Michigan
Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC)
Cookie Gant
Leadership Development Fund
Criteria for the fund:
Activities must:
- Further Michigan Disability Rights Coalition's mission and vision.
- MDRC Vision: MDRC works to build opportunities for people with disabilities so they may live fully integrated lives within their chosen communities, now and in the future. Full citizenship is the expected role that people with disabilities will play, and their hopes and dreams parallel those of citizens without disabilities.
- MDRC Mission: MDRC is a state-wide network of individuals and organizations that advances the issues of Michigan's disability community through grassroots activism, public education and advocacy.
- Be consistent with MDRC values including: "Nothing about me,
without me."
- Participation: The essence of American citizenship is the right of free participation in all that affects the community interest.
- Customer Driven: The best use of resources available for supports is the free choice of what is needed by the customer. Forcing people to receive services that are not needed, because of bureaucratic requirements, teaches people that they are dependent and that they must "game" the system to get what they need. The best way to assure efficient use of supports is to focus on the use of supports for full citizenship, instead of trying to build bullet-proof entitlements.
We encourage individuals who meet all the following criteria to apply:
- Person with a disability.
Individuals who are elders who have disability characteristics but do not consider themselves to be people with disabilities will also be considered. Parents of children with disabilities are also considered. We encourage individuals not supported by agency funds (i.e. employed by an advocacy organization). - Michigan Resident.
- Person who will Give Back:
Individuals must commit to use their gained knowledge through being involved in a significant way in systems change initiatives in Michigan. Currently, the major funding sources for this fund center on Long Term Care Reform in Michigan.
General Selection Criteria:
- Prior Approval:
All conferences/trainings must be approved before the event. We strongly advise the application be received at least one month in advance. - Single activities:
One class/training will be approved at a time. - Other funding sources:
In order to avoid supplanting other potential funding, the applicant may be referred to other funding sources. For example, the applicant may be referred to Michigan Rehabilitation Services for career building training. - Funds are limited.
There is no guarantee of funding. This fund may not always cover the entire associated costs in order to provide opportunities to as many people as possible.
Download the Criteria:
You can also download the criteria as a microsoft word file on your computer. You can then either read it on your computer or print out the document to read. This is a link to the microsoft word version of the criteria.
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