Disability Network Southwest Michigan

03/24/2026

: On Tuesdays we share a tip or fact about the to give better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

March is month. Here are a few realities about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs):
🧠 Every 9 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury.
🧠 At least 64 million Americans have experienced a brain injury.
🧠 The average life expectancy of people with a TBI is 9 years shorter.
🧠 Every year, 1 in 10 children experiences a TBI.

Disability Network believes in the power of peer connection, and our Brain Injury Survivors Support Group provides exactly that. If you or someone you know has experienced a TBI, let them know about this resource.

Link preview ID: DNSWM logo; text: Our Per Support Groups - Disability Network Southwest Michigan.
https://loom.ly/94OoL_M

DNSWM Peer Support Groups Autistic Adult Peer Support Group This group provides an opportunity for Autistic adults to enjoy authentic social interactions and build genuine…

03/19/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for. Today we're celebrating the activists who came before us, paving the way for governmentally protected rights for people with disabilities. ♿

Last week was the anniversary of the March 12, 1990, Capital Crawl. Over 60 disability rights activists left their wheelchairs, crutches, and mobility devices at the bottom of the US Capitol steps and crawled up all 83 steps to demand passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This powerful act of civil disobedience became known as the Capitol Crawl, and it helped push Congress to finally take action on the ADA just months later.

Check out this short on the 8-year-old capitol crawler: https://loom.ly/1jTthv8

On March 12, 1990, something extraordinary happened on the steps of the United States Capitol building: dozens of disabled activists parked their wheelchairs...

03/18/2026

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community. Today's post is about sharing our stories.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is highlighting stories about the unique journeys of the Brain Injury Community. Everyone affected by brain injury has a story to tell, and no matter where you are on your brain injury journey, your story deserves to be told.

Submit your story via the following link for a chance to be featured on the BIAA Brain Injury Journey stories page: https://loom.ly/AjVKRXM

ID: BIAA logo and a brain icon; Green and white text on a dark blue background that reads: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

03/18/2026

: On Tuesdays we share a tip or fact about the to give better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

Did you know that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month? What is a developmental disability anyway? Simple! Developmental disability is a term used to describe a disability that started before the age of 22.

At DNSWM, we support people with disabilities of all ages. Check out our virtual resource library, specifically geared toward young disabled people and their families. It includes numerous video presentations and resources related to advocacy, education, employment, finances, and independence. It

https://loom.ly/yEwFznE

Link preview ID: Five children and young adults representing different types of developmental disabilities. Text: Paving the Way to Self Determination - Disability Network Southwest Michigan.

Paving the Way to Self Determination Paving the Way to Self Determination is a program developed to support children with developmental disabilities (ages birth –…

03/16/2026

It's hard to believe it's already been three years since Disability Rights activist Judy Heumann died.

Judy was often referred to as the "mother of the disability rights movement." She used a wheelchair for mobility due to contracting polio at 18 months old, and at that time, simply being a wheelchair user denied people many opportunities. Judy's legacy includes leading the 1977 Section 504 sit-ins, securing foundational civil rights legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and fostering international disability rights, profoundly changing access to education, employment, and dignity for millions.

“Change never happens at the pace we think it should. It happens over years of people joining together, strategizing, sharing, and pulling all the levers they possibly can. Gradually, excruciatingly slowly, things start to happen, and then suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, something will tip.” -Judy Heumann

Today marks 3 years since Judy’s passing 💜 Every March 4th serves as a reminder to “march forth” in her honor!

Artwork by Avital Dayanim, photo by Shuran Huang
Image Description: Judy Heumann in her wheelchair smiling. Around the photo is a yellow and pink collage with flowers and leaves.

03/10/2026

Join us tomorrow for our Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities presentation!

03/10/2026

💡 : A January 2026 change makes ABLE accounts available to more people. Before, someone’s disability had to begin before age 26 to meet the age requirement for opening an ABLE account. Now, eligibility has expanded to include those whose disabilities started before age 46.

ABLE accounts allow many people with disabilities to save money without losing certain vital supports, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.

Learn more about ABLE accounts at our upcoming presentation, Understanding Social Security Benefits! Register here ➡️ https://loom.ly/KJ0pcj0

ID: A woman with dark brown hair wearing a yellow sweater, smiling and holding her hands up in celebration. The MiABLE logo and Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo; text: ABLE Accounts are now available to more people!

03/09/2026

Hey hey! We recognize these smiling faces! Shoutout to Van Buren Intermediate School District for such a successful event, and thanks for including DNSWM!

Photo ID: Staff members Anne and Holly in the community representing DNSWM at VBISD's Transition Fair today. DNSWM flyers and other informational materials are displayed on the table where they're seated.

03/09/2026

Have questions about Social Security disability benefits? But of course you do!

Don't leave money on the table. Join us on March 17 to find out what Social Security benefits you could be missing at our FREE Understanding Social Security Benefits webinar.

Register here ➡️ https://loom.ly/KJ0pcj0

ID: A laptop displaying a presentation picturing a paper benefit application and titled Understanding Social Security Benefits. A 5 star review is listed with the following text: "This presentation was super helpful for a better understanding of the many different basic needs that can be connected to an ABLE account!" -Webinar Attendee

03/06/2026

Our offices will be closed today, Friday, March 6, for an all-staff Wellness Day. 💙🧡

We believe that caring for our community starts with caring for our team. We’ll return to regular business hours, refreshed and ready to continue supporting our community, on Monday, March 9. Thank you! ☕✨

ID: A white, navy, and orange animated graphic with steaming coffee in a cup displaying the DNSWM logo; text: Employee Wellness Day.

03/05/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone(s) we're thankful for. Today we're shining a light on our Community Education team and all DN staff members who help power our ongoing, free, virtual learning opportunities. We're fortunate to have so many subject matter experts on our team, sharing knowledge on everything from physical accessibility to Social Security benefits to neurodiversity and so much more.

Be sure to check out March's presentations! Register here ➡️ https://loom.ly/03YNsU4

ID: Text: Events this month. March. 10*: Webinar: Accessibility in the Wild: An Introduction to Physical Accessibility, 10:00 to 11:30 AM; 11: Webinar: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities, 1:30 to 3:00 PM; 17: Webinar: Understanding Social Security Benefits, 3:00 to 4:30. 26*: Accessibility in the Wild: An Introduction to Physical Accessibility, 1:30 to 3:00 PM. *Indicates a new event.

03/04/2026

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community.

When we think of menus, we usually think choices… but for some people, menus are a barrier. 👀 Anna saw that and hand-crafted a braille menu at Latitude 42, making sure everyone can participate in the joy of choosing their meal. What a great example of a small change that makes a world of difference!

Learn how one person’s care reshapes the dining experience for many - and be sure to keep an eye out for the DNSWM mention! 👉 https://loom.ly/CxoQPFA

Link preview: An article on NowKalamazoo.org, reading "This menu means more than food options." A photo displays a Braille Latitude 42 beer menu decorated with winter-themed drawings.

The new braille menu at Latitude 42 is made by an employee who felt the status quo, for blind diners everywhere, wasn’t enough. This compassionate, lifelong learner is just getting started.