OVER 30 YEARS OF PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE
PREVENTION MONTH:
DNMM staff put together this photo collage, sharing a message of hope in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month.
The quote is from The Hill We Climb by Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.
"The new dawn blooms as we free it,
For there is always light;
If only we're brave enough to see it,
If only we're brave enough to be it."
DNMM invites you to join us in wearing blue each Monday in April and by placing a blue pinwheel in your yard as a reminder that all children deserve a happy and safe childhood.
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JOIN US FOR A DISCUSSION:
"Children's Therapeutic Foster Care & The Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver"
Do you have questions about resources to support youth with mental health needs in your home?
Are you a parent, guardian or caregiver of someone in need of psychiatric supports?
Are you interested in becoming a foster care provider?
DNMM will be hosting an expert from Community Mental Health to discuss the Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver & Children's Therapeutic Foster Care. And we hope you'll join us.
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The Autism Society of America, along with leading disability organizations across the country, recently announced that it is formally shifting references of "Autism Awareness Month" to "Autism Acceptance Month" and is calling on the media to reflect this in their ongoing coverage.
April has widely been known as "Autism Awareness Month" in the United States as a way to empower autistic individuals and their families. Today, the autism community is calling on all media outlets to shift their language to match the growing need for acceptance within the community in preparation for any news coverage in the weeks ahead.
The shift in the use of terminology aims to foster acceptance to ignite change through improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care and comprehensive long-term services.
"While we will always work to spread awareness, words matter as we strive for autistic individuals to live fully in all areas of life," says Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. "As many individuals and families affected by autism know, acceptance is often one of the biggest barriers to finding and developing a strong support system."
Autism community advocates across the country have a long-standing history of using the term "acceptance" as a means of more fully integrating those 1 in every 54 Americans living with autism into our social fabric. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has been framing April as Autism Acceptance Month since 2011, stating "Acceptance of autism as a natural condition in the human experience is necessary for real dialogue to occur."
Other groups that have been using 'acceptance' through the month of April include the Administration for Community Living, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network, Easter Seals, First Place AZ, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and The Arc.
There has never been a formal designation for the month, regardless of terminology. Therefore, as part of this shift, the Autism Society of America is leading a significant effort for the federal government to officially designate April as "Autism Acceptance Month."
This will coincide with their campaign to #CelebrateDifferences, which encourages individuals with autism and their families to live full, quality lives through connection and acceptance.
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Special Wednesday Events:
April 7th - 12-1pm
"Prepare to Advocate" - Tell Your Story
April 21st - 12-1pm
"Simon Says" Come play the classic game!
April 14th and 28th - 12-1pm
"Healthy Communication!"
Learn together to communicate over email, text and in person in a better way. Share your experiences with everyone.
April 15th - 7:00 - 8:30pm
It's a virtual Spring Fling dance...sign up today!
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Come out and get your groove on! Meet up with friends virtually for some dancing and socializing!
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Mondays - 11:00am
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Tuesdays - 11:30am
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Tuesdays - 3:00pm
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Wednesdays - 3:00pm
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Matinees - Monday & Friday
1:00 - 3:00pm
April selections include: Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder, Luca, and Riding the Bus With My Sister. Mondays will be devoted to series that the peers select.
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Thursdays - 2:00pm
April Activities include: Virtual Demo on making Chocolate Chip cookies, Virtual Tour on Chocolate (how it's made and where it's from, and Karaoke Day. |
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COVID RELIEF PROGRAM
FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING NEEDS
Do you know someone with a disability who lost a job due to COVID-19 closures and is struggling to make ends meet?
Is someone with a disability feeling isolated due to a lack of access to technology and/or the internet?
Is someone with a disability experiencing poor health due to lack of food or access to telehealth visits?
Is someone at risk of going to a nursing facility or is someone currently in a nursing facility needing assistance to go back home?
Does someone with a disability need safe, accessible, and affordable transportation to a COVID-19 testing or vaccination site?
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan has received funding to assist individuals with disabilities facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is designed to assist with life-sustaining, emergency relief in the form of food and utility assistance, assistive technology to prevent social isolation, or help with rent payments.
For more information, contact our Information and Referral Department. 1-800-782-4160.
Funding is limited and requests are considered on case-by-case basis.
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APRIL 11 - WORLD PARKINSON'S DAY
April 11 is World Parkinson's Day, and a moment in time to come together to raise awareness and advance research toward better therapies and a cure for Parkinson's disease.
Right now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to make real strides toward our shared goal. In fact, there are many ways you can make a difference and form meaningful connections without leaving home:
While this World Parkinson's Day looks different, it's clear that action we take today to lift each other up, exchange ideas and stay engaged will work to our advantage when it comes to ending Parkinson's for good.
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WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR MEDICARE/MEDICAID QUESTIONS
Do you need extra help paying for your Medicare Part D prescription plan?
Call us to see if you are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. We can help you with screening questions and do the application over the phone in as little as 15 minutes!
Do you need help paying your Medicare premiums?
Call us today to see if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. We can assist you with checking your eligibility and doing the application over the phone.
Did you know that there are many preventative health and screening services included with your Medicare coverage?
Some of the things you may be eligible for include:
Screening:
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Lung cancer
- Prostate Cancer
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- Nutrition Therapy
- Glaucoma
- Mammograms
- Tobacco Use cessation counseling
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These are just some of the many services you could access. Call today for more information and a full list of preventative health benefits! CALL US TODAY! WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!
1-800-782-4160
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Greater Midland Community Centers, in partnership with AARP, is offering the Tax Assistance Program for 2021. Even though it will look a little different this year, this is an important opportunity for those that qualify and need tax assistance.
The program is primarily for seniors (age 55 and over) with low to moderate income and those with disabilities.
Services will be offered on Thursdays and Fridays through April 9th. Free tax preparation is provided in the Barstow Shipps Wing of the Midland Community Center from 8:00 am to 4pm. Qualified people can begin calling the Community Center at 832-7937, then press 6 or email [email protected] for their initial tax client appointment. Tax preparation will be virtual and social distancing will be enforced.
SAGINAW TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is offered at the following locations:
Frankenmuth Credit Union, 544 N. Main St., Frankenmuth. Call 211 for dates and times.
United Way of Saginaw County, 100 S. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw. Call direct to schedule appointment (989-326-5290).
BAY COUTY TAX ASSISTANCE
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is a FREE income tax return assistance program available to those in the ALICE population or below, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities or retired veterans. The program has been provided by United Way of Bay County for over 12 years and has proven to bring money back to the residents of Bay County through millions of dollars in tax credits and refunds. For information, please call 989.893.7508.
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At Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, inclusion is a universal human right for all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other discernible quality. To be inclusive is to promote a sense of belonging, respect, and value for who you are as a person. It is about equal access and opportunities for everyone. Inclusion is an integral part of our Independent Living philosophy and of our agency's vision of "Accessible and Inclusive communities that provide opportunities for individual choice."
In the twelve counties we serve in Mid-Michigan, Disability Network offices have been, and continue to be, places of solace, understanding, and information for all. We are committed to promoting and protecting diversity and inclusion, within our offices, among our community partners, and throughout the 15 Centers for Independent Living in Michigan.
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DNMM advocates for the removal of barriers to independence and full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Mid-Michigan area. DNMM pledges to ensure accessibility. Each year, DNMM conducts a review of its own architectural, environmental, attitudinal, employment, communication, transportation, and other barriers that may exist which prohibit full access to our services.
If you have any issues of concern regarding the accessibility of DNMM services and facilities, we encourage you to share that information with us.
Please send your concerns or suggestions to:
Executive Director
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan
1705 S. Saginaw Road
Midland, MI 48640
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