June 2022

Awareness Month & Days

Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

Migraine & Headache Awareness Month

PTSD Awareness Month 

June 11th - Neuropathy Action Awareness

June 19th - Juneteenth -dC office closed in recognition on 6/20

June 21st - Global Day of Recognition of ALS

June 21-24 Helen Keller Deaf Blind Awareness

June 27th - National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Day

June 27th - Helen Keller Day

Summer is Almost Here & Things are Heating up at dC

We are close to opening our second office. We will now have the Jackson office off of Linden Ave, but also have an office in Adrian on the top floor inside the Human Services building. The first ramp build was completed after the first planned day was rained out, but the volunteers came together again to assist a community member in need. Staff continue providing services as safely and effectively as they can. The Loan Closet, as noted below, has updated hours. Summer youth programs, also noted below, are ready for applicants. Planning is well underway for The Inclusion Event - The Art of Inclusion in a hybrid in person/virtual format for Oct 13th with Lizzie Acker, streaming all the way from the UK!

disAbility Connections Seeks Donations with "Ramp It Up!" Fundraiser

Ramps provide freedom. Freedom to work, gather with friends and family, participate in social and recreational activities, and support local businesses and community events. Every year, disAbility Connections partners with local organizations to help build ramps on qualifying individuals’ homes. Because of limited funding, we aren’t able to provide ramps to all people in need. We need your help to raise money, so we can raise more ramps! 

Join the Ramp It Up fundraiser. Make a difference on your own or create a “fundraising team”. Along with raising money you can spread awareness of this need in our community. YOU can help create the freedom and access to homes that improve the quality of life for people in need.

 Sign up or donate using the following link.

Loan Closet Changes

Beginning June 6th the Loan Closet will be using different hours.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday OPEN 9-4

Tuesday & Thursday CLOSED

 We are also only taking the following donations at this time:

*Manual Wheelchairs  *Power Wheelchairs *Transport Wheelchairs 

*Power Scooters *CPAP (less than 3 years old)

*Liners  *Blue Pads *Pull-Up Briefs *Nutritional Drink(s)

Youth Leadership Advocacy Academy

disAbility Connections is preparing for our Youth Leadership/Advocacy Academy (YLAA) this summer. High school aged students with disabilities are eligible participate in the 8 week long academy. The program will start June 20^th and end on August 17^th with the 4^thof July week off. This will be in person at our Jackson office, with all the safety protocols for Covid.  

Participants meet once a week for a 1-hour session 11am-12pm. The first 5 weeks will focus on the general curriculum and the last three weeks will be spent on planning/researching their systems advocacy project.  Students will also engage in a cooking lesson during each session.

Students attending YLAA have the opportunity to grow their personal pride through disability history and pride, increase personal and community leadership skills, and increase personal advocacy and systems advocacy skills. 

Interested students can contact Travis Barnett via email travis@disabilityconnect.org or cell phone 517-474-2927.

Tooling Program & Makerspace

Have a student that loves to create, tinker, or trying to bring ideas to form? Heard of Jackson Makerspace? Makerspace is an organization and facility for tinkerers, creator, inventors, artists and crafters wanting to create, learn and share. We offer a unique FREE program providing a select number of students with an IEP an opportunity to gain experience in tools of the trades.  Course completion will provide a certification or recognition of acquisition of skills in several tooling areas that will help the student obtain employment in trades.

Students will need to arrange their own transportation to and from programming at disAbility Connections and Makerspace.  All participants complete a 4-6 session "boot camp" on-site at disAbility Connections before they gain experience at Makerspace. 

The student will get a free membership to Makerspace for approximately 6 months while enrolled in the program. All sessions for the boot camp and Makerspace are approximately 1 hour in length.  There is an on-site supervisor and students will be required to wear masks and practice COVID safety.

Interested students can contact Jon Hart via email

jon@disabilityconnect.org or cell phone 517-392-2942.

Start Summer by Exploring

Trails are a great way to get out and explore. There are trails of various lengths, surfaces, and scenery which provides a little something for everyone! These options open possibilities of biking, strolling, running, wheeling, or anything your heart desires. Sites such as www.traillink.com which provides info on trails across America regarding the trail length, what the trail is made of (concrete, dirt, woodchips, etc.), and an address to start the trail. Or the DNR has put together some resources with accessibility as the focal point with their website https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_79782---,00.html. They provide links with accessible locations for fishing, hunting, camping, lodges/cabins, trails and scenic sites, and beaches. While the majority of these places are not fully accessible, they offer accessibility options to people. Some places even have free off-road chairs to offer people with disabilities to use and explore.

Scam Likely

      Ever get a call from a number you don’t know or a name you don’t recognize? Beware of these “random” calls, it could be a scam seeking to string you along and take your money. Scammers take advantage of emotions and popular topics. Especially around times when people may be getting money, such as tax returns or around holidays. Plus they have the ability to do homework and find information about you through the internet. 

Simple steps you can take to protect yourself from phone scams.

•  Don’t know the caller, don’t answer the call. If it is important they will leave a voicemail. They even have the ability to make it look like a local call. Don’t Know – Don’t Answer
•   Never share your passwords or personal information with someone you don't know or weren't expecting to call.
• Don't act in the moment. Scammers may pressure you to send money or information while on the phone with them.
• If it sounds too good to be true...it probably is not real. Sorry, you didn't win the lottery or have a royal family member in another country die and leave you their fortune.
• Create a family code word. If someone calls saying they have a relative and need money, ask for the code word you all agreed upon.