At Disability Network, it’s in our power to change everything, from individual lives to the wider community. We help people with disabilities and their families lead more productive lives in Northern Lower Michigan. But our efforts don’t just benefit them. They help everyone, with or without disabilities, who lives in, works in, or passes through our community.
Mobi to the Beach!
Tim, Matt, and Kris hang out at Traverse City State Park Beach. The park has a Mobi Chair for visitors to use to have full access of the beach and Grand Traverse Bay.
Empowering Youth
Students from the LIFE program begin the year with teambuilding activities at the Lake Ann Camp high ropes course to learn about trust and courage.
Access for Everyone
Heritage Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes is now accessible for everyone.
Freedom to Sail
Weathered Beard has partnered with Disability Network to empower individuals with disabilities through storytelling and produce a film to illustrate DN’s positive impact on our community.
Universal Access Creates Independence
Neal Steeno, from Weathered Beard, learns about mobi mats from Jeanne and her service dog, Tucker. Jeanne shares that the mats have given her the opportunity to get her feet wet and enjoy our local beaches.
Ocqueoc Falls
Ocqueoc Falls, the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is universally accessible and ADA compliant.
– New app will help the public, housing industry learn about their housing rights and responsibilities WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today unveiled the first housing discrimination mobile application (app) for iPhone and iPad. Developed by HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and Hewlett Packard (HP), the [...]
– by Betsy Zeeryp 2006- I had barely graduated from high school, and from that day on I’ve had nightmares from the bullying I went through. At one point I tried to commit to suicide. I was extremely withdrawn and mentally unstable. In fact I was abusive [...]
– Traverse Area Community Sailing (TACS) is currently seeking volunteers to help with this summer’s Adaptive Sailing Program on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s from June 11-August 22 on Boardman Lake. Volunteers are needed to assist sailors with registration, set up sail boats, sail along with participants, etc. “Volunteering with the Adaptive Sailing Program is a great opportunity [...]
– Cadillac, MI–Disability Network’s Advocacy Council of Cadillac has partnered with Fox Motors of Cadillac to provide “See What I Can See!”–an interactive panel presentation to teach our community how to help individuals with visual impairments. The event is FREE of charge, and will take place [...]
– The nation’s largest theater chain is having nearly 6,000 screens equipped this month with closed-captioning glasses developed by Sony. By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Raymond Smith Jr. has been trying for nearly two decades to make the movie industry listen to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing. This month, the senior [...]
– Northern Natural Cider House has teamed up with local star musician, Blake Elliot, to raise awareness and gather donations for Disability Network on Tuesday, May 7 from 5:30-8pm. The new Front Street business (located at 324 East Front Street) invites you, your friends, co-workers, and comrades to splurge on a few pints, jam to [...]
– By Tim Gort | The Grand Rapids Press Follow on Twitter on April 28, 2013 at 8:18 AM With daughters Eliza, left, and Gwen, right, Tim Gort has a combined 13 years of experience pushing wheelchairs. As a father of two children with cerebral palsy, I have a combined 13 years of experience pushing wheelchairs. [...]
– MilitaryVALoan.com is pleased to offer scholarships in support of disability awareness. Every year, a prospective or current college student will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to help with the costs associated with attending school. Applicants should submit an essay between 500 and 1000 words about how they or someone they knew overcame disability [...]
– 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new hotline — 1-855-VA-WOMEN — to receive and respond to questions from Veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women Veterans. The service began accepting calls on April 23, 2013. “Some women Veterans may not know about [...]
– Munson Medical Center has announced the official release of the 2013 Munson Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) as well as the Healthy Communities Institute Web Product on the Munson Healthcare Website. The 2013 Munson CHNA report covers primary and secondary health data from a five county area (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau) [...]
Disability can occur at any age and at any moment—in fact, 80% of us will have a disability at some point in our lifetime. Your support will help us to continue promoting personal empowerment and positive social change for individuals with disabilities—including children, veterans, aging parents, and those who recently acquired a disability due to an accident. For every dollar invested in Disability Network/Northern Michigan, $17 is returned to our region. Our programs boost the economy, create a more inclusive community, and offer tax savings for Michigan residents. Your donation will enable us to continue to improve the quality of life for local individuals.
Most people equate disability with limitations. But it’s our job to change the perceptions and realities that prevent people with disabilities from sharing in the community. Every year, we provide training, mentoring, and referrals to help people with disabilities and their families live productive lives. Because disability touches so many people, we also work on a larger scale, helping governments and businesses make changes that benefit not just those with disabilities, but everyone in the community.