Michigan Disability Rights Coalition

10/27/2025

10/27/2025

🌟 Meet Ali, a proud Leaders Engaged in Advocacy and Development (LEAD) Program graduate! As a person with a disability and parent of a disabled child, Ali is a fierce advocate and organizer. She advocates for Black Businesses, Moms in the workforce, and more inclusive communities and work spaces. Ali hosts a monthly Black Business Mixer and shares community resources.

🗣️Quote: “Participating in the Spring 2024 LEAD cohort was a transformative experience. I gained powerful insights into disability history and the systemic barriers we continue to face. The program connected me with a supportive community and affirmed the importance of shared experiences in advocacy. It strengthened my commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion in every space I’m in.”
As an entrepreneur, Ali is championing Black-owned and grassroots businesses, creating spaces that uplift community and culture. Beyond business, she is a dedicated mother of a child with a disability and a tireless advocate for both adults and children with disabilities.
Ali shows us what it means to build power, lead with lived experience, and create change for marginalized communities with disabilities. Her journey reflects the impact of starting at the grassroots level and moving upward — from the basics of community support to the heart of advocacy. 💪🏾✨
Join us in celebrating this incredible leader and advocate!

Image Description: Ali, dressed in a black sweater and jeans, stands with her daughter in a yellow floral dress at the Grassroots Giving Lansing table.

10/23/2025

Join us to celebrate the life of Norman DeLisle Jr.

Jill Gerrie invites you to honor Norm's memory over lunch on Thursday, November 7th at 1:00 PM at One North Kitchen and Bar (1310 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI).

When describing himself, Norm led with what mattered most: hubby to Jill. He also described himself as a dog owner, advocate, strategist, trainer, and geezer. To all of us, he was a powerful voice for disability rights and justice for five decades - and a friend.

Please join us to share memories, laughter, and stories.

Lunch will be provided. RSVP is appreciated for planning but not required to attend: https://tinyurl.com/NormDeLisle

At Jill's request, donations in Norm's memory may be made to Michigan Disability Rights Coalition: https://tinyurl.com/wbv6emrj

[Image Description. A memorial invitation with an elegant dark design featuring decorative floral line drawings in gold and gray tones in each corner of the image. At the top left is a circular black and white photograph of Norman DeLisle Jr., an older man with white hair wearing a plaid button-down shirt, smiling warmly at the camera. The photo is framed with a white circular border. To the right of the photo, in gold italic serif font, it reads "In Loving Memory of" followed by "Norman DeLisle Jr." in large white serif font. Below this, centered on a dark gray to black gradient background, the following text appears in white: "NOVEMBER 7TH, 1:00 PM" "ONE NORTH KITCHEN AND BAR 1310 ABBOT ROAD EAST LANSING, MI" "Join us to celebrate Norm's life over lunch. Share your memories, laughter, and stories as we honor his memory." In italics: "Lunch provided" A thin horizontal gold line separates the sections. In gold text: "RSVP APPRECIATED FOR PLANNING BUT NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND" "HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/NORMDELISLE" Another thin horizontal gold line. In white text: "In Norm's memory, donations may be made to:" In gold text: "Michigan Disability Rights Coalition" End Image Description.]

10/21/2025

🌟 Leaders Engaged in Advocacy and Development (LEAD) is proud to celebrate graduate, Leandra. Leandra continues to grow her leadership and impact — Leandra served as a panelist in two of LEAD’s public trainings centering Latinx communities with disabilities. She expanded her advocacy by sharing her story as a Latina woman with a disability and a parent of a child with disability. She also co-facilitated our 2025 Latinx Parent Cohort alongside LEAD’s bilingual advocate, working to support Spanish-speaking families with disabilities.
Her journey reflects what LEAD is all about: building power, sharing her lived experience, her knowledge, and breaking barriers. ✨ Leandra continues to be a committed advocate of the LEAD program and a strong voice for Latinx communities with disabilities.
💪🏽 Join us in celebrating her dedication and impact!


Image Description: A photo of Leandra at the LEAD Creating Change event. She is smiling while accepting her LEAD graduation certificate. She uses forearm crutches and is wearing a tan blazer and a black top.

10/20/2025

MDRC Staff took time this morning to remember our colleague, friend, and mentor Norm DeLisle. Staff contributed images and words that captured Norm. Do you have words you would add? Feel free to share them in the comments - we would love to hear your words!

[Image Description: This is a memorial collage titled "Remembering Norm" with "Support Disabilities Rights" written in cursive in the top right corner. The layout consists of various text boxes, sticky notes, and images arranged in a collage style across the page.
Main Title: "Remembering Norm" in large text at the top center
Text elements throughout the collage include: "Ohhhhh GAWD!", "Supportive of projects and ideas", "Friend", "Leader", "Quiet Confidence", "Knowledgeable", "Brain research", "Sharing stories", "War stories", "Advocacy in the trenches days", "Power corrupts", "Salt on pizza", "Supplement ideas", "Medical advice", "Denim shirt", "Bacteria stuffies", "Deep empathy", "Brilliant", "Helpful", "Ex-Catholic", "Story teller", "Wise", "Kind", "Extremely knowledgible", "Brain sponge", "dog lover", "very open & accepting & supportive of everyone", "dedicated", "unending wealth of stories and life experiences", "blue denim shirts", "Cool, calm, and collected", "Powerful/Impactful", "book reader/EVERYTHING reader", "Fascinated by AI", "Authentic", "Random medical knowledge", "Advocate", "Disability Pride", "Stories for days - any problem you had he had encountered and had words of wisdom", "Loved his dogs and his wife", "So much Knowledge", "Curator of information", "Had the best stories", "So much information on Recovery and the Peer Program", "Very supportive of marganized communities", "Fidget Lover!", "AI Expert", "Thoughtful partner and husband", "Intentional", "Mentor", "powerful advocate", "role model/mentor", "Roundabout storyteller", "Often the smartest person in the room." with "+1" notation, "Jean Shirt/MDRC Logo, Jean Pants White Sneakers", "MDRC historian", "never seemed to be in a bad mood/always good spirits" with "+1", "Unafraid to tell it like it is", "Deep Listener", "Discussions about life and science", "Model of Leadership".
Quote: "I left every meeting and interaction with Norm having learned something new, I always appreciated that"
Central area includes text reading "With Liberty and Access for All", MDRC logo with "100% Authentic" badge, image of a denim shirt, rainbow pride flag image, disability pride flag (diagonal striped flag), small cartoon bacteria characters with faces, "DID YOU KNOW?" text, heart symbols scattered throughout, brain illustration, banana/slug-like character illustration, "FUN FACT" text with decorative elements, and small icons including books labeled "GAMES".
The overall design creates a vibrant memorial tribute that celebrates Norm's life, advocacy work, knowledge, and impact on others through a collection of memories, characteristics, and visual elements. End Image Description.]

10/20/2025

💼 October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!
For BIPOC people with disabilities, employment often comes with extra barriers — from hiring discrimination to lack of culturally inclusive workplace supports. Yet, every day, BIPOC leaders with disabilities are shaping industries, challenging inequities, and redefining what leadership looks like.
At LEAD, we believe employment is about more than a paycheck — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and building power for our communities. ✊🏾✊🏽✊🏿
➡️ This month, let’s commit to breaking barriers and creating workplaces where BIPOC people with disabilities can thrive.


A Black woman in a wheelchair works at her desk, focused on dual monitors displaying an invoice and a spreadsheet, showing dedication and professionalism in the workplace.

10/17/2025

10/17/2025

A federal judge temporarily halted a U.S. Department of Education plan to gut its special education office, but advocates say that the future of services for students with disabilities remains uncertain.

10/16/2025

📣 Calling all parents of children with disabilities in Kent, Allegan, Barry, Branch, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, St. Joseph, or Van Buren counties! 🌟 Apply now for the LEAD Parent Cohort, a free program that creates space for parents to learn to advocate for their children, connect with peers, and navigate systems that impact their families. Learn about disability pride, history, culture, and inclusion, and gain leadership skills to create change. 📅 Cohort starts in November 2025! Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/LEADPARENT26

Image Description: A flyer with images: Michigan Disability Rights Coalition and LEAD Logos. LEAD program group photos. MI Developmental Disabilities Council Logo. Includes text “LEAD Parent Program. Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is accepting applications for their Parent Program. LEAD is a leadership and advocacy development program with a goal to build power within the disability community. The parent cohort begins with a 2 day retreat, Saturday, November 8th – Sunday, November 9th, 2025. Meals and Lodging will be provided. A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the one month program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request. To participate parents must live in Kent, Allegan, Barry, Branch, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, St. Joseph, or Van Buren counties. Parents will learn about:
• Disability pride, history, culture, & inclusion
• Supporting their child with disabilities
• Navigating the special education system
• Self-Advocacy & Advocating for their child. For more information: Web: MyMdrc.org. Email: LEAD@MyMDRC.org. Ph: 517-333-2477. The LEAD program is funded by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. APPLY NOW. Scan QR CODE for access to the application, or go to https://tinyurl.com/LEADPARENT26”. end text]

10/16/2025

The U.S. Department of Education just laid off almost everyone who works in the Office of Special Education.
This office makes sure schools follow the law that protects students with disabilities.
Without these workers, it will be harder to make sure students get the help they need.
💬 What you can do:
Call or email your members of Congress. Tell them to bring back the staff who protect special education.

Every student deserves a fair education.

Layoffs will leave no more than a handful of staffers in the agency's special education office, jeopardizing oversight of the nation's programs for students with disabilities, advocates say.

10/15/2025

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th through October 15th. It is an honor to celebrate Latinx advocates with disabilities who are building power, breaking barriers, and reshaping what leadership looks like.
Meet some of the inspiring advocates in the community making change:
- Conchita Hernández Legorreta: Blind/low-vision activist, educator, co-founder of the National Coalition of Latinx with Disabilities, and founder of METAS (Mentoring, Engaging, and Teaching All Students).
- María Fernanda Castro Maya — self-advocate in Mexico fighting for the political participation of people with intellectual disabilities, and pushing for legal reforms.
- Annie Segarra: Latinx, q***r, disabled YouTuber and activist advocating for accessibility, representation, and body positivity.
Their commitment reminds us that leadership comes from those with lived experience—and that when we uplift diverse voices, we move closer to justice and access for ALL.
To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month visit: https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month

Image Description: [A poster with text "Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month" end text. Includes images of María Fernanda Castro Maya, a light skinned woman with brown hair smiling wearing a blazer, Conchita Hernández Legorreta, a light skinned woman with brown hair smiling wearing a sweater, and Annie Segarra, a light skinned woman with black hair sitting in a wheelchair wearing a "Q***r and Disabled" shirt and a jacket. End Image Description.]

10/15/2025

Frank and Laura of the LFI team were happy to present to 101 attendees from Honor Community Health. Would your org like a training? Email us at leaders@mymdrc.org.

Image description: A person wearing blue medical scrubs and a stethoscope is sitting at a desk. Their hands are visible, one holding a pen, gesturing as if explaining something. In front of them are a laptop and a clipboard with papers. The upper part of their face is not visible in the image.