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Disability Digest 
The monthly DISABILITY RIGHTS e-publication
of Disability Network Southwest Michigan
July 2018
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Join Us!
Annual ADA Anniversary Celebration 
Access for All_ ADA 28_ ADA Anniversary Celebration 
 
Join us for our annual community-wide celebration of the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please join us on Friday, July 27 at our Kalamazoo office (517  E. Crosstown Parkway) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a free lunch, presentations and awards ceremony.  
 
Follow this link for more information about our ADA Celebration. 
Disability Advocates Speak Up
On the Plastic Straw Issue
colorful straws 
 
Our own Pam Burpee and Paul Ecklund were interviewed for this Channel 3 piece regarding the current environmental push to eliminate plastic straws. Disability advocates are concerned that some businesses are going to the extreme of eliminating straws altogether which could significantly impact people with disabilities. Follow this link to view the video or read the article regarding the straw debate.  
Broadening the Demographic of Elected Officials
     
 
Elected officials, from your hometown to Washington DC, are the people setting policy and effecting the culture we all live in. Only 2% of Americans have ever run for elected office and the demographic of who those people are is quite narrow. Women, members of the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities are all underrepresented in public office. In this video, Carrie Wade discusses paths to success for nontraditional candidates. 
The First Washington Lobbyist with
Down Syndrome Speaks with Credibility
 
McKeon at work
As the first registered Capitol Hill lobbyist with Down syndrome, Kayla McKeon speaks with powerful credibility when working to change laws that limit career opportunities for people with disabilities.McKeon says she likes sharing her story and experiences to Senate members, "I like telling them about my abilities and how they can help us and pass these laws. It's hard for them to say no to a self-advocate."  Follow this link to read more about her. 
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LUNCHTIME BOOK CLUB + MOVIE
The Fault in Our Stars

At our next Lunchtime Book Club we will be discussing the book AND watching the film The Fault in our Stars by John Green. Join us on Wednesday, August 1, from 12:00 - 2:30 in either our Kalamazoo or St. Joseph office. Everyone is welcome to attend and join in the discussion. 

To RSVP and 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

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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