Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute

10/15/2026

10/14/2026

Have you heard about Independent Facilitation and want to know more?
Do you want to use an Independent Facilitator in your next Person-Centered Plan? Have you thought about becoming a trained Independent Facilitator?

This free webinar is for you!

Who Should Attend?

People with disabilities, family members, case managers, and anyone who wants to learn more about Independent Facilitation.

This webinar is offered as a 1 Credit Hour General Social Work Continuing Education (CE) Credit.

Date and Time
November 11th, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location
Online through Zoom

Register by visiting the link in our bio

10/08/2026

Have you heard about Independent Facilitation and want to know more?
Do you want to use an Independent Facilitator in your next Person-Centered Plan? Have you thought about becoming a trained Independent Facilitator?

This free webinar is for you!

Who Should Attend?

People with disabilities, family members, case managers, and anyone who wants to learn more about Independent Facilitation.

This webinar is offered as a 1 Credit Hour General Social Work Continuing Education (CE) Credit.

Date and Time
November 11th, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location
Online through Zoom

Register by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to "Community Supports"

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

Each year we seek your feedback regarding issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities in Michigan.

This process helps us reevaluate our focus areas and adjust them as needed. Your feedback guides our work as we design advocacy services.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FocusSurveyFY27

The comment period is active for 30 days.

You can also mail or fax the survey.
FAX: (517) 487-0827

MAIL:
Disability Rights Michigan
4095 Legacy Pkwy.
Lansing, MI 48911

10/07/2026

Join the Michigan Department of Civil Rights as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! During this engaging webinar, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Job Accommodation Network will discuss disability disclosure and workplace accommodations. Disability rights advocates will also share their personal experiences with navigating workplace accommodations. Job seekers, employees, and employers will find value in this session.

📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
🕒 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
📍Virtual Via Zoom | Registration here: https://ow.ly/6jt650ZMF2o
This year's theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent: Personal Journeys in Navigating Workplace Accommodations”

ASL interpreting services will be provided by Sarah Houston and Yakata Nichols along with live CART captioning. If a different accommodation is required, please e-mail Tiara McKenzie at [email protected] by no later than October 1, 2026.

10/01/2026

Assistive technology (AT) offers a range of tools that can help whether you are voting by mail or in-person. Here are a few options that may help, depending on your needs and how you choose to vote.

Low-Tech: Pen Grips & Writing Aids
Simple tools like pen grips and writing aids can make holding and using a pen easier. These options may be helpful for voters who have difficulty with grip, hand strength, or fine motor tasks. There are many different types available for pen grips and writing aids to see which one works best for you.

Mid-Tech: Handheld Lighted Magnifiers
Handheld magnifiers can make printed information easier to see. They are a simple option for voters who need a visual support when reading their ballot or other voting materials. This can be useful if you are voting in person or mailing in your ballot. There are all sorts of magnifier options, lighted ones which make it even easier for many to read the ballot.

High tech: The Voter Assist Terminal (VAT)
If you are voting in person, you are able to use the Voter Assist Terminal or VAT for short. The VAT is an accessible, touch-screen device available for voters to mark and print their ballots in Michigan elections. The VAT can help those with disabilities vote in privately and without assistance. Every polling place is required to have a VAT set up for those who want to use it. You do not need to disclose a disability to use the VAT, it is available for all voters, whether they identify as disabled or not. You just need to ask to use the VAT when you arrive at your polling location.

There are three types of VAT equipment available depending on your county, the ES &S Express Vote, the Hart Verity Touch Writer, and the Liberty Vote ImageCast ICX. To determine what system your county is using for their VAT, there is an index available here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/VotingMachineVendor/Index

To learn how to use the VAT, Michigan's official voting-equipment page has video walkthroughs for all three VAT systems used in Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/voters/voting-equipment

Voting looks different for everyone, and having the right tools can make the process easier and more accessible. Contact us for a demonstration if you are looking for AT to make voting process easier by using the button below or by emailing [email protected].

[Image description: AT for Voting graphic, with the MATP logo, a picture of a writing bird with a pencil, a handheld lighted magnifier and a VAT. Text: Assistive Technology (AT) for voting. Whether you vote by mail or in person, there may be AT options that can make the process easier. Low-Tech: Pen grips and writing aids. Simple tools like pen grips and writing aids can make holding and using a pen easier. Mid-Tech: Handheld lighted magnifiers. Handheld magnifiers can make printed information easier to see. High-Tech: The Voter Assist Terminal (VAT). The Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) is an accessible, touch-screen device that allows voters to mark and print their ballots.]

09/30/2026

Are you or someone you know living with disabilities and thinking about living alone or becoming more independent?

Today, join MI-DDI’s Community Transition Trainers (CTT) for a FREE virtual session designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to explore independent living.

Whether you're planning to move out, looking for more control in your current living situation, or just want to learn about your options, this session is for you!

Hear from others with lived experiences, ask questions, and get helpful insights on living in the community.

Today, September 30th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Register by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to community supports

09/29/2026

You’ve Been Appointed Guardian. Now What?

MI SIBS is hosting a free webinar, “Guardianship: A Practical Roadmap for Supporting an Adult Sibling with Disabilities,” on Wednesday, October 28th, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Eastern.

The webinar will cover some of the first steps to take after becoming a guardian, including understanding your legal responsibilities, finding professionals and resources, honoring your sibling’s voice and independence, navigating the guardian-sibling relationship, and planning for the future.

Interested in attending? Visit the link in our bio and scroll down to "Partner Events, Studies, Webinars"

The webinar is free and presented by Michele P. Fuller, Esq., Joy Nagy Wilkins, and Charlene M. Distler.

09/29/2026

MI-DDI is recruiting families to participate in a project that helps train future medical professionals on family-centered practices!

We're collaborating with the Wayne State University - School of Medicine to train medical students to improve their ability to understand the unique needs of families who have children with disabilities. Your family will help prepare the professional physicians of tomorrow.

Requirements
To participate, you must:
- Have a child with a disability under the age of 26

- Partake in 45-minute to 1-hour virtual or in-person home meetings. Medical students will provide two virtual or in-person home visits with your family.

Compensation:

For your participation, you will receive:
- A $75 stipend for participating
- A confidential family quality of life assessment
- Information about resources to assist your family
- A small gift for your child for participating

Interested in Participating?

If your family is interested in participating, please visit the link in our bio and scroll down to the Disability Health Advocate Interest (DHAI) section

You can also express your interest by contacting the following person via email:

Nia Anderson, LMSW
Email: [email protected]