Michigan
Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC)
MDRC News November
2007
Table of Contents:
- Assistive Technology and Long Term Care
- Leadership Opportunity
- Assistive Technology Advisory Committee
- Welcome New MDRC Board Members!
- Support MDRC
- About MDRC News.
Assistive Technology and Long Term Care
MDRC is expanding "small changes, Big Differences ", a program to increase awareness of assistive technology that helps people live successfully in the community—community-based long-term care. With "small changes, Big Differences ", MDRC will be partnering with local centers for independent living to educate staff at single points of entry and other organizations serving people with disabilities and seniors around the state. Trainings are planned in November in partnerships with Disability Advocates of Kent County and Disability Resource Center of Southwest Michigan. For more information, please contact Aimee Sterk aimee@prosynergy.org.
Exciting Leadership Opportunity!
Building Alliances for Disability Leadership (BAD-L) is looking for mentors and young leaders between ages 20-35 living in Genesee and Ingham counties to be part of a leadership development program. We will accept 5 young leaders and 5 mentors from each site into this program. Please help distribute the call for applicants to your contacts in the Flint and Lansing areas. Young adult leaders will receive a $50/month stipend for participation in the project. Mentors will be given a $200 honorarium upon completion of the project. The application deadline has been extended to December 1, 2008. Please contact Melinda Haus 1-866-532-2669 or melinda@prosynergy.org for copies of the applications and more information!
Assistive Technology Advisory Committee
The committee met on November 7th. The committee is made up of a majority of people with disabilities who use AT and representatives from the Departments of Labor: Work Force Development Boards, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Commission for Blind; the Centers for Independent Living and Department of Education. This will be a busy year as we calculate our baseline data and set goals for the year for the first time using the new data collection instructions. FY 2008 is the 3rd year of Michigan's first State Plan for Assistive Technology. Our second three year state will be developed this year. The Tech Act is authorized through 2010.
Welcome New MDRC Board Members!
We welcome new board members: Geraldine Taeckens – Sault St. Marie; Terri Cady – Sanford; Holly Ridenhour – Snook – Grand Ledge; Amy Maes – Marquette; Sarah Slocum – Lansing; and Chaya Gieszer-Henkel – Kalamazoo. These five talented people join board members: Barbara Barton, Ph.D. – Kalamazoo; Ellen Weaver – Holt; Al Swain – Lansing; John Victory – Plymouth; Paul Wright – East Lansing; Marcie Boehm – Troy; and Nathan Soloman – Holt. We are privileged to have a board with a rich collection of talents and commitment to the mission of Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
Support MDRC!
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is celebrating 25 years of advocacy in the disability community. We are establishing a permanent endowment fund in honor and memory of our friend and colleague, Jim Francis-Bohr. This fund will firmly establish MDRC’s ability to continue our advocacy work and fund Jim’s vision. We will use this lasting endowment for advocacy on long-term care policy issues and other issues important to expanding choice in Michigan’s disability community. For more information and to donate, please visit http://www.copower.org/mdrc/support.htm!
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition News:
There's strength in numbers! Be a part of a statewide coalition of People with disabilities and join MDRC today.
If you have questions about subscribing to this newsletter, send an e-mail message to Kathryn Wyeth kdwyeth@prosynergy.org or call 1.800.760.4600, ext. 335.
