Disability Network Southwest Michigan

09/02/2026

Stay safe out there! 😅

🌡️ 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬 – Wednesday, September 2 | Noon until 8:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the Kalamazoo area from Noon today until 8:00 p.m. tonight.
What to expect:
🌡️ Afternoon temperatures in the high 80's to low 90's
💧 High humidity will push heat index values to high 90's to 100
⛈️ Temperatures are expected to trend cooler during the early morning hours of Thursday.

Hot temperatures combined with high humidity can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses, especially for older adults, young children, those with chronic medical conditions, and anyone working or exercising outdoors.

Stay safe during the heat:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and seek shade when outside.
Check on elderly family members, neighbors, and others who may be more vulnerable to the heat.
Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Ensure pets have access to fresh water and shade.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If someone is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

City of Kalamazoo Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as needed. Please stay weather aware and take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors.

09/02/2026

: Every Wednesday, we share good things happening here at DN and in our community.

We're excited to once again partner with United Way of South Central Michigan for the 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge!

Throughout October, participants will receive content directly to their inboxes that encourages them to learn more about disability, challenge common assumptions, and see disability from new perspectives.

This opportunity is for people with disabilities, people who know people with disabilities, and those who want to better understand the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities. We hope you'll join us!

📅 October 2026
💻 Free & virtual (about 10-15 minutes daily)
📧 Content delivered throughout the month

👉 Register today: https://loom.ly/lBE6x-Y

Note: The registration system uses a "ticketing" format, but there is no cost to participate. This is a free virtual experience delivered through email throughout October.

ID: Logos for United Way of South Central Michigan and Disability Network Southwest Michigan. Text: October 2026. 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge.

09/01/2026

It's !

Back-to-school season is a great time to remember that every student learns, communicates, and experiences the world differently.

Instead of making assumptions about what a student can or can't do, ask what supports help them succeed.

Sometimes the simplest question can make all the difference: "What do you need?"

ID: Text: Tip Tuesday. Don’t assume what students can or can’t do. Ask: “What do you need?”

08/28/2026

Your questions, your feedback, your voice.

Join us virtually or in person for a conversation with Consumers Energy about programs, services, and the experiences of people with disabilities.

These conversations are an opportunity to learn about available resources, ask questions, and share experiences directly with Consumers Energy representatives.

Please register for one conversation, not both.
📍 In person: September 23, 5:30–7:30 PM
💻 Virtual: September 29, 5:30–7:30 PM

Registration is required. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card.
🔗 Registration & details: https://loom.ly/O02lYP8

ID: A group of people in a circle with their hands stacked together in the center; several young people in discussion, one holding a tablet; Consumers Energy logo and DNSWM logo. Text: Questions. Experiences. Feedback. Impact.

08/27/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for.

doesn’t belong to us. It belongs in the conversation everywhere.

We’re grateful for everyone who has shared our campaign, used materials, joined the conversation, and helped bring disability into spaces where it belongs. These efforts help spread the message that disability is not uncommon!

Thank you for helping us keep going!

ID: Screengrab of DNSWM staff member Max using a virtual background during a Zoom meeting.

08/25/2026

: Keep learning about disability!

One way to better understand disability and challenge the assumptions we may have is to take time to learn from people with disabilities and explore how disability is understood in our communities.

That’s why we’re beyond excited to once again partner with United Way of South Central Michigan on the 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge this October. This free, virtual challenge offers 21 days of curated content and guided discussion focused on disability.

📚 Ready to learn something new? Check out the original post for more information and to register!

United Way of South Central Michigan, in partnership with Disability Network Southwest Michigan, is again offering our 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge (Register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/n2xzj8y ). Through curated content and guided discussion, this effort will explore disability from a position of equity and pride to raise awareness, increase understanding, and shift perspectives about disability in our culture.

*Please note, the registration system requires a "ticketing" approach, but this is a free, virtual event for email communications for the month of October.*

08/24/2026

Michigan’s Autistic Community deserves to be heard. 🗣️

If you’re Autistic, consider taking the Autistic Needs Survey created by our friends at the Michigan Autistic Adult Advisory Committee (MiA3) and share your experiences. Your input can help inform what support and resources are needed across Michigan!

08/21/2026

Today is National Senior Citizens Day! At DNSWM, we're so fortunate to be connected to some amazing seniors.

As we age, many of us will experience changes with our bodies, physical abilities, and independence. In fact, disability is something that can become part of any of our lives at any age. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to make their own choices, stay connected to their community, and live life on their own terms — at every age.

Thank you to the older adults in our community for all that you have done and continue to do. 💙

ID 1: Customer Michael L. wearing a tan shirt and sunglasses, holding the Bob Davis Independent Living Award at this year's ADA Celebration.
ID 2: Customer Chief wearing a black shirt, a tan vest, and glasses, seated in a wheelchair while speaking into a microphone at last year's ADA Celebration.
ID 3: Longtime volunteer Sharon wearing a black shirt and seated in a power scooter at this year's ADA Celebration.

08/20/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for.

Today we're incredibly grateful to the first-year students from Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine who recently shared their time and talents with DNSWM! 💙

Ten students put in a combined 40 hours researching changes in peer support groups across our eight-county service area. They helped us check for updates, find all new groups, and identify ways we can make our peer support resources even more useful.

Thank you, WMed students, for sharing your time, energy, and fresh perspective with DNSWM! We appreciate your commitment to learning about and supporting our community. 👏

ID 1: Five med students wearing black W Medicine shirts stand with President & CEO Kelley Kellis outside DNSWM's Kalamazoo office.
ID 2: Selfie of five med students wearing black W Medicine shirts, standing with President & CEO Kelley Kellis and staff member Allison outside DNSWM's Kalamazoo office.

08/20/2026

This is what community support makes possible. 💙

Thanks to the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors and the BCAAR Grant Fund, a local resident now has a safe, accessible way to get in and out of her home.

Support from community partners like BCAAR helps make our work possible, allowing us to remove barriers, create greater independence, and help people with disabilities stay connected to their communities.

We’re grateful for BCAAR’s investment in a more accessible community!

🌟 BCAAR Grant Spotlight: Creating Greater Independence for People with Disabilities

With support from the BCAAR Grant Fund, Disability Network Southwest Michigan helped provide a safe, accessible home entryway ramp for a local resident with mobility needs. The funding, combined with support from another grant, helped make it possible for a 72-year-old Albion woman living with cancer to safely enter and leave her home.

Beyond the support made possible by the BCAAR grant, DNSWM’s Battle Creek Area Independent Living Initiative focuses on removing barriers to independent living, including housing, transportation, and access to assistive devices and home modifications.

• A safe, ADA-compliant ramp provided greater accessibility and independence
• The ramp allows the resident to safely leave and return home for healthcare, work, and community activities
• The Ramp Up program helps people with disabilities participate more fully in their communities

📣 2027 BCAAR Grant Applications Coming Later This Year!