Washtenaw ACA

07/08/2026

Summer is prime time for severe weather in Michigan! Michigan Assistive Technology Program has an upcoming webinar on August 11, with important info about preparing for weather and other emergencies.

New training alert! Join us for Tech Tuesday: AT and Emergency Preparedness to learn how to make emergency drills more inclusive and accessible; ways to prepare your home and family for potential emergencies based on your unique language, cultural, and disability related access needs; ideas for how to create your own custom accessible emergency kit; and more! Leave with practical tips and valuable resources to help you and your community stay prepared.

This free lunch and learn is taking place Tuesday August 11th from 12-1:30 p.m. Register here to get access to the resources guide and recording: https://ATandEmergencyPredparedness.eventbrite.com. ASL and CART will also be provided.

[Image description: Flyer with a header that reads, "Tech Tuesday: Assistive Technology (AT) and Emergency Preparedness."

Text: "Join us to learn how to make emergency drills more inclusive and accessible; ways to prepare your home and family for potential emergencies based on your unique language, cultural, and disability related access needs; ideas for how to create your own custom emergency kit; and more! Leave with practical tips and valuable resources to help you and your community stay prepared."

A section labeled "Presenters:" lists:

Priscilla Cano
Bilingual Disability Advocate
(Spanish/English)
Caitlin Hurban, AT Specialist

To the right are circular headshots of Priscilla Cano and Caitlin Hurban outlined in dark purple and magenta.
Below is a calendar icon with the text:
Tuesday, August 11
Noon - 1:30 pm
At the bottom left is the Michigan Assistive Technology Program logo. To the right is the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition logo and name. Text: "Register today! *ASL and CART provided*" is in the bottom right corner.]

06/25/2026

Over 600 disability advocacy orgs across the U.S. have spoken out against moving special education and civil rights responsibilities out of the U.S. Department of Education. Please add your voice today by contacting your members of Congress!

📢 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

TODAY - (June 25) disability and education advocates across the country are urging Congress to speak out against efforts to move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) from the U.S. Department of Education to HHS and transfer education civil rights enforcement responsibilities from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice.

☎️ Take Action

Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and urge them to publicly oppose these transfers and support keeping OSERS and OCR within the U.S. Department of Education.

🔗 Use the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) script and links: https://www.copaa.org/page/TakeAction

Students with disabilities deserve strong protections, strong systems, and meaningful opportunities to succeed.

06/24/2026

Progress in accessibility at the 2026 World Cup! FIFA has devices that use haptic feedback so fans who are blind or low-vision can follow the game in real-time at stadiums.

Blind and low-vision fans now have a new way to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup through haptic devices that let them feel the match in real time. As part of FIFA’s accessibility efforts, the technology brings fans closer to the action and makes the stadium experience more accessible. The devices simulate live matches, with units deployed in stadiums in Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Seattle, and Vancouver for select matches.

Read more: fifa.fans/4gfgnX8.

06/23/2026

On Tuesday, July 7 from 10am-1pm, our friends at Michigan Advocacy Program are holding a free legal clinic in Ypsilanti to answer questions about food or cash assistance, Medicaid, and other MDHHS benefits. Register using the QR code on the flyer, or with this link: https://tinyurl.com/3j96b8w6

We are excited to announce that we will be offering a free legal advice clinic for low-income individuals on the topics of food assistance, cash assistance, Medicaid, and other benefits offered by MDHHS.

Please scan the QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/3j96b8w6 to schedule an appointment.

The clinic will take place on Tuesday, July 7th from 10am-1pm at 15 S. Washington St. Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

06/22/2026

Washtenaw ACA has always stood strong in our belief that people with disabilities have the right to live, love, work and play in their communities! The days of people with disabilities being sent hours away from home to be warehoused and abused belongs in the past.

05/08/2026

Spring is IEP time for many families in Michigan! New guidance from the Michigan Department of Education has information for families and professionals about the different roles and responsibilities of IEP team members.

A new guidance document from Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education gives an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the IEP Team participants.

Meaningful participation by all IEP Team members, especially families, is important to ensure IEPs promote access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

By deepening understanding of each participant’s role, this document supports equitable, student-centered decision-making and fosters strong partnerships, helping every student thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The document is available here:https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/iep/IEP-Roles_Responsibilities.pdf

01/22/2026

♠️♥️ Join us for a Euchre Tournament Fundraiser supporting inclusion! ♦️♣️
Hosted by Washtenaw ACA on Sunday, February 15, from 1–4 PM at Zal Gaz Grotto in Ann Arbor.

🎟️ $20 per person • 🏆 Prizes awarded • 🍿 Snacks provided • 🍺 Cash bar available
Bring your friends—seats are limited!

👉 RSVP by Feb 8: washtenawaca.org/euchre