IMPORTANT: DNWML OFFICE CLOSURES
January 15: CLOSED for MLK Jr Day
January 16: CLOSED till 12:00pm for Staff Meeting
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Remembering Jody Burton Slowins
Longtime Supporter & Community Champion
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Friends,
Welcome to 2024. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the new year and working together for a better, more inclusive community.
Unfortunately, one voice will be missing. Longtime supporter and community champion, Jody Burton Slowins, passed away at the end of December. I knew Jody about as long as I have been at Disability Network – so almost twenty years. Jody was many things to many different people in our community, and to me, Jody was a steady, calm, and joyful peer mentor. Over the years I marveled at how easy she made it look to connect with people in meaningful ways.
I am grateful for the life of service she embodied. Whether she was facilitating the MS Support Group, hosted here at DN for many years, supporting our team in learning about independent living and peer support, or working with others to create real meaningful change around important issues (such as the need for community-led quality personal care assistance), Jody put many others before herself.
While Jody may no longer be with us, I know she will be with us in spirit, and the work that she did will be built upon as we move forward.
Jody, you will be missed; I am so thankful for what you did for me, what you did for us, and what you did for the disability community.
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Alex Gossage
Executive Director
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Join us for a Fancy Dancy Valentine’s event!
February 16, 2024
6:00-8:00pm
Dancing 💗 Crafts 💗 Snacks 💗 Performances by Theatre Be
This event is for disabled youth and young adults, 14-26 years.
Tickets are FREE but you must register below.
For more information/questions, contact Krystina.
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Guardians are welcome to stay on site in our dedicated ‘guardian zone’
to learn more about the services DNWML can offer.
In case of inclement weather, please check our
Facebook or Instagram for cancellations.
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Community Connect 2024 Save the Date
DN Livingston County
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Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston is happy to announce collaboration with the Livingston County Homeless Continuum of Care for Community Connect 2024, which will be held on Saturday, February 3rd at 2|42 Community Church in Brighton.
Everyone in our community who could benefit from these services and resources is welcome to attend. “We had a phenomenal event last year with record-breaking attendance and are looking forward to another day of connecting residents with services,” said Amy Johnston, the Community Collaborative Planner for the Livingston County Human Services Collaborative Body. The event will offer many valuable resources for Livingston County residents.
No registration is needed to attend, and families are more than welcome! (Please note that childcare will not be provided.) Thank you to 2|24 Community Church for hosting the event and the following sponsors who make Community Connect possible, Livingston Sunrise Rotary, Brighton Masonic Lodge, and the Livingston County Homeless Continuum of Care.
Finally, volunteers always help make this day possible. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available from event set-up and tear down, traffic directors, and more. Head over to Volunteer Livingston to sign up and help out.
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Saturday, February 3, 2024
10:00am – 1:00pm
2/42 Community Church
7526 Grand River Ave
Brighton
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Open to all Livingston County residents and families.
No childcare provided.
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Connect with free resources and service from 50+ local organizations, including:
- Diapers
- Blankets
- Food
- Socks
- Haircuts
- Attorneys
- Laundry detergent
- Coats, hats, gloves
- Personal care items
- Boxed lunches to-go
- Health screenings
- Immunizations
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Classes, Events, & Groups
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Delishability was a great success in 2023 and we’re happy to bring it back in 2024!
Join us to make delicious recipes like:
- Cheesecake
- Breakfast items
- Side dishes
- And more!
Registration is open and this session starts 1/25/24. Let’s get cookin’!
INFO
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Winter Programming
DNWML Classes & Events
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New opportunities and old favorites align to create an awesome winter block of programming.
For more information or to connect with our instructors/staff, email:
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NEW Coffee Klatch
Social Hour
Starts February 5
NEW Your Disability Story
Writing Class
Starts in February
In-person Art Class: Monroe Community
Starts: 1/23/24
In-person Art Class: Guided Session
Starts: 1/22/24
In-person Art Class: Open Studio
Starts: 1/24/24
Virtual Art Class
Starts: 1/25/24
Theatre Be Virtual Program
Starts: 1/11/24
Delishability Cooking Class
Starts: 1/25/24
Virtual Movie Club
Starts: 1/18/24
Your World: Navigating Life with Blindness and Low Vision
Starts: 2/07/24
SCI Virtual Meet Up: Spinal Solidarity
Starts: 1/09/24
Drop-in Computer Lab Hours: Washtenaw, Monroe
Starts: 1/17/24
All of your favorite support, skill-building, and social groups!
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- January 15, 2024 – DNWML CLOSED
- January 16, 2024 – DNWML Closed till 12:00 pm
- January 17, 2024 – Washtenaw: Drop-in Computer Lab Hours
- 11:00 am-3:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 17, 2024 – Monroe: Drop-in Computer Lab Hours
- 11:30 am-3:30 pm
- Monroe DNWML
- January 18, 2024 – Movie Club
- 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
- Zoom
- January 18, 2024 – Theatre Program
- 5:30 pm-6:45 pm
- Zoom
- January 22, 2024 – In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions
- 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 23, 2024 – Monroe Co. In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions
- 10:00 am-11:30 am
- Crossroads Clubhouse
- January 23, 2024 – Monroe Co. In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions
- 1:00 pm-2:30 pm
- Fairview
- January 24, 2024 – In-person Art Class: Open Studio
- 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 24, 2024 – Washtenaw: Drop-in Computer Lab Hours
- 11:00 am-3:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 24, 2024 – Monroe: Drop-in Computer Lab Hours
- 11:30 am-3:30 pm
- Monroe DNWML
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- January 25, 2024 – Virtual Art Class: Open Studio
- 10:00 am-11:00 am*NEW TIME
- Zoom
- January 25, 2024 – Delishability Cooking Class
- 12:30 pm-2:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 25, 2024 – Movie Club
- 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
- Zoom
- January 25, 2024 – Theatre Program
- 5:30 pm-6:45 pm
- Zoom
- January 29, 2024 – In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions
- 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 31, 2024 – In-person Art Class: Open Studio
- 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 31, 2024 – Washtenaw: Drop-in Computer Lab Hours
- 11:00 am-3:00 pm
- Washtenaw/Ann Arbor DNWML
- January 31, 2024 – Monroe: Drop-in Computer Lab Hours
- 11:30 am-3:30 pm
- Monroe DNWML
- February 1, 2024 – Virtual Art Class: Open Studio
- 10:00 am-11:00 am*NEW TIME
- Zoom
- February 1, 2024 – Movie Club
- 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
- Zoom
- February 1, 2024 – Theatre Program
- 5:30 pm-6:45 pm
- Zoom
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For ALL of your favorite programming and groups…
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Where you can:
- See event details
- Register for classes and events
- Contact facilitators
- Download it to your personal calendar
- And more!
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DNWML Fitness Center OPEN
By Appointment
The Fitness Center at DNWML Washtenaw Office is now open by appointment only. Please note, Fitness Center appointments have a maximum of 2 hours AND for safety reason, a minimum of two people MUST be scheduled for the same appointment.
Schedule your appointment today!
CONTACT
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DNWML Loan Closet
The DNWML is happy to provide individuals with disability-related equipment at no cost. Equipment availability, color, brand, or style may vary. Our loan closet’s inventory is dependent upon new or gently-used donations.
Equipment includes (but might not be limited to:)
- Wheelchairs
- Reacher/grabber tools
- Shower chairs
- Tub transfer chairs
- Walkers
- Canes
- Rollator walkers
- And more!
Other items are considered on a case-by-case basis.
INFO
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Monroe Food Pantry
Open to Monroe County residents.
Located at our Monroe Office:
15515 S Dixie Hwy
Monroe, MI 48161
Walk-ins welcome!
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
9:00am – 2:00pm
INFO
(734) 682 – 5271
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Nursing Facility Transition Assistance
We are working closely with facilities to help folks who will no longer qualify for Medicaid in nursing facilities.
If you or anyone you know are currently working with a nursing facility in our three-county service area, please share what you know about the NFT program along with our contact information!
INFO
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American Dream Employment Network
The CIL is now a member of the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN). ADEN is a national administrative Employment Network providing services to individuals receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits under the Ticket to Work program. For individuals receiving SSA disability benefits, the return to gainful employment can be complicated and challenging. As a new Member of ADEN, we at The CIL, want to invite all of our current customers/clients who are receiving Social Security disability benefits to explore assigning your Ticket to Work.
To read and hear about success stories of ADEN Participants improving their financial situation, visit:
INFO
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DNR reaches track chair fundraising goal to expand access at more state park beaches and trails
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Michigan now offers more track chairs for public use than any other state parks and recreation system
The effort to make outdoor recreation in Michigan more accessible for everyone continues to gain steam, with the Department of Natural Resources reaching its funding goal of more than $400,000 to purchase track chairs for a growing number of state parks and trails….
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Ann Arbor Rowing Club Inclusive Program
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Everyone is invited to row with us!
The Ann Arbor Rowing Club is a proud affiliate of USRowing’s America Rows program that is designed to promote inclusiveness in the sport of rowing. AARC is committed to making rowing more accessible to all community members and strives to create opportunities for all athletes…
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Michigan Amputee Soccer Camp – March 2nd, 2024
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We are hosting University of Michigan’s second amputee soccer camp on Saturday, March 2 from 4:30-6:30pm! Please fill out this form to RSVP for the event. Crutches will be provided. We are playing on indoor turf fields, but turf shoes are not required.
USAFF was founded in January 2023. Our mission is to bring the incredible game of soccer to people of ALL ages and genders. Through the uniting sport of soccer, ALL can be elevated, empowered, and respected.
We believe in Amputee Soccer 4 ALL!
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Snow Match Program
Lend a hand this winter or get help from your neighbors!
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Snow-covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone.
The goal is to make sidewalks accessible for all ages and abilities. The City of Ann Arbor’s Snow Match Program pairs residents with nearby neighbors who volunteer
to assist them with snow removal on their sidewalks…
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‘24 Craig H. Neilsen Scholarship Application
University of Michigan
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The Neilsen Scholarship provides scholarships to create and maintain opportunities for students with spinal cord injury* to pursue higher education and lead full lives in and out of the classroom.
To reduce socioeconomic barriers to success, these scholarships cover tuition and fees for undergraduate or graduate studies and include supplemental financial support for eligible students. Eligible prospective and current University of Michigan students (Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses) can apply for the Neilsen Scholarship Program.
In-state, out-of-state, and international students are welcome to apply.
*The Neilsen Scholarship Program defines the eligible types of spinal cord injuries students may have to only individuals with neurological and functional impairment due to traumatic SCI, degenerative disease primary to the spinal cord (i.e., transverse myelitis) or damage to the spinal cord due to tumors and surgery. Individuals with spinal dysfunction, paralysis, or pain syndromes caused by other disorders are not eligible (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Chiari Malformation, primary orthopedic disorders, and peripheral nerve injury).
Scholarship recipients could be eligible to receive:
- 100% tuition coverage (in-state students) or 125% of in-state tuition cost coverage (out-of-state students)
- Up to $6K annually for basic costs (e.g. books, technology, transportation) Up to $10K annually for housing support (on or off-campus)
- Up to $15K annually for personal care assistant support
Applications Due
February 9, 2024 @ 11:59PM ET
Please direct any questions related to the application to Erik Robeznieks: erikrob@umich.edu
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The mission of Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston is to empower the lives of people with disabilities and to advocate for a more inclusive community for all.
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