternatives to guardianship?
  • What is power of attorney?
  • How can medical and financial decisions be handled?
  • How can we best support students as they transition to adulthood?
Please register by 9-17-15. Call (989) 278-8010 or email sarah@michiganallianceforfamilies.org. You can also register online at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/rsvp

Please note: To be good stewards of our funding resources, we need a minimum number of participants registered by the registration deadline for the presentation to be held. If it is after the deadline and you haven't registered, please call or email to check the status of the event. If you require accommodations or materials in an alternative format, please let us know one week before the workshop.
Michigan Alliance for Families

Deadline to Apply for Michigan Home Heating Credit Approaching
  
Home Heating September 30th is the deadline to apply for Michigan's Home Heating Credit (HHC) in 2015. The credit assists low-income people and qualifying senior citizens with winter energy bills. Customers do not need to file a Michigan tax return to apply for the Home Heating Credit.
The average credit paid out in 2014 was $130.
 
Paying winter heating bills can be challenging for low-income utility customers. The Home Heating Credit is available to assist them. We encourage low-income consumers to apply for this important credit before the September 30th deadline.

The Home Heating Credit is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant. Home Heating Credits are processed by the Michigan Department of Treasury. The form (MI-1040CR-7) may be obtained from the Department of Treasury website at michigan.gov/taxes or by calling 517-636-4486.

Eligible customers must have their homestead in Michigan, must own or rent the home in which they live, and for the standard allowance, their income must fall within certain limits, as the following chart indicates:
 
Number of Exemptions*
Maximum Income
0 or 1
$12,842
2
$17,329
3
$21,786
4
$26,243
5
$30,728
6
$35,186
*Note: Special exemptions are available for persons with a disability.

Survey: Air Travel for People Who Use Wheelchairs
Wheelchair user in line at airport If you use a wheelchair and have flown in a commercial aircraft in the last five years, your input could be helpful in trying to improve air travel for persons with disabilities. Please take a minute to fill out a short survey by going to the following website:
 
 
Participants must meet the following criteria:
  •         18-70 years old
  •         Non-ambulatory
  •         Use a manual or power wheelchair
 
   
 STAGES Program Wraps Up Another Successful Summer  
 
Stages kids helping out at Shelterhouse The Summer STAGES youth program celebrated the completion of its thirteenth year this August. Over 60 students had the chance to participate in events focusing on employment, independent living skill building, and recreation.  Students toured local businesses like Randy's Green Thumb, Fashion Square Cinema, and T-shirts Mugs N' More. The students participated in numerous teamwork and skill-building exercises, gained work experience at Camp Fish Tales, and volunteered at several area locations like Shelterhouse.
 
Stages students watching a wrestling event STAGES students took part in bike-riding events in Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw, took on a high ropes challenge course & horseback riding at Camp Fowler, enjoyed the Bay City River Roar, toured the Japanese Gardens, learned about Native American culture Ziibiwing Center in Mt. Pleasant, took tennis lessons at Midland Community Tennis Center, went swimming and visited the planetarium at Delta College and spent an afternoon aboard the Princess Wenonah on the Saginaw River.
 
With school starting up next week, the STAGES program staff will continue working with students one-on-one and in small group settings. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in monthly "get-togethers" covering a wide range of recreational and team-building activities.  
National Voter Registration Day

Vote!
Even though the election is more than a year away, candidates for President have hit the campaign trail, bought advertising, and engaged in political debates.  The first step in engaging in the political process is registering to vote. National Voter Registration Day is a single day of coordinated action to help millions of Americans register to vote.

More than 1,200 nonprofit organizations across the country have already joined the effort.  We hope you'll consider singing up today.

National Voter Registration Day is endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State and was recently promoted by president Obama in his remarks on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act.  If you'd like to learn more, visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org.

Community Input: Question of the Month

 

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.

September 2015 Question: 

The ADA was enacted 25 years ago. One of its major goals was to increase access to employment for people with disabilities. How has the ADA affected your ability to find employment? How has the ADA affected your work experiences?

 

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.
   

   

Piano Palooza 10. Save date, January 30, 2016

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

 

 

CARF AccreditedUnited Way logo
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is a CARF - Accredited, United Way non-profit agency serving:
Alcona, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Iosco, Isabella, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon, and Saginaw counties. 
DNMM 25th anniversary logo

Facebook page twitter  
View our profile on LinkedIn   View our videos on YouTube

 
In This Issue
Join us for the Statewide ADA Celebration in Lansing!
New Rule Ends Modified Tests for Students with Disabilities
DNMM Independent Living Guides Can Help You Become Self-Sufficient
Rethinking Guardianship: A Seminar Facilitating Life-Long Self-Determination
MI Home Heating Credit Application Deadline
SURVEY: Air Travel for Wheelchair Users
STAGES Program Wraps Up Summer
National Voter Registration Day
Community Feedback: Question of the Month
 
Board of Directors
 
Officers: 
Tom Provoast 
- President

 Andrea Bridgewater 
 - Vice President

 Dr. Barbara Gibson 
 - Secretary

 Norm Donker 
 - Treasurer

 Members at Large:
 Mary Laforet
Greg Pollock
Mary Reif
John Searles

Executive Director: 

 David Emmel 

 
On The Web
 


 

Social Media  

Like us on Facebook View our videos on YouTube 
View our profile on LinkedIn View our Videos on Vimeo 
Follow us on Twitter


 

 
celebrated another successful Summer!
We do meet during the school year, call 989-835-4041 if you're interested in participating.

 
"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

-Ed Roberts
Founder of the Independent Living Movement

 

DNMM 25th anniversary logo

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


 


Assistive Technology 
Open House

Monday
September 21st
2:00pm - 4:00pm
assistive technology 2
 Midland County
United Way
Room 110
220 W. Main St.
Midland, MI 48640
Go Talk 9+
Hands-on demonstrations for anyone interested in learning about the many forms of technology available to help people maintain their independence.
Ameriphone Photo Phone
Demonstrations include:
GoTalk 9+, Ameriphone Photo phone, Comfort Duett, iPad Apps, Magnification devices, wireless keyboards, amplifiers, communication boards, daily walking & grooming aides, and much more!

Seating is Limited.
Call 1-800-782-4160
to reserve your spot!

An similar demonstration is scheduled for Isabella County:
September 28th
2-4pm
Council on Aging


Personal Assistance Services Reimbursement Employment Program 

Is the cost of personal assistance a barrier to your employment? If you have a significant disability, are paying out of pocket for personal assistance, and are working at least 24 hours per week you might be eligible for PASREP. 

 

Cover of 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.
CARF Accredited



COMPUTER ACCESS

Do you need to apply for a job?  Check on your benefits? Submit an application? Access the Michigan Talent Bank?
Person using computer
DNMM offers free community computer access at our
1705 South Saginaw Road location in Midland.

Call 989-835-4041 for more information.

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

Austism Awareness Ribbon
There is a new living facility in Clare exclusively for Veterans.
For more information about the Oakbridge Inn, please call
989-386-2233.