Newsletter | October 2024
| |
|
|
Peer Group Events
Peer groups provide an organized environment for people to encourage, advocate and educate one another. Peer Group events are being held both in-person and virtually.
| | | |
|
NDEAM National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy encourages businesses and organizations across the country to participate.
Held annually, NDEAM educates about disability employment topics and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Although national in scope, NDEAM’s true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level. Employers of all sizes and in all industries can take part.
For specific ideas about how you can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit dol.gov/NDEAM. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more accessible and equitable workforce, one where all people are recognized for their abilities—every day of every month.
If you would like assistance with a disability education program or making your business or event more accessible and inclusive, contact us at 989-835-4041 or info@dnmm.org.
| |
|
Voter Information Session
With the election not far away, we want to address your rights as a voter with a disability, discuss what’s on the upcoming ballot, and have a chance to try out the accessible voting machine. You can even register to vote at this event! A local County Clerk will join us to answer all your questions. Feel free to bring a friend and spread the word!
Join us on October 2nd from Noon – 1 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 3701 Jefferson Avenue in Midland
or via Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 977 9787 2425
| |
|
Disability Network Mid-Michigan will be a drop-off location for Toys for Tots donations again this year. Spread some holiday joy to the children in our community and help fill the Toys for Tots box with new, unwrapped toys. Collection begins on October 4th and goes through mid-December in the lobby at 1705 S. Saginaw Road in Midland.
If you would like to request a toy this year, simply visit Toys For Tots and enter your state and county.
| |
|
Global Diversity Month
October is Global Diversity Month – a time to celebrate the positive impact that diverse cultures and beliefs can have on a community. It’s also a time to reflect on the obstacles and barriers to diversity and look for ways to overcome them.
This month is a great time to seek out and promote diverse experiences. Try a new cuisine, listen to music from another culture, watch a foreign film or learn a foreign language.
And inclusion is key to the power of diversity. To benefit from a diverse population, we need to support a culture of inclusion where everyone feels respected, included and encouraged to participate in our community. A great way to do this is to look for – and listen to – different perspectives and opinions.
| |
|
October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and this year the theme is mental health at work – to highlight how a safe, healthy working environment can act as a protective factor for mental health.
Unhealthy conditions like stigma, discrimination, and exposure to risks like harassment can affect mental health, overall quality of life, and consequently participation or productivity at work. In fact, depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year.
Share your story, solution or idea on how workplaces can better support mental health.
| |
|
Invisible disability refers to symptoms such as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments. These are not always obvious to others, but can often limit daily activities, range from mild challenges to severe limitations, and vary from person to person.
Unfortunately, people often judge others by what they see and often conclude a person can or cannot do something by the way they look. This can be equally frustrating for those who may appear unable, but are perfectly capable, as well as those who appear able, but are not.
| |
|
|
ADHD Awareness Month
October is also ADHD Awareness Month, which is an invisible disability. Many adults are living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and don’t recognize it because the symptoms are often mistaken for other things, like living a stressful life. Take this self-screener, developed by the World Health Organization to be used as a starting point to help you recognize the signs of Adult AHDD.
| | | |
The bottom line is that everyone with a disability is different, with varying challenges and needs, as well as abilities and attributes. | |
|
Halloween Tips & Safety Information
Halloween can be tough for kids with physical disabilities, sensory issues, or food allergies. They might miss out on trick-or-treating and Halloween parties due to a lack of accommodations. Even finding Halloween costumes can be disheartening for some children with disabilities.
Here are 5 ways to make Halloween inclusive for kids with disabilities:
- If your house has stairs, set up a lawn chair at the bottom of the steps so kids who use wheelchairs can get to you.
- Some kids have feeding tubes, and others may have sensory issues with food or be on a strictly controlled diet. It’s helpful to have a second bucket with non-edible treats like bubbles, Play-Doh, or stickers for them to choose from instead of candy.
- Some kids with disabilities can’t talk or may require extra time to process before they speak or respond. Don’t insist that kids say, “trick or treat,” which would single them out.
- A lot of kids with special needs require extra time to fully participate, so please be patient!
- While you might admire a child who is struggling to walk, try not to single them out for this. It’s fine to tell them they did a great job, but be sure to say something about their costume, their candy bucket or anything that doesn’t have to do with their disability.
Be accepting and don’t jump to conclusions. The girl who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills; the boy who takes forever to pick out a piece of candy might have motor planning issues; the child without a costume might have a sensory issue or autism. Be nice, and patient, and create a healthy, fun and fully inclusive Halloween for everyone to enjoy!
| |
|
October 16th is Disability Mentoring Day – a national effort to promote career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships. It can create life-changing results for mentees and help disprove stereotypes about hiring people with disabilities. Visit this web page to learn more about becoming a mentor or mentee.
DNMM also offers an Employment Readiness program, where we work with youth and adults to prepare them for successful employment. We partner with schools and vocational rehabilitation services to tailor services that support individuals to meet their employment goals.
Employment is a means to self-sufficiency and a key to living independently. These services include barrier assessments, benefits planning, employment skills like interviewing, building a resume, work etiquette, and more. Most services can be customized to the individual’s needs to support them on their road to employment.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (PRE-ETS) address the following:
- Self-Advocacy
- Work-Based Learning
- Workplace Readiness
- Job Exploration and Counseling
- Post Secondary Education Counseling
If you’d like information about our employment programs, contact us at 989-835-4041 or info@dnmm.org.
| |
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.
| |
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 that 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.
| | | | |
