Disability Advocates

12/13/2025

12 Days of Impact: Day 1 - Home Accessibility

This holiday season, consider the gift of giving. Here at Disability Advocates, we work alongside people with disabilities as they seek self-directed lives filled with independence and opportunity.

Your gift opens doors—literally. 🏡 You help make homes safer and more accessible through home assessments from certified aging-in-place specialists. Independence starts right at the front door. Visit www.dakc.us/donate

12/11/2025

📝 From Dave’s Desk – Episode 9 is here!

Welcome back — we’re glad you enjoyed last week’s On the Road edition! This week, Dave is back at the desk and talking about something important as winter settles in: keeping our community safe and accessible. ❄️

Dave recently shared a post on LinkedIn about a friend who uses a wheelchair and was forced to travel in the road because sidewalks and curb cuts weren’t properly shoveled or salted. It’s a powerful reminder: winter maintenance isn’t just a courtesy — it’s about safety, dignity, and independence.

Read Dave’s full post here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/david-bulkowski-29a59911_daves-annual-its-time-to-shovel-message-activity-7402020276609482752-DJ2z

Thank you for helping make our community safer and more inclusive — one sidewalk at a time. Stay warm, stay safe, and stay kind! ❄️🧣 If you would like to support Disability Advocates, visit dakc.us/donate

12/09/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible progress our community has made toward greater access and independence. This year, state funding cuts have created a significant gap — but your support is what keeps vital services moving forward.

When you give, you directly support people with disabilities, families, veterans, and youth pursuing independence. Hear their stories in our 2025 Impact Video below — and if you’re able, consider making a gift today at www.dakc.us/donate to help continue this essential work.

Together, we can keep building a community where access and independence are a reality for all. Thank you for being the impact!

12/08/2025

Monthly donors help us plan ahead and respond faster — creating lasting change for people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans.

Your support helps provide accessibility tools, safety upgrades, skill-building opportunities, home modifications, and community advocacy that make independence possible.

Visit our website to learn more and join us in building a more accessible future.

Your generous donation can transform lives and support those in need. Join us in making an impact.

12/06/2025

Medicaid changes are coming — and they could impact millions.

Under H.R.1, many adults will soon face more frequent eligibility checks, putting people experiencing homelessness or housing instability at higher risk of losing coverage even when they still qualify.

This means potential gaps in vital services like behavioral health services, medications, and case management.

CSH breaks down what’s changing and how agencies can help protect continuous coverage.

Read more:

One vital aspect of H.R.1 will impact many supportive housing residents: More Frequent Eligibility Determinations.

12/05/2025

🎨THIS-ABILITY HOLIDAY ART MARKET 🖌️
Don’t miss the This-Ability Holiday Art Market on Saturday, December 6th from 11 AM – 2 PM at Hearts for the Arts—a festive community event celebrating creativity and inclusion!

The market will feature original artwork, home goods, gifts, and more created by nearly 60 artists enrolled in a weekly Art Enrichment Program. Guests can browse a wide variety of handmade pieces including paintings, ornaments, jewelry, greeting cards, and unique holiday décor.

It’s the perfect chance to support local artists of all abilities while finding a one-of-a-kind holiday gift.

More info:

12/04/2025

📝 From Dave’s Desk – On the

This week, Dave is checking in from the Midwest House — and he brought along two incredible guests! 🎤

First up is Gabriel Grant, who dives into powerful conversations about accessibility, the importance of collaboration, and how we can turn meaningful dialogue into meaningful action.

Next, we hear from Tara McCrackin, President of Kendall College of Art and Design. She shares insight on challenging existing systems and the steps we can take to make impactful, lasting change in our community.

And since it was Giving Tuesday a few days ago, we invite you to consider supporting Disability Advocates today. Your contribution helps move these conversations — and the work behind them — forward.

If you’d like to support Disability Advocates, visit www.dakc.us/donate

12/03/2025

Our recent Mock Interview event at AEBetancourt gave young adults with disabilities the opportunity to strengthen their interview skills, gain confidence, and prepare for future career success. We’re grateful to our volunteer interviewers for sharing their time and insight to help participants build skills and confidence for the future. Then the staff of AE Betancourt and our young adults celebrated with pizza and pop!

12/02/2025

This , you are the impact.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible progress our community has made toward greater access and independence. This year, state funding cuts have created a significant gap — but your support is what keeps vital services moving forward.

When you give, you directly support people with disabilities, families, veterans, and youth pursuing independence. Hear their stories in our 2025 Impact Video below — and if you’re able, consider making a gift today at www.dakc.us/donate to help continue this essential work.

Together, we can keep building a community where access and independence are a reality for all. Thank you for being the impact!

12/01/2025

We’re proud to share exciting news from the Disability Advocates team!

Our Accessibility Consultant and Business Development Coordinator, Nicholette Driggs, has been appointed to the State of Michigan’s Barrier Free Design Board.

The Barrier Free Design Board plays a crucial role in ensuring that Michigan’s buildings and public spaces meet barrier-free design standards, reviewing requests for code exceptions, requiring equivalent accessible alternatives, addressing noncompliance concerns, and advising on improvements to accessibility requirements statewide.

11/30/2025

🎨THIS-ABILITY HOLIDAY ART MARKET 🖌️
Don’t miss the This-Ability Holiday Art Market on Saturday, December 6th from 11 AM – 2 PM at Hearts for the Arts—a festive community event celebrating creativity and inclusion!

The market will feature original artwork, home goods, gifts, and more created by nearly 60 artists enrolled in a weekly Art Enrichment Program. Guests can browse a wide variety of handmade pieces including paintings, ornaments, jewelry, greeting cards, and unique holiday décor.

It’s the perfect chance to support local artists of all abilities while finding a one-of-a-kind holiday gift.

More info: https://buff.ly/xOM3Gqq

11/29/2025

Recently, Nicholette, our Business Development Coordinator, and Dylan, one of our Youth Transition Specialists, had the honor of presenting at the Corewell Health Adaptabilities “Access to Good Jobs for All” Summit 2025, joining a powerful conversation about creating equitable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It was inspiring to connect with businesses and advocates who are making inclusion a priority—because access to good jobs truly is for everybody!