Image description: New logo. A blue circular swoosh. "DISABILITY network" (blue and orange, respectively) centered in the circle, with Washtenaw, Monroe, Livingston underneath, in green. |
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Friend,
After 47 years of being known as the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL,) it was decided to update the organization’s brand/name.
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The AACIL will now be known as
Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston
or simply Disability Network.
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We will continue to be disability-led and disability-operated. We will remain a place for people with disabilities across our community to gather, build, advocate, and reach personal goals, with the common vision of an inclusive community that is accessible to everyone. The physical environment and the attitudes of our fellow community members create the biggest barriers for people with disabilities. We will work to break down these barriers by educating our communities that people with disabilities do not need to be fixed nor are their disabilities a barrier. We will also advocate for the need to alter the physical environment to provide accessibility.
The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living was founded in 1976 and has worked
closely with the disability community to help people live more fulfilling, self-determined lives. Over 80% of staff and board identify as having a disability.
In addition to the name change, Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston (DNWML) has debuted a new logo and updated website.
“We will continue to be a Center for Independent Living; that will never change. We will continue to be disability-led, disability-run, and a place for people with disabilities to gather; that, too, will never change.” said Executive Director, Alex Gossage. “Disability is a natural part of life. Changing our name to Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston puts disability first and embraces who we are and who we serve.”
The rebrand showcases the three counties the nonprofit serves and symbolizes an era of growth, progress, and improved visibility within the disability community. Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston continues its mission to empower the lives of people with disabilities and to advocate for a more inclusive community for all.
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“Disability is a natural part of life. Changing our name to Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston puts disability first and embraces who we are and who we serve.”
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Classes, Events, & Groups |
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Theatre Program "Dialogue" Sessions
As we move into March, the Recreation Team is excited to add Theatre to our Inclusive Rec opportunities.
Register NOW for one of our introductory Dialogue Sessions and experience:
- Easy, Engaging, & FUN theatre exercises!
- Building Meaningful Friendships!
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Sharing Your Voice to Build Your Theatre Program!
INFO
Dialogue Session Dates
- Monday, March 13 (Washtenaw Office/in-person)
- Friday, March 24 (Zoom/virtual)
- 12:00-1:00pm
REGISTER
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OREO Club
We’re getting together to explore each month’s flavor, connect with other people, and engage in great discussions. We’ll talk cookies and life, create Oreo-themed artwork, and collaborate on a customized Oreo order to share. Oreo cookies will be provided for pick-up at the Washtenaw Office
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INFO
Third Friday of the month
March 17
3:00-4:00pm
Zoom
REGISTER
TBA
CONTACT
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SPIRIT Inclusive Fitness Club
Are you looking to stay active at home and connect with others? Our fitness club on Zoom welcomes all abilities with three different adaptations of exercises all on one screen! Participants are welcome to do the workout as presented or modify it as they are comfortable.
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INFO
Mondays and Wednesdays
4:00-5:00pm
Zoom
SCHEDULE
- Monday, 2/27 - Yoga
- Wednesday, 3/1 - Balance Fitness
- Monday, 3/6 - Sam’s Workout Jams
- Wednesday, 3/8 - Boxing
- Monday, 3/13 - Strength Fitness
- Wednesday, 3/15 - Cardio Fitness
- Monday, 3/20 - Meditation
- Wednesday, 3/22 - Sit & HIIT
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Trivia Tuesday
Do you just HAVE to know? Or do you already have the answers? Find out by joining us online for Tuesday Trivia! And introducing for 2023–GAMES! Our club will be adding to the laughter and learning by adding new activities to our time together. There will be new themes every week, starting January 10, so be sure to follow our Facebook. Join as a team or play on your own, take score or just play for fun, the choice is yours. You will always get to decide what kind of questions and games we will explore!
INFO
Tuesdays
4:00-5:00pm
Zoom
REGISTER
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Movie Club
All ages and abilities! Winter session runs from January 5th through March 30th.
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INFO
Weekly on Thursdays
4:00-5:00pm
Zoom
SCHEDULE (all available on Netflix)
- 3/2 - Blue Miracle
- 3/9 - Twins
- 3/16 - The Burbs
- 3/23 - The Adam Project
- 3/30 - Enola Holmes 2
REGISTER
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Art Programming
Make some creative time for yourself, alongside friends. Learn new techniques, socialize, and get a little messy! Submit project or artist suggestions below.
REGISTER/INFO
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In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions
FOCUS
Every other week will focus on marketing and selling your work, interspersed with media-based techniques.
INFO
Weekly on Mondays
1:30-3:30pm
Washtenaw Office
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SCHEDULE
- 2/27/23 - Marketing with social media and/or websites
- 3/6/23 - Polymer clay jewelry and small works
- 3/13/23 - Framing, hanging, and displaying your work
- 3/20/23 - Air dry clay sculpture
- 3/27/23 - NO CLASS/Break
- 4/3/23 - Documenting your work
- 4/10/23 - Mosaics
- 4/17/23 - Applying to exhibitions and shows
- 4/24/23 - Mosaics
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In-person Art Class:
Open Studio
INFO
Weekly on Wednesdays
10:00am-12:00pm
Washtenaw Office
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Virtual Art Class:
Open Studio
INFO
Weekly on Thursdays
1:30-3:00pm
Zoom
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Have an artist, project, or technique suggestion? |
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Want to show your artwork at our onsite (Washtenaw) Gallery Be? |
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For ALL of your favorite programming and groups...
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Where you can:
- See event details
- Register for events
- Find out who's hosting
- Download it to your personal calendar
- And more!
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February 27, 2023 - In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at Washtenaw Office
February 27, 2023 - Be Active at Home: Spirit Club Inclusive Fitness 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
February 28, 2023 - Trivia Tuesdays 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
February 28, 2023 - Caring Connections for Parents with Disabilities 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at Zoom
March 1, 2023 - In-person Art Class: Open Studio 10:00 am-12:00 pm at Washtenaw Office
March 1, 2023 - Your World: Navigating Life with Blindness and Low Vision 12:00 pm-1:00 pm at Zoom
March 1, 2023 - Be Active at Home: Spirit Club Inclusive Fitness 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 1, 2023 - Safe Connections 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at Washtenaw Office
March 2, 2023 - Virtual Art Class: Open Studio 1:30 pm-3:00 pm at Zoom
March 2, 2023 - Virtual Movie Club 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 6, 2023 - In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at Washtenaw Office
March 6, 2023 - Be Active at Home: Spirit Club Inclusive Fitness 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 7, 2023 - Trivia Tuesdays 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 8, 2023 - In-person Art Class: Open Studio 10:00 am-12:00 pm at Washtenaw Office
March 8, 2023 - Be Active at Home: Spirit Club Inclusive Fitness 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 8, 2023 - Safe Connections 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at Washtenaw Office
March 9, 2023 - Virtual Art Class: Open Studio 1:30 pm-3:00 pm at Zoom
March 9, 2023 - Virtual Movie Club 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 13, 2023 - In-person Art Class: Guided Sessions 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at Washtenaw Office
March 13, 2023 - DCAL Subminimum Wage Working Group 2:00 pm-3:00 pm at Zoom
March 13, 2023 - Be Active at Home: Spirit Club Inclusive Fitness 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 14, 2023 - SCI Virtual Meet Up 12:00 pm-1:30 pm at Zoom
March 14, 2023 - Trivia Tuesdays 4:00 pm-5:00 pm at Zoom
March 14, 2023 - Caring Connections for Parents with Disabilities 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at Zoom
Ongoing/By appointment - SSA Programs, Health Insurance Options Counseling
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Safe Connections
Safe Connections is an evidence-based curriculum that highlights healthy relationships and sexuality for individuals with disabilities. Adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities ages 18 and up.
INFO
Starting 3/8
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-8:00pm
Zoom
REGISTER
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CIL Loan Closet
The CIL is happy to provide individuals with disability-related equipment at no cost. Equipment availability, color, brand, or style may vary. Our loan closet’s inventory is dependent upon new or gently-used donations.
Equipment includes (but might not be limited to:)
- Wheelchairs
- Reacher/grabber tools
- Shower chairs
- Tub transfer chairs
- Walkers
- Canes
- Rollator walkers
- And more!
Other items are considered on a case-by-case basis.
INFO
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Image Description: ABOVE RIGHT - Stock images of various medical equipment, including a walker, cane, wheelchair, shower chair, and reacher grabber tool. |
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American Dream Employment Network
The CIL is now a member of the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN). ADEN is a national administrative Employment Network providing services to individuals receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits under the Ticket to Work program. For individuals receiving SSA disability benefits, the return to gainful employment can be complicated and challenging. As a new Member of ADEN, we at The CIL, want to invite all of our current customers/clients who are receiving Social Security disability benefits to explore assigning your Ticket to Work.
To read and hear about success stories of ADEN Participants improving their financial situation, visit:
INFO
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Disability Community Action Lab (DCAL)
To educate consumers on relevant advocacy issues and provide the expertise and resources to support them in pursuing their advocacy goals. Ages 16+, all abilities welcome, interest in advocacy required, experience in advocacy not required.
INFO
Third Wednesday of the month
12:00-1:30pm
Zoom
SCHEDULE
REGISTER
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Your World: Navigating Life
with Blindness and Low-Vision
Join us on Zoom for a welcoming discussion group for people who are blind or experiencing vision loss. Topics will be participant-driven and sessions will empower group members to embrace their self-identities and individuality as people with low vision, while strengthening belonging and community inclusion. Your World is a group where we discuss different topics involving navigating life with low vision. We share resources, tips, and perspectives to help us enhance the quality and autonomy of our lives. Group facilitators are professionals from a wide range of backgrounds who experience blindness or vision loss. Assistive technology support will be available.
INFO
First Wednesday of the month
12:00-1:00pm
Zoom
SCHEDULE
REGISTER
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Caring Connections for Parents with Disabilities
This is a caring and supportive space for disabled parents to share their struggles and joys as parents. We share stories, strategies, and resources. Further, we grow in our pride and identities as disabled people while navigating life as parents and caregivers.
INFO
Every other Thursday
7:00-8:00pm
Zoom
SCHEDULE
REGISTER
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Hope for Aging Caregivers
Do you have a loved one with a disability?
Do you feel like you are carrying the world on your shoulders?
Hope for Aging Caregivers is here to help!
The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) has partnered with Hope Trust to bring you the Hope for Aging Caregivers project. This project will guide family caregivers to plan for their loved one’s future. Project participants will work with a Family Support Navigator (FSN) to use the Hope Trust platform to create a care plan. Hope for Aging Caregivers aims to improve the health and well-being of aging family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The project will use new technology that enables coordinated, cost-effective, and sustainable care planning.
You have two (2) ways to learn more about this opportunity. You may:
CONTACT
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Study.com Student Scholarships
In order to push toward our goal of making education accessible, Study.com has designated a wide variety of academic awards and scholarships for current and prospective students. Study.com is thrilled to be awarding over $50,000 in scholarships. These academic awards are geared toward people with ranging backgrounds, identities, and academic goals.
Study.com wants to help empower students who have physical disabilities, learning difficulties, and other impairments by providing some financial relief toward a college degree. To do that, we're offering several Study.com Student Scholarships for students with different types of disabilities pursuing degrees. Our scholarships award $1,000 to help cover some of the costs of college. These scholarships include:
Check out our list HERE to apply for any scholarships you may qualify for!
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Common Ground
Common Ground is a 24-hour crisis services agency dedicated to helping youths, adults, and families in crisis. Through their crisis line, in-person, and virtual services, they provide professional and compassionate free service (they’ll ask for insurance information if the individual has it, but don’t turn individuals away). There is also a crisis “urgent care” type facility.
Common Ground Crisis line: 1-800-231-1127
Fox 2 news interview link:
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Washtenaw Community Concert Band
Free Community band concerts
Washtenaw Community Concert Band (WCCB) is providing FREE community band concerts.
If you require accommodations, please make a reservation to insure your accommodations are met. There is limited space. If an attendant or a friend will be accompanying you to the concert, please provide this information at the time of your reservation. After you have made your reservation, on the day of your reservation please arrive by 7pm and check in with an usher. A reservation is not required for the April 23 concert.
2023 CONCERT DATES
- Thursday, March 9, 7:30pm - Around the World in 80 Minutes: The band takes a musical tour of the globe
- Sunday, April 23, 2:00pm - Ensemble Concert: Enjoy music ensembles of various sizes in a concert to benefit the Ken Bowman Memorial Scholarship Fund, which sends area youth to summer music camp at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
- Thursday, May 4, 7:30pm - American Landscapes: Showcasing diverse sounds of our country and a world premier of Asylum Lake by young Michigan composer Eric Szanto
- Thursday, June 22, 7:30pm - First Summer Concert: Featuring favorite summer music
- Thursday, July 27, 7:30pm - Second Summer Concert: Final concert of the season
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Free Virtual Trainings & Resources for Families
Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Disability Network Southwest Michigan is pleased to be entering its second year of the program, Paving the Way to Self Determination, which is now available for families throughout Michigan to assist them in raising the expectations people have for children with developmental disabilities.
This free program focuses on concepts that will introduce children with disabilities and their families to the empowerment that leads to living an independent and self-directed life.
Paving the Way to Self Determination provides free, online educational opportunities and other resources for families on topics such as disability rights, accommodation requests, building resilience, understanding neurodiversity, social security benefits, and disability pride. The program also provides Information & Referral services to families throughout the state and access to the Charting the LifeCourse program for self-determination.
Paving the Way to Self Determination offers an opportunity for families to reframe their mindset about disability. Rather than see disability as something negative or limiting, Paving the Way to Self Determination helps parents and their children to think of disability as a form of diversity.
Let’s raise the bar of expectations so our children can look forward to a brighter future – one of their choosing!
By introducing families and their children to a different paradigm, one that includes supported decision-making and self-determination, we believe the assumptions and stigma that follow children with disabilities into adulthood can be erased, paving the way to a new path of inclusion and belonging.
Paving the Way to Self-Determination is in collaboration with The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc Michigan, Michigan Alliance for Families, and Charting The LifeCourse, and is made possible through funding from The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.
INFO/CONTACT
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Recruiting Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Evaluate a Smartwatch-based Sound Awareness App
Are you deaf or hard of hearing? We need your help designing the next generation of accessible smartwatches!
Our research team is studying how smartwatches can be used to provide sound awareness. We are recruiting participants who are Deaf or hard of hearing and 18 years of age or older.
We will compensate you $25/hour for the interviews, $25/week for the smartwatch use, and an additional $25 for transportation costs--for a total of $150 if you complete all parts of the study. If you instead choose to quit, we will reimburse you for the completed period.
MORE INFO
REGISTER
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Dare2Design
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University's Dare2Design program is looking for volunteers with vision-related challenges or arthritis to help high school teams develop an Assistive Technology customized to their needs. The volunteers will share their needs and also help test the solutions designed and developed by the young inventors.
As participants in the Dare2Design program, high school students are learning problem-solving and invention. They will interview the volunteers to understand their needs and develop custom software to meet those needs. The volunteer will then test the solution developed by the students and provide feedback. They will also be able to keep the developed technology for personal use.
As a volunteer, you will be expected to meet the team about four or five times between December 2022 and February 2023. Some meetings may be held virtually.
REGISTER/INFORMATION
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A2 Snow Match
Program Seeking Volunteers
Snow-covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone, and now a program to help keep walkways clear is hitting the streets this winter in Ann Arbor. The City of Ann Arbor Snow Match program will pair residents with nearby neighbors who volunteer to assist with sidewalk snow removal. Recipients of the volunteer services can be individuals with disabilities or seniors (55+) who do not have resources (financial or family/friends nearby) for snow removal. The goal is to make sidewalks accessible for all ages and abilities … and to make help available to those in need.
Along with making sidewalks safer for postal carriers, children/students, community members using public transportation, and neighbors, and relieving some of the stress on residents that comes from snowfall or freeze, the Snow Match program aims to foster stronger community relationships!
Volunteers will be matched with homes within a 10-minute walk from their location.
To register to volunteer to clear sidewalks OR to register to have your sidewalks cleared, click the button below.
INFORMATION
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Project Excellence
Express Your Opinions:
Michigan Statewide Needs Assessment Survey
Project Excellence is a long-term collaborative (grant-supported) relationship with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) with the goal of providing long-term stability to the existing program evaluation and research function of the Bureau and expanded capacity to address new evaluation and research questions to provide the agency with data and analysis regarding the impact of the rehabilitation services provided to citizens with disabilities in the State of Michigan.
Please share your opinions about the service needs for individuals with disabilities living within your community from October 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023.
To take the Michigan Comprehensive Needs Assessment Survey, make one of the selections below:
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If you are a Michigan resident with a disability, click here.
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If you are a family member or a friend of a Michigan resident with a disability, click here.
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The mission of Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston is to empower the lives of people with disabilities and to advocate for a more inclusive community for all.
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