Disability Network Southwest Michigan

: Every Wednesday we share good things happening here at DN or in the Community.

Today we're happy to share the next Book Club selection: I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World. 📚

And here's the best part: authors Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards will be joining us virtually for the discussion!

📅 Wednesday, August 19
⏰ 6:00-7:30 PM

🔗 Follow this link to learn more & submit any accommodation requests! https://loom.ly/cbgoJsk

ID: Book cover for "I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World" by Meghan Ashburn & Jules Edwards. A bright green hill below a light blue sky. Illustration of two women standing back-to-back, with authors' names. Text: Book Club.

: On Tuesdays we share a tip or fact about the to give better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

Today's tip is a simple one: When sharing a photo online, add a brief image description. A few words can help people who use screen readers or other assistive tech understand what's being shown.

Not familiar with image descriptions? Think of image descriptions as a way of putting pictures into words. Here's an example for the graphic in this post. 👇

ID: DNSWM logo. Text: Tip Tuesday. When sharing a photo online, add a brief image description (ID).

Happy Monday! We get this question all the time: can you work while receiving SSI or SSDI benefits? The answer is yes! But you need a plan and to understand what will happen to your benefits and healthcare.

Join us Tuesday, June 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for a workshop about employment, benefits planning, and Social Security work incentives.

Learn about tools and supports that can help people make informed decisions about work and financial stability.

🔗 Register here: https://loom.ly/r2lXufQ

ID: Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo. A roadmap with road signs that read: Benefits Planning, Employment, & Support.

Do you bank with Consumers Credit Union? Support us without changing your routine!

If you're a Consumers Credit Union member, you can help Disability Network Southwest Michigan grow by rounding up your purchases. It’s easy, automatic, and free to join. Start today!

🔗👉 Learn more here: https://loom.ly/rHwWFDc

ID: A hand putting change into a coin jar. Consumers Credit Union logo. Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo. Text: Round Up for Impact.

Every ADA Celebration is a reminder that meaningful change happens when communities come together. We are grateful to our ADA Celebration event sponsors for helping create an event that honors the past, celebrates the present, and looks toward a better future.

A huge thank you to Kalsec, Bronson Healthcare, and Consumers Energy Helping Neighbors Program, for standing with the and helping make this celebration a success. 🎉 We couldn't do it without you!

ID: Logos for Kalsec, Bronson Healthcare, and Consumers Energy on a background image of attendees gathering at last year's ADA Celebration. Text: Thank you to our sponsors!

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for.

Today, we're taking a moment to celebrate two people whose hard work often happens quietly but makes meaningful change: Kelly and Kristi O. ♿

As Certified ADA Specialists, Kelly and Kristi spend countless hours helping businesses and organizations make their spaces more welcoming and available to people with disabilities. The outcome can include spaces that are programmatically and physically more feasible for people to participate in. Much of their work happens behind the scenes, but its impact can be seen throughout our community.

Their expertise, dedication, and persistence were instrumental in helping Kalamazoo County achieve the distinction of having the most accessibility-verified locations among communities of its size through collaborative work with Discover Kalamazoo and Wheel the World.

Accessibility doesn't happen by accident. It happens because people like Kelly and Kristi keep showing up, asking questions, sharing knowledge, and doing the work. Thank you both for the knowledge, care, and commitment you bring to making our community better for everyone.

ID: DNSWM staff members Kristi and Kelly reviewing photos from a site survey, seated at a table with two laptops.

: Every Wednesday we share good things happening here at DN or in the Community.

Today we're shouting out DNSWM team member, Anne. Anne is an Independent Living Specialist, facilitates the Brain Injury Peer Support Group, and is an enthusiast of all things brain-related.

If you know Anne, you know her favorite hobby is learning. She can't. stop. won't. stop. learning. Recently, Anne became a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), a specialized certification offered through the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). Earning a CBIS credential requires extensive training and demonstrates specialized knowledge of brain injury and its impacts.

Considering Anne treats learning like an Olympic sport, it's no surprise she added another credential to her collection. This certification reflects Anne's dedication to understanding brain injury and helping people navigate life after injury with information, support, and connection. We are grateful to have her knowledge, curiosity, and passion on our team!

Join us in congratulating Anne on becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist! 👏🧠

ID: DNSWM staff member, Anne, a woman with red hair wearing a black shirt; text: Anne, Certified Brain Injury Specialist.

: On Tuesdays we share a tip or fact about the to give better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

Ever put your foot in your mouth when talking about disability? It happens! There's still time to join this morning's Disability Language & Etiquette webinar and learn tips for navigating conversations with confidence.

🔗 Join us for today's 10:00 AM webinar: https://loom.ly/GKl9ZJ8

ID: DNSWM logo. Text: Tip Tuesday. Our words matter. But nobody gets it right every time. What matters is a willingness to learn and listen.

Happy Monday, DN Fam! ☀️

🎉 There's something for everyone at our upcoming Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration this July!

Enjoy lunch, explore a Disability Arts & Crafts Market, connect with 25+ community organizations, and celebrate the ADA!

We can't wait to see you there! 🎨🍴📝

🔗 More info & registration here: https://loom.ly/1Buefl8

🎨 Turn your creativity into community connections and sales! 🧵✨

Vendor applications are now open for our Disability Arts & Crafts Market!

We're looking for artists, crafters, makers, creators, doodlers, builders, stitchers, and people who want their items out in the world! Join us for a day of creativity, connection, and community.

🔗 Info/application here: https://loom.ly/b-zF-kQ

ID: Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo. Art-related graphics including a tube of paint, paint splatters, a spray paint can, and a ball of yarn. Text: Currently seeking Disability Arts & Crafts Market Vendors. July 24, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Kalamazoo Farmers Market, 1204 Bank St, Kalamazoo, MI.