Michigan
Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC)
MDRC News July
2008
Table of Contents
- Many Faces One Voice
- New Storytelling Classes
- Looking for Advisory Committee Members
- Hearing Loss Association Training
- Housing Funds
- MDRC Board Meetings
- About MDRC News.
Many Faces One Voice
This
project teaches people with disabilities how to tell their stories in a compelling
and accessible manner and to use web in their advocacy efforts.
The videos from the
first class have been posted on our web site! We'll
be featuring a story on our Blog along with a short interview with the
storyteller. We hope you'll take the time to watch these and look forward to
hearing from you. We'd love to hear suggestions on how the storytellers can
use their videos.
New Storytelling Classes
MDRC and UCP MI will be in two locations over the summer. Glenn from UCP MI will be teaching a class in Owosso with the Transportation Advocacy group and Kathryn's helping with one session of the class. Kathryn is teaching a class at SAIL in Marquette to prepare for future classes and for presentation at the Action Day in Marquette on September 16th. MDRC is looking for potential funding sources for more workshops and to develop a "train the trainer." Let us know if you have ideas! Contact Kathryn Wyeth at MDRC ext 335, kdwyeth@prosynergy.org
Looking for Advisory Committee Members
MDRC is looking for people with disabilities and seniors to serve on an advisory committee for a federal grant entitled "State Profile Grant". The intention of this grant it to survey all long-term care (LTC) services and identify gaps, and barriers to quality service in the entire LTC system. It is an opportunity for everyone to gain a deep understanding of this fragmented system, and to prepare themselves to advocate for change. Advisory council members will receive a stipend. Cost of travel, and accommodations (when needed) will be covered. Some overnights might be required. For more information contact: Carolyn Lejuste at MDRC ext 321, clejuste@prosynergy.org
Hear
ing Loss Association Training
MDRC staff member, Kathryn Wyeth, attended a training in Higgins Lake for "Hearing Technology Resource Specialists". The training was to enable these members of the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan to be able to demonstrate new devices: answering machines and alarm clocks for people with hearing loss. The program is part of Michigan's AT Program through a subcontract from MDRC. For more information about Hearing Assistive Demonstrations or contact Kathryn at MDRC ext 335, kdwyeth@prosynergy.org.
Michigan’s Housing and Community Development Fund (MHCDF) and National Housing Trust Fund.
Over 20 years in the making, then formally established in 2004 but not funded,
this Michigan
Housing Trust Fund was funded this year with $2.1 million and
should be funded next year with a total of $4 million. This provides state
funds as seed money for additional affordable housing and community development.
MDRC is
a member of the Living In
Michigan Coalition which supports the MHCDF and
in that partnership is working with the National
Low Income Housing Coalition to convince the US Senate to approve
a bill already approved by the US House which would establish a National
Housing Trust Fund. In all likelihood, any funds established at the national
level would be available to match state funds to enhance the funding of affordable
housing in Michigan. For more information, contact Nelson Grit ngrit@prosynergy.org.
MDRC Governing Board Meetings
Come tell your story to the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition's Governing Board. All meetings are open to the public and we encourage people to attend. All meetings are at 3498 E. Lake Lansing Rd., Ste 100, East Lansing, MI 48823. Upcoming meetings are:
- July 24, 2008 from 4-6 PM
- October 23, 2008 from 4-6 PM.
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition News:
If you have questions about subscribing to this newsletter, send an e-mail message to Kathryn Wyeth mdrc@prosynergy.org or call 1.800.760.4600.
