February 2017 - Disability Digest

Disability Digest

The monthly DISABILITY RIGHTS e-publication
of Disability Network Southwest Michigan

February 2017

No One Can Speak on Behalf of Everyone

overhead view of people standing in formation of a megaphone

In this Rooted in Rights article Burgandi Rakoska asks, "Why is it that so many people look at a single person from a minority group and automatically assume that they represent the group as a whole?" We all want to feel like we have the power to be a voice for others, but the truth is that we each only have one voice . She half-jokingly says, "I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that it is impossible to speak on behalf of everyone." Follow this link to read the article Disability & Tokenism.

What "Walkies" Say to Wheelchair-Users

Amy Robertson created this tongue-in-cheek animation with robotic voices to emphasis the ridiculous things "walkies" say to wheelchair users.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Joyce Jackson: Black, Disabled & Phenomenal

Joyce Jackson was a significant force when the Independent Living Movement was developed. Jackson was part of a 1977 disability rights sit-in in San Francisco led by Judy Heumann which lasted nearly a month. She was one of 20 activists sent to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Carter administration. Later, Jackson served three terms on the national board of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. Follow this link to learn more about Joyce Jackson on Ramp Your Voice's website.

Pushing for Community-Based Services

The disability community has a lot at stake in the conversation about health care in the United States. That's one reason some people with disabilities are pushing Congress to pass the Disability Integration Act (DIA), a law that would secure the right to community-based services for people with disabilities and provide a mechanism for enforcement to keep them out of institutions. The provision of home and community-based services can allow people to live independently or semi-independently as equal citizens. Follow this link to read Rewire's article Pushing for the Right to Community-Based Services.

Movie + Lunch + Discussion Series Planned

Our Advocacy & Community Education team has scheduled a series of Movie, Lunch and Discussion events. Each event will take place at both our Kalamazoo and St. Joseph offices.

February 27: Temple Grandin
March 27: Regarding Henry
April 24: The King's Speech

Follow this link for details about our Movie + Lunch + Discussion series.

Lunchtime Book Club

At the March Lunchtime Book Club meeting we will enjoy a light lunch and discuss the book Trigger by Susan Vaught.

Jersey Hatch can't remember why he tried to kill himself. Coming out of rehab for the first time in a year, Jersey must piece his life back together, step by painful step. An eye-opening story that expertly navigates the triumph of family, the depths of despair, and the humor of the most mundane details of life.

Everyone is welcome to join in the discussion! The Lunchtime Book Club will meet on Wednesday, March 1, in both our Kalamazoo and St. Joseph offices. For more information about Disability Network Southwest Michigan's Book Club, visit the Book Club page of our website.

Disability Network Southwest Michigan

Kalamazoo Office	St. Joseph Office
517 E. Crosstown Parkway	2900 Lakeview Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49001	St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 345-1516	(269) 985-0111

www.dnswm.org

You can help support the Disability Rights Movement in Southwest Michigan with a tax-deductible donation to Disability Network.
Visit our website to donate on-line.

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