Connections for Community Leadership

01/31/2023

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is hiring three, full-time, remote, positions.

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is hiring for three full-time positions. All positions can be completed remotely in Michigan. The AT Specialist must live in Southeast Michigan. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to theresa@mymdrc.org by February 14th, 2023. Applicants who do...

08/22/2019

The Second "Raising Children with Disabilities with Resilience and Disability Pride" weekend event is now accepting registrations. The event will be September 27th-September 29th, and is only $50 after a $25 refund for attending all weekend. Not only is this a great training the weekend includes your lodging at Zehnders Splash Village in Frankenmuth, cost of meals, and water park tickets for you and your guests. Don't miss out! Register early this event had a waiting list last time!!!

Please note our definition of "parent" is intentionally inclusive of all families! When we use the term parent, we are also including guardians and are embracing all types of families (i.e. same-sex partnerships, grandparents raising grandchildren, co-parenting, kinship and foster parents etc.). We support families of choice which can include parents, step-parents, domestic partners, neighbors, communities, religious leaders, and any other person the individual with a disability defines as a parent.

For more information and to register visit http://www.herpowermdrc.org/parents-weekend.html

Note: Text description of photo available when you select the photo

The Second "Raising Children with Disabilities with Resilience and Disability Pride" weekend event is now accepting registrations. The event will be September 27th-September 29th, and is only $50 after a $25 refund for attending all weekend. Not only is this a great training the weekend includes your lodging at Zehnders Splash Village in Frankenmuth, cost of meals, and water park tickets for you and your guests. Don't miss out! Register early this event had a waiting list last time!!!

Please note our definition of "parent" is intentionally inclusive of all families! When we use the term parent, we are also including guardians and are embracing all types of families (i.e. same-sex partnerships, grandparents raising grandchildren, co-parenting, kinship and foster parents etc.). We support families of choice which can include parents, step-parents, domestic partners, neighbors, communities, religious leaders, and any other person the individual with a disability defines as a parent.

For more information and to register visit http://www.herpowermdrc.org/parents-weekend.html

Text on photo: (RAISING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WITH RESILIENCE AND DISABILITY PRIDE
A WEEKEND OF LEARNING AND CELEBRATION FOR PARENTS* OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Due to society’s stereotypes, stigma, oppression, and discrimination, children with disabilities are encouraged to assimilate and “overcome” their disabilities. In this weekend retreat, parents* will come together to explore a disability justice model of disability and further their understanding of the concept of disability pride.
This weekend event will celebrate the lives of people with disabilities. Parents will dig deeper into disability history and culture while embracing disability as part of their child’s identity. The celebration of disability identity leads to self-empowerment and a sense of belonging. Parents play an essential role in creating an environment where children with disabilities can explore disability history, culture, and pride and people are encouraged to accept all parts of their identities.
Attendees of this weekend will:
▪ Learn how to move through shame and gain pride
▪ Explore the important role that disability history, culture, and pride play in the lives of people with disabilities
▪ Discuss ways that family members can support the development of pride and power in the lives of their child with disabilities
▪ Learn how to become an ally to the disability community
This weekend will be facilitated by Leah Smith and Theresa Metzmaker.
Smith is one of the stars of the documentary ‘Far from the Tree.’ Smith has nearly a decade's worth of experience working in the disability rights movement, serving in a wide variety of roles including case management, marketing, and quality assurance. Currently, she manages , a web-based, anti-suicide campaign aimed specifically towards disabled people. She has also served two terms as the Director of Public Relations for Little People of America, the largest support and advocacy group for people with dwarfism in the world. Finally, she does all this while being a Mom to a toddler, Hazel, and an infant, Silas.
Metzmaker is the Assistant Executive Director of Michigan Disability Rights Coalition and Her Power Director. She started Her Power 10 years ago to celebrate teen girls with disabilities. Metzmaker loves being a mom of sorts to two amazing young women, and foster mom of two. Metzmaker’s work centers ending violence against people with disabilities.
Where: Zehnders Splash Village, Frankenmuth, MI
When: Evening of Friday, September 27th through Sunday, September 28th at noon.
Registration Fee: This event costs $75. We will be returning $25 being returned to you after you participate in the whole weekend. Meaning this event is only $50! Scholarships are available
Registration Materials: Register online www.surveymonkey.com/r/MDRCParentsWeekend or email jileesa@mymdrc.org for materials to be emailed or mailed to you.
What’s included?
▪ All training and materials
▪ Lodging for 3 days for 4 people
▪ 8 waterpark tickets total for participant and guests
▪ Dinner Friday and Lunch Saturday for participant
▪ Lunch Sunday for participant and guests
▪ Up to $200 cash total for meals not provided for the participant and their guests

07/10/2019

Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice still has spots open for the 10th annual event (☀️). The registration deadline has been extended to July 16th, 2019 (🦋). Her Power is for teen girls with ANY disability. Her Power provides personal care attendants, and a 24 hour nurse on site.

Register: http://www.herpowermdrc.org/registration.html

(Image description: 3 graphics for Her Power. (1): a fist raised in the air and outline by whimsical swirls. The words “she is empowered” are above the fist. (2): a colorful background and a black, leafy tree with the words “her power! Established in 2010”. (3): the profile of a teen girl surrounded by whimsical swirls with the words “she is proud”.)

06/07/2017

MDRC is hiring a full-time "Disability and Racial Justice Community Organizer."
Come join the MDRC team!!
PLEASE share with your network!

Full-time (40 hours a week). Pay based on knowledge, experience and candidate's education. ($33,000-$40,000 a year).

Provide intensive leadership training to people with developmental disabilities (DD) and parents of children with DD.

10/31/2016

So many cool ways to dress up for Halloween!!!!
Share a picture of your costume!!!

10/28/2016

FREEDOM FRIDAY


Image Description: Photo of a group of protesters holding signs. One sign reads: “Say No to MDA. Say No to Pity. Say Yes to Solidarity.” Text: 1991. The first annual protest of Jerry Lewis’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon was held. The group called for unity, not pity.

10/28/2016

10/24/2016

MEMORABLE MONDAY


"Disability Pride. Yeah! We are all a combination of many different parts and it's great that 'disability' is finally included." said a Participant from the RICC Regional Support Training in 2012.

10/22/2016

A grassroots effort to open the discussion of unfair labor practices in Michigan has allowed us to schedule a screening of Bottom Dollar, a video produced by Rooted in Rights and released in time to celebrate Investing in Abilities Month. I am attaching a document with a synopsis and production details.

October 25, 2016, 3:30 to 5:00 at the United Way of the Lakeshore, 31 E. Clay, Muskegon Michigan. Peer Action Alliance in collaboration with other disability advocates will sponsor the screening and a panel discussion following. We know an hour and a half is insufficient to cover the topic of disability and employment, but it is a place to begin.

We would be honored if you would take part in our event and share your extensive knowledge of Michigan's challenges. The event is organized by consumers and primarily for consumers, but we are stronger with our friends and allies. Please consider joining us for this special event.

If you want to speak or have a chair on the panel, please let me know and I will send the discussion guide and anything else you need to participate.

Thank you, please call or email any questions or concerns to Darma J Canter 231-719-1373, canter2000@aol.com

10/21/2016

Please share this throughout your network. We want this to go to as many people as possible.

The State of Michigan has the goal of hiring more individuals with disabilities.

A Community Inclusion Coordinator position is open at the DD Council.
The position is posted on the NEOGOV website, at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/1558384/community-inclusion-coordinator

The position will close on November 3, 2016, 5:00 PM Eastern.

A “How To Apply – Instructions for the First Time User” is available at:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdcs/New_Online_Employment_Application_Guide_-_First_Time_User_446027_7.pdf?20150930073259

The DD Council is a systems advocate for people with developmental disabilities. The Council operates under the Developmental Disabilities Basic State Grant program of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, as amended in 2000 (the DD Act, Public Law 106-402). Michigan's co...