Michigan
Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC)
October 2010
Table
of Contents
- Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice
- small changes, Big Differences
- Including Our Neighbors
- Make a Difference - Sign Up for Action Alerts
- Welcome to New Board Members
- MDRC Board Meetings
- About MDRC News.
Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice
In August, MDRC's Center for Community Leadership (CCL) held "Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice" - an event for high school girls with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 19. During the weekend, participants explored what it means to be a teen girl with a disability in today's world using interactive and art-based activities. Detroit Artist BriAnne Hoffman assisted in facilitating the art activities. The girls and young women challenged stereotypes and shattered myths about what it means to be a girl with a disability. MDRC received several thank you letters from parents about the positive, life changing experiences their daughters had at the event.
CCL received more applications for this event than they could accommodate and hope to hold another "Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice" event next year. MDRC staff presented at the inaugural Grand Rapids 100 Women Who Care and won that day's competition with each of the twenty women present writing a $100 check to go towards a future "Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice" event. For more information, please contact Melinda Haus Johnson or Theresa Squires at MDRC.
MDRC Advocates for Housing
MDRC and the Michigan Disability Housing Work Group were featured in the National Low-Income Housing Coalition's "From the Field" report in its weekly "Memo to Members" publication in early September. 
The article focused on MDRC's involvement in the efforts made by the work group to influence Michigan's 2011 Qualified Allocation Plan, which determines the allocation of tax credits used to create affordable housing. For more information, please contact Salli Christenson at MDRC.
MDRC's Housing Coordinator, Nelson Grit has retired from MDRC. Staff members honored and thanked Nelson for his dedication and hard work at a retirement lunch in August.
small changes, Big Differences
MDRC staff are presenting "small changes, Big Differences" assistive technology (AT) for community living this fall and winter at senior centers, conferences, and support groups in Grand Haven, Alpena, Cheboygan, Traverse City, Port Huron, Three Rivers and Clinton. Michigan's Assistive Technology Program at MDRC also works with four Centers for Independent Living in the state to offer training and demonstrations of devices for "small changes, Big Differences". For more information, please contact Aimee Sterk at MDRC.
Including Our Neighbors
MDRC staff members are hosting a day-long training about the Including Our Neighbors project this November in Grand Rapids. At the training session, people will learn about the project and how to apply for grants of up to $15,000 to create inclusive community programs. For more information, please contact Paul Miller at MDRC.
Make a Difference - Sign Up for Action Alerts
When you sign up for MDRC alerts, we'll email you when issues arise and give you the information you need to take action on issues important to Michigan's disability community. Don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard! Sign up for Action Alerts.
Welcome to New Board Members
MDRC welcomes new board members, Tari Muniz, Yuself Seegar and Darlene Walker. Tari works as an advocate for long-term care reform. She has been central to introducing Self-Determination choices to the MIChoice Waiver Program. Yuself is an advocate with Disability Network Wayne County. He is working with Michigan’s Developmental Disabilities Council to establish a Peer Support Network for people with developmental disabilities. Darlene is a parent of teen-age children with emotional disabilities. A member of her local RICC, Darlene is a grassroots leader working to improve transportation in Shiawassee county.
MDRC Governing Board Meetings
Come and 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:
MDRC's office
3498 E. Lake Lansing Rd., Ste
100
East Lansing, MI 48823.
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition News:
If you have questions about subscribing to this newsletter, send an e-mail message to mdrc@prosynergy.org or call 1.800.760.4600.