Work & Play Disability Community Center

Work & Play Disability Community Center Special needs resource center for people with developmental disabilities of all ages. Think of us as a hub for the special needs community.

The Work and Play Cafe, by Washtenaw County Unique Care Connect, is a special needs resource center providing a central location for therapy, gatherings, and information. Having a resource center simplifies access to things needed to care for someone with developmental disabilities, which is desperately needed in an often complicated life with a child with special needs.

05/21/2026

Hey momma. We see you. Everyone else … nothing will come out of this … maybe with the video … here are the facts.

Children with developmental disabilities are abused at rates 3 to 4 times higher than their peers. Some studies show nearly 1 in 3 disabled children experience some form of abuse before adulthood. Kids who are nonverbal are at even greater risk because they cannot always report what happened in ways the system accepts. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

The highest rates of reported child abuse overall are often found in states with larger child welfare reporting systems like Texas, California, and Florida, but there is no reliable national tracking system specifically for abuse of children with developmental disabilities in schools. That alone should scare people.

The most vulnerable ages are young children ages 0 to 4 and disabled teens ages 12 to 17. These are the years when communication barriers, dependency, isolation, and behavioral misunderstandings are the highest. (Office of Justice Programs)

And here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud.

Almost nothing happens. AND NOTHING HAPPENS.

Schools investigate themselves.
Administrators protect districts.
Cases get buried under “behavior plans.”
Bruises become “incidents.”
Trauma becomes “miscommunication.”
And if your child is nonverbal or intellectually disabled, good luck getting anyone to believe them in court.

People love awareness until accountability starts.

Parents are forced to become detectives, therapists, advocates, lawyers, and witnesses while being told they are “too emotional.”

Children with disabilities deserve the same protection, dignity, and justice as every other child.

Right now, they do not get it. FACTS. Those of you reading this all the way to the end —- you are a hero. Please help us stand up for the most underrepresented and underserved … humans with DD.

✨💖 CHEERABILITIES & DANCEABILITIES 💖✨More than a team. We’re a family. 🖤💗We are looking for athletes interested in joini...
05/18/2026

✨💖 CHEERABILITIES & DANCEABILITIES 💖✨

More than a team. We’re a family. 🖤💗

We are looking for athletes interested in joining our Sparkle & Shine CheerAbilities and DanceAbilities teams through Work and Play Disability Community Center!

These teams are about so much more than cheer and dance.
They are about friendship, confidence, inclusion, teamwork, growth, laughter, and belonging. Every athlete deserves a place to shine — and that’s exactly what we strive to create. ✨

Our athletes range in age and ability, and we welcome individuals with developmental disabilities who want to be part of something special.

📋 Interested in learning more?
Please fill out our interest form here:
https://www.workandplaycenter.org/sparkle-shine-danceabilities-team

📣 PLEASE SHARE!
Help us reach more families by sharing this post with your friends, schools, therapists, support groups, churches, and community organizations. You never know who may be looking for a place where their athlete can truly belong. 💕

05/10/2026

I bet people told Michel Tirabosco or his parents he couldn’t and he said “Hold my juice.”

Just kidding. BRAVOOOOOO!!!!

☀️✨ Meet Adalyn Silva! ✨☀️Adalyn is truly sunshine all wrapped up into one little body. 💛We have seen so much growth in ...
04/30/2026

☀️✨ Meet Adalyn Silva! ✨☀️

Adalyn is truly sunshine all wrapped up into one little body. 💛

We have seen so much growth in this incredible pre-teen. From building confidence to forming lifelong friendships, she continues to shine brighter every season—and we can’t wait to see what she does next! ✨

A huge thank you to her sponsor, Little Town Deli & Pizza in Belleville, for supporting Adalyn and our Sparkle & Shine athletes. Your support means so much to our community! 💖

Adalyn, we are so proud of you—
Good luck at the gala and have the BEST time! 🎉

✨💖 Spotlight Sponsor Shoutout 💖✨We are incredibly grateful to our Spotlight Sponsor, Nu2U… Again!Nu2U… Again is so much ...
04/30/2026

✨💖 Spotlight Sponsor Shoutout 💖✨

We are incredibly grateful to our Spotlight Sponsor, Nu2U… Again!

Nu2U… Again is so much more than a resale store—they are creating real opportunities for individuals with disabilities through meaningful employment, job training, and true community inclusion. And that is exactly the kind of impact we believe in.

Their support helps make programs like DanceAbilities and CheerAbilities possible—giving our girls a place to grow, build confidence, and truly shine. ✨

If you haven’t been, we highly encourage you to check them out and support a business that is making a difference every single day:
👉 https://www.nu2uagainresale.org/

Thank you, Nu2U… Again, for believing in our athletes and investing in a more inclusive community. 💛

💙✨ Supporting the whole person—mind, body, and community. ✨💙We are so grateful for our monthly sponsor, Holistic Healing...
04/29/2026

💙✨ Supporting the whole person—mind, body, and community. ✨💙

We are so grateful for our monthly sponsor, Holistic Healing Center Chiropractic, for their continued support of Work and Play and our Sparkle & Shine athletes!

Holistic Healing Center takes a whole-body approach to care, focusing on nervous system health, chiropractic support, and overall wellness for individuals and families. Their work goes beyond traditional care—they truly understand and support the disability community in a meaningful way.

As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, their passion is personal. Their knowledge, care, and dedication have helped so many individuals make incredible progress—and it shows in the lives they touch every day.

We proudly recommend Holistic Healing Center to our families. They are making a real difference. 💛

👉 Learn more about their services:
https://holistichealingannarbor.com/

Thank you for believing in our athletes and supporting a more inclusive, thriving community! ✨

✨💖 Meet Sydney Dobbin! 💖✨Sydney is one of our amazing Sparkle & Shine CheerAbilities athletes, and she brings so much fu...
04/29/2026

✨💖 Meet Sydney Dobbin! 💖✨

Sydney is one of our amazing Sparkle & Shine CheerAbilities athletes, and she brings so much fun, joy, and energy to the team! 💃✨

She truly dances to her own beat—with so much charisma, personality, and confidence. You can’t help but smile when you watch her perform! 💖

A big thank you to her friends and family for sponsoring her and supporting her journey. Your love and encouragement mean everything! 💛

Sydney, we are so proud of you—
Have the BEST time at the gala! 🎉

💛✨ Community. Support. Growth. ✨💛We are so grateful to A2 Therapy Works for being a Community Sponsor of our Sparkle & S...
04/29/2026

💛✨ Community. Support. Growth. ✨💛

We are so grateful to A2 Therapy Works for being a Community Sponsor of our Sparkle & Shine Celebration & Gala!

A2 Therapy Works truly embodies what it means to support individuals with disabilities and their families. Their dedication to helping children grow, communicate, and thrive is something we see reflected every day in our own athletes.

Our DanceAbilities team is full of girls who are building confidence, strength, and independence—and so much of that journey starts with the kind of support organizations like A2 provide.

On a personal note, A2 Therapy Works has been part of Tessa’s journey since she was little. Their continued support—not just for her, but for everything we are building at Work and Play—means more than we can put into words. 💖

We proudly recommend A2 Therapy Works to our families and community. They are truly making a difference.

👉 Learn more about their incredible work:
https://www.a2therapyworks.com/

✨💖 Growth. Confidence. Courage. 💖✨We are so proud to highlight Elizabeth Cackowski, one of our incredible athletes who i...
04/29/2026

✨💖 Growth. Confidence. Courage. 💖✨

We are so proud to highlight Elizabeth Cackowski, one of our incredible athletes who is part of both our CheerAbilities AND DanceAbilities teams!

Elizabeth has shown tremendous growth this season. She is coming out of her shell, building her confidence, and stepping into her willingness to perform—and it has been such a joy to watch. We are so incredibly proud of her. 💫

A heartfelt thank you to her sponsor,
Expressions Speech Therapy – Candace Cackowski, MA, CCC-SLP,
for supporting Elizabeth and believing in the power of communication, confidence, and growth. 💛

This is what it’s all about—helping our athletes find their voice, their strength, and their place to shine. ✨

Website: https://expressionsspeech.clientsecure.me/

Address

444 N Hewitt Road
Ypsilanti, MI
48197

Telephone

+17347806795

Website

https://www.workandplaycenter.org/work-and-play-center-store

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