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E-Newsletter
December 2022
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Creating Accessible and
Inclusive Communities
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FEATHERS AND FEDORAS IS BACK!
JOIN US FEBRUARY 11
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The party of the year is back! Feathers and Fedoras is a Roaring Twenties gala evening of dining, dancing, casino-gaming, and live and silent auctions.
Break out your black silk fedora or your best flapper dress and get ready to Foxtrot the night away!
Find Lady Luck at the casino tables, dance to the rhythm of Stone Street Revival, bid on exciting auction items, enjoy delicious food, and hit the speakeasy for champagne and gigglewaters!
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Saturday, February 11, 2023
DoubleTree Hotel - Bay City
5:30 - 10:00pm
Tickets are just $50 per person. All patrons receive one drink ticket for beer or wine. Heavy hors d'oeuvres stations are also featured throughout the venue.
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If your business would like to sponsor the event or if you need additional information, please contact Matthew Ivan at 989-430-6105. | |
*Casino tables are for entertainment purposes only and are free and open to the public. No prizes, cash or otherwise, awarded based upon play.* | |
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This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation. The objectives of the Foundation are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to improving communities in the future.
DNMM is an official drop-off location for Toys For Tots. We are collecting new, unwrapped toys at our Midland location until Wednesday, December 7th. Our Midland office is located at 1705 S. Saginaw Road. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm.
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SENSORY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY CONCERT | |
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DEC 17, 2022 / 3 PM
Guest Artist: Ali Ewoldt
Broadway star, Ali Ewoldt, hosts this annual Midland Center tradition. Ali made her Broadway debut as Cosette in the first Broadway revival of LES MISÉRABLES, and has since starred as Christine in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway, as well as Maria on tour in WEST SIDE STORY. Ali’s powerful voice will be joined by the Choirs of the Center singing all of your favorite seasonal tunes, backed by your own Midland Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss this signature event of the Great Lakes Bay region’s holiday season!
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What is a Relaxed Performance?
Relaxed performances feature the same content and performers as other performances of a show, with some simple changes to the environment, including:
- Lower light and sound levels, with special effects like strobe lights and smoke removed
- House lights kept at a low level to allow movement around the auditorium
- House doors are kept open; audience members are welcome to stand, move around, and leave as need be
- Audience members are welcome to bring their own manipulatives, seat cushions, comfort objects, headphones, electronics, special snacks, and other support items to the show.
- A designated Take-A-Break Space available with quiet activities near the theater
- Trained volunteers on hand
- A Social Story that portrays the theatre-going experience with pictures and text
- A scene-by-scene summary of the plot of the show or a playlist of the concert repertoire
- The performance is a shush-free zone - audience members can talk quietly or express themselves freely during the performance
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FEELING SAD?
DECEMBER IS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AWARENESS MONTH
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Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is more than just those winter blues or a seasonal “funk.” SAD is a very real type of depression that is most commonly associated with the fall and winter months.
Symptoms of SAD can include:
- low energy
- depressed mood
- hopelessness
- irritability or anxiety
- poor concentration
- social withdrawal
- changes in sleep and/or appetite
- loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
What can you do about it?
- Structure. Go to bed at a regular time, and get enough rest. Give focus to eating healthy meals on a regular schedule.
- Make your environment brighter when you can. Open blinds, and sit closer to bright windows.
- Get outside. Go for a walk, take your lunch outside, take short breaks throughout your day and enjoy the sunshine.
- Exercise. A regular exercise routine can help with stress relief, and being more fit can help to increase self esteem. Plus, exercise increases levels in your brain of the same chemicals used in anti-depressant medications!
- Socialize. Connect with the people you enjoy being around.
- Take a trip. Make an effort to plan for vacations during the winter months when possible.
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A couple things to remember:
- We all have tough days and times when life presents us with an increase in overall stress. It’s ok to have a bad day. However, SAD is a type of depression, and if your symptoms do not improve, or even worsen, it may be time to seek professional support.
- Treatment options can include psychotherapy, medications, and even light box therapy.
- Luckily, recovery from any diagnosable mental illness has high success rates, with 70-90% recovery rates when we seek treatment.
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SUPPORT DISABILITY NETWORK! | |
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As we attend community events, people often approach our staff and ask how they can help. The best way to help is be an advocate. Talk to your friends and family about person-first language. Talk with government officials about ways to make our communities accessible. Talk with employers about hiring people with disabilities and the values of an inclusive workforce.
But you can also help DNMM directly and there are a number of ways to do so. You can always donate money directly by visiting our website or you can text "dnmm" to 56651. But did you know you can support Disability Network while shopping for groceries or when buying Christmas presents?
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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
This program makes it easy to support DNMM based on the shopping you do every day. Once you link your Kroger Card to our organization, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card and a portion of your purchase at the checkout counter will be donated to DNMM - at no additional cost to you!
Here’s how it works:
A digital account is needed to participate in Kroger Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose.
2. Link your Card to Disability Network of Mid-Michigan.
Selecting the organization that you wish to support is as simple as updating the Kroger Community Rewards selection on your digital account.
1. Sign in to your digital account.
2. Enter "Disability Network of Mid-Michigan or our NPO number - PR812
3. Click “Save”.
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AMAZON SMILE
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
All you have to do is logon to smile.amazon.com and then search for "Disability Network of Mid-Michigan" as the charity you want to support.
When you shop, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Disability Network of Mid-Michigan.
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DECEMBER HOLIDAY SAFETY
This festive time of year finds many of our homes decorated, inside and out, with symbols of the season. From lighted trees to candle displays, and from strands of garland to lighted porcelain figurines. While many of these may seem all-too-familiar, many may not realize the potential hazards such decorations can create.
More than 16,000 injuries involving holiday decorating resulted in emergency room visits in 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 230 home fires each season involving Christmas trees.
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Here is a good checklist to follow to ensure your family's safety during the holiday season:
- If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
- If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry
- Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways
- Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them
- Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
- Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
- Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
- Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house
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CARF SURVEYORS COMING TO DNMM | |
From January 18-20, a survey team from CARF International will be visiting the offices of Disability Network of Mid-Michigan. We invited the surveyors to evaluate how well we meet international standards for quality. The survey will tell us what we are doing well and areas we might improve. As a result of this survey, DNMM may earn or continue to be an accredited rehabilitation facility.
As part of the survey, the surveyors will interview people who receive services, their families, our staff, and others. Some questions the survey team ask participants include:
- Does DNMM provide a clean and safe setting?
- Do you receive the services you need and want?
- Are you treated with respect?
- Do you take part in planning your services?
- Are you told what you need to know about your services?
- Are your questions answered in a way you understand?
- Do you know where to go with questions or concerns?
If you would like to talk with one of the survey team members please contact someone at DNMM (989-835-4041). You can also contact CARF directly at:
Internet: www.carf.org/contact-us
Email: feedback@carf.org
Phone: 866-510-2273
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STATEMENT OF INCLUSION
Inclusion is a universal human right for all people, regardless of race, age, 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.
DNMM 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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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
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.
Please click here to contact us.
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DISABILITY NETWORK OF MID-MICHIGAN
989-835-4041 | dnmm.org
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