The monthly DISABILITY RIGHTS e-publication of Disability Network Southwest Michigan
January 2018
Ed Roberts Day is January 23
"We are no longer asking for charity.
We are demanding our rights!?"
Ed Roberts is often referred to as the Father of the Independent Living Movement. Join us at our Rise Up! workshop in January to learn more about him and other leaders in the movement.
A Disabled, Biracial, and Totally Normal Family
Open link & click video to play.
Rebecca Cokley is a white little person. Her husband Patrick is African-American and vision-impaired. Together, they have a loving family. What is it like for them to raise a family with disabilities? Normal! CNN produced this short video in which a biracial couple with disabilities talk about raising their children with knowledge and pride.
The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About
People with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. It's a crime that often goes unrecognized and unpunished. They are Americans who are exceptionally vulnerable, yet their experience has rarely been discussed. After a year of investigative reporting, NPR has produced a series that uncovers this sexual assault epidemic that no one talks about. Follow this link to their series "Abused and Betrayed" -- click the "Listen" buttons or click the titles for text versions of the articles.
A Journey to Embracing Disability Identity
For years, Susan Reynolds hid her disability, now she says the thing she is most proud of is being a disabled woman. Looking back, she says she didn't see disability advocacy the way it deserved to be seen; she feels like she failed the disability community by remaining silent when she could have spoken up. Follow this link to the Rooted in Rights article, "
A Journey to Rejecting Ableism & Embracing Disability Identity."
LUNCH & LEARN
Rise Up! Disability Resistance, History & Pride
Join us for a
free lunch with discussion and activities that promote knowledge of disability history and support the journey to disability pride. This event will take place in both Kalamazoo & St. Joseph -- please RSVP for the date and location that works best for you.
In St. Joseph: Monday January 22
In Kalamazoo: Tuesday January 23
Visit our website for more information and to RSVP for the
Rise Up! workshop.
LUNCHTIME BOOK CLUB
The Ballad of Blind Tom
Join us for the next Lunchtime Book Club on Wednesday,
February 7, in either our
Kalamazoo or
St. Joseph office. Everyone is welcome to attend and join in the discussion. We will provide a light lunch and discuss the book
The Ballad of Blind Tom by Deirdre O'Connell.
To RSVP and for more information about Disability Network Southwest Michigan's Book Club, visit the
Book Club page of our website.
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.
