A PLACE TO CALL HOME

The road of life is often filled with unexpected turns. Sometimes those turns lead to less than desirable locations. Such was the case for Shirley. She had a home, a long-time boyfriend, and things were going well. Unfortunately, the relationship ended and Shirley found herself homeless with nowhere to go.

Shirley ended up in a nursing facility. As the months passed, she became increasingly frustrated and desperate.

"When Heather from Disability Network reached out to me, it was like someone finally turned on the lights again," said Shirley.

Heather worked to secure affordable housing for Shirley and helped procure furnishings and food to help her get started on this new journey. After half a year in a nursing facility, Shirley moved into her new apartment on March 17th.

"Everything is going great," she said. "I love my new place. I love that it's mine and I love not having to share a room with someone else. I love being able to do what I want when I want to do it. When I was in the nursing home, I wasn't sure I'd ever get to enjoy those kinds of things again. But now, anything and everything is possible."

At left is the room Shirley shared with another resident at the nursing facility. At right is Shirley enjoying her new recliner in her apartment living room.

HOMEBOUND COVID-19 VACCINATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM

If you are a person with a disability or medical condition that prevents you from going to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, you can receive the vaccination and boosters in your own home.

WHAT CAN DNMM DO FOR YOU?

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan staff can:

• Coordinate/Schedule In-Home Vaccinations
• Arrange for or provide transportation to vaccine clinics
• Provide support by accompanying you to appointments

This program is FREE of charge.

For those requesting an in-home vaccination, a nurse and a medical professional will administer the vaccine and assist with scheduling the second dose and a booster where needed.

SCHEDULE YOUR VACCINATION TODAY!

989-835-4041 ext. 237

The Autism Society of America, along with leading disability organizations across the country, recently announced that it is formally shifting references of “Autism Awareness Month” to “Autism Acceptance Month” and is calling on the media to reflect this in their ongoing coverage.

April has widely been known as “Autism Awareness Month” in the United States as a way to empower autistic individuals and their families. Today, the autism community is calling on all media outlets to shift their language to match the growing need for acceptance within the community in preparation for any news coverage in the weeks ahead.

The shift in the use of terminology aims to foster acceptance to ignite change through improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care and comprehensive long-term services.

“While we will always work to spread awareness, words matter as we strive for autistic individuals to live fully in all areas of life,” says Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “As many individuals and families affected by autism know, acceptance is often one of the biggest barriers to finding and developing a strong support system.”

Autism community advocates across the country have a long-standing history of using the term “acceptance” as a means of more fully integrating those 1 in every 54 Americans living with autism into our social fabric. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has been framing April as Autism Acceptance Month since 2011, stating “Acceptance of autism as a natural condition in the human experience is necessary for real dialogue to occur.”

Other groups that have been using ‘acceptance’ through the month of April include the Administration for Community Living, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network, Easter Seals, First Place AZ, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and The ARC.

There has never been a formal designation for the month, regardless of terminology. Therefore, as part of this shift, the Autism Society of America is leading a significant effort for the federal government to officially designate April as “Autism Acceptance Month.”

SUPPORT DNMM DURING GIVE LOCAL MIDLAND

Give Local Midland is a 24-hour online giving campaign for local nonprofit endowment funds. The Midland Area Community Foundation is raising money and awareness for over 50 Midland nonprofits who do incredible and inspiring work in our community. Join us on May 3rd and give where you live during Give Local Midland.

As you know, DNMM has provided independent living support services to people with disabilities throughout the mid-Michigan area for over 30 years. As we look to the next 30 years and beyond, we see an ever-increasing demand for services with an ever-tightening grip on state and federal funding. We need to ensure DNMM will always be there to help people with disabilities achieve and maintain their independence. With your support, we can continue creating accessible and inclusive communities.

How can you help?

1. Mark Give Local Midland on your calendar for May 3, 2022 and share this donation page link with your friends, family, and co-workers!

2. Please make a donation to support us on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Gifts given that day will receive a portion of bonus funds - making your dollar go further!

3. Help us spread the word! Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram. Follow the hashtag #GiveLocalMidland to see the buzz. We can't wait to celebrate the difference your generosity will make for our community!

#GiveLocalMidland #CommunityEvent

Give Local Midland is Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The event lasts for 24 hours – from 12:00AM on May 3 to 11:59PM.

PLANNING FOR AN EMERGENCY

Are you prepared to handle an emergency situation? Do you have a plan?

After the devastating floods in May of 2020, many Michigan residents faced the difficult challenge of trying to put the pieces of their lives back together. Many found themselves in the position of not having a plan for dealing with such an emergency. 

DNMM is excited to once again offer MY3P (My Personal Protection Plan) - an emergency preparedness series that will help you Make a Plan, Build a Kit, and

Be Informed.

April session dates and topics:

• Part One - April 7 - 1:00-3:00pm

Creating My Action Plans and Support Network

• Part Two - April 14 1:00-3:00pm

Creating My Go Kit and Evacuation Plan

Assistive Technology For Your Go Kit

• Part Three - April 21 1:00-3:00pm

Advanced Care Directives

Personal Safety

All sessions are FREE of charge and will be conducted virtually on Zoom. Participants will be given flash drives with all the essential resources to customize their plan.

Class size is limited.

IT'S TAX SEASON - THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE

Working American's making $64,000 or less are leaving money on the table every year during tax season. Many are unaware that they qualify for free tax preparation through United Way's MyFreeTaxes program.

"Only four in ten surveyed were aware of the Child Tax Credit (CTC)," shared a United Way official. "Fewer than six in ten know about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and nearly 20% were not aware of any tax credits."

MyFreeTaxes is a free, safe, and easy way for anyone earning $64,000 or less to file their state and federal taxes.

Tax refunds help working Americans pay for everyday needs like food, housing and utilities along with providing a way to save for the future.

United Way also funds a tax assistance program at the Midland Community Center. They partner with AARP volunteers who provide on-site tax preparation for moderate- to low-income seniors and low-income individuals.

A free tax preparation program for local seniors and those with low to moderate-income.

• Basic returns for seniors and those with low to moderate income.
• Call to make an appointment. Leave your name and phone number and someone will call you back to schedule. No Walk-ins.
• IRS trained volunteers will walk you through the process in two easy appointments

LOCATIONS

Greater Midland Community Center

(989) 832-7937 ext. 6

Click here to email GMCC for Tax Assistance

Greater Midland Coleman Family Center

(989) 465-2079

United Way of Saginaw County is once again offering free tax preparation services to individuals and families through its IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Saginaw County residents can visit a VITA site to have their taxes prepared for free. Sites include Frankenmuth Credit Union (544 N. Main St., Frankenmuth) and at United Way's office (100 S. Jefferson Ave, Saginaw). The United Way of Saginaw County wants all individuals and families to move towards long term financial stability and independence. 

VITA allows Saginaw County residents to process their returns efficiently and accurately at no cost to the taxpayer. Appointments are required. Call 2-1-1- to schedule. The United Way tax program is completely free of charge and returns will be e-filed with the IRS to provide a prompt refund without any fees.

Tax preparation assistance is offered through MidMichigan Community Action Agency in Clare and Gladwin Counties. Please call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment: Farwell: 989-386-3805 or Gladwin: 989-426-2801. Click here to view MMCAA Tax Assistance website.

The United Way of Bay County Tax Assistance and Filing for Low-Income Individuals, Families, Senior-Citizens, and Persons with Disabilities through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.  The program runs through April 15th. Call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment.

ORDER YOUR FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST

On January 14, the White House announced a new initiative to help ensure Americans have COVID-19 tests on hand in case they are needed. The website to order at-home testing kits - at no cost - is now live and accepting orders. People who do not have internet access or who need additional assistance with ordering can call 1-800-232-0233 

(TTY 1-888-720-7489) to place their orders. 

The Eldercare Locator and the Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL) also can assist older adults and people with disabilities with placing orders if they need additional help, connect people to accessible instructions, and help with administering the tests. Both phone lines are staffed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern). 

Older adults can call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 Monday-Friday or visit the website to chat live or browse resources.  

People with disabilities can contact DIAL by calling 888-677-1199 or by emailing DIAL@usaginganddisability.org. The DIAL information specialists are trained to work with people of various communications abilities, including spending as much time as needed to understand callers. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can reach DIAL using the 711/Video Relay Service (VRS). To use this free service, simply dial 711 to be connected via text with a communications assistant. (For people who do not communicate through speech, sign language or VRS, email is the best option to communicate with DIAL.)

Do you need extra help paying for your Medicare Part D prescription plan?

Call us to see if you are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. We can help you with screening questions and do the application over the phone in as little as 15 minutes!

Do you need help paying your Medicare premiums? Call us today to see if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. Our certified MMAP Specialists can assist you with checking your eligibility and doing the application over the phone.

Did you know there are many preventative health and screening services included with your Medicare coverage?

Some of the things you may be eligible for include:

These are just some of the many services you could access. Call today for more information and a full list of preventative health benefits!

CALL US TODAY! WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!

1-800-782-4160

CATCH THE SPIRIT!

DISABILITY NETWORK OF MID-MICHIGAN

800-782-4160 | www.dnmm.org