Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute

12/17/2025

Disability Rights Michigan is taking entries for their 2025 Ernie Reynolds's Essay Contest.

Tell a story of how you or someone you know has overcome barriers and advocated for success.

Prize offer:
1st Place: $300
2nd Place: $200
3rd Place: $100

Deadline: January 9, 2026

Learn more below

Ernie Reynolds Essay Contest 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/82caac9923c7/aprilnews-17457603

12/16/2025

Webinar Alert!

Wednesday, December 17th
4:00pm - 5:00pm ET
Free to attend; registration is required
Link to register is in first comment

Join NACDD for a community webinar that will provide an overview of changes to Medicaid stemming from the 2025 reconciliation law, based on KFF's recent report "States' Management of Medicaid Home Care Spending Ahead of H.R. 1 Effects." The report will be presented by KFF, a non-partisan information organization.

Zoom captioning is available for this event. If you require other accommodations to participate, please detail them in your registration. We will have the most success fulfilling your accommodation requests if they are submitted by December 10th.

12/16/2025

New Survey Opportunity!

The State of Michigan wants to better understand what adults with disabilities need when looking for information or support with to***co. Whether you use to***co or have never used it, your input is important!

Who Can Take the Survey?
✔ Adults 18+ with any disability
✔ Michigan residents

Why Participate?
Your feedback will help Michigan create better, more accessible to***co-related resources for YOU and YOUR community.

Take the Survey Here: tinyurl.com/mito***cosurvey

[Alt Text]Close-up of a person’s hands holding a pen and signing a printed document on a clipboard, wearing a tan coat.

12/16/2025

The survey closes on Saturday, and only takes a few minutes to fill out! Thank you for your support!

Are you a person with disabilities who uses Assistive Technology (AT) tools in your daily life? Take our survey to share how you use AT and challenges you have experienced. We want to hear from you to learn how to make it easier to get AT tools to individuals with disabilities across Michigan.

This survey will remain open until December 19th! Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PF2QJVR

[ID: A tablet and a phone on a table. They have a voice assistant on their screen, text on screen: Hi! How can I help you? Text: Do you use assistive technology (AT) Tools? Take our survey!]

12/16/2025

12/16/2025

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

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.

Thursday, January 29th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2acbts

[Alt Text] Promotional graphic for a “Community Transition Trainers” online workshop. The image shows two adults smiling and taking a selfie at a social gathering; one person is seated in a wheelchair and holding a drink, the other is standing beside them holding a phone. Other people and a patio heater appear in the background. Text on the left reads “Community Transition Trainers.” Text at the bottom reads “Online Workshop on Living Independently with a Disability” and “January 29th, 1–2 PM.” A simple house icon appears in the top right, and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI DDI) logo appears in the bottom right.

12/16/2025

Get the details about the MiABLE Disability Savings Program. Join us for our next informational session at 6 p.m. tomorrow! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4q6lxXe

12/15/2025

MI-DDI Presents: Independent Facilitation Awareness Webinar

Independent facilitation is part of the person-centered planning process. It assures that there's an ally involved in directing a person-centered planning meeting.

Have you heard about Independent Facilitation and want to learn more?
Are you considering using an Independent Facilitator in your next Person-Centered Plan, or thinking about becoming one yourself?

This free webinar is for you! Our next webinar is:

Date: February 12th, 2026
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM (ET)
Location: Online via Zoom

Register here: https://bit.ly/IFTrngFeb2026

Who should attend:
People with disabilities, family members, Case Managers, and anyone interested in learning more about Independent Facilitation.

Want to learn more? Watch our feature on Independent Facilitation: https://youtu.be/l9VakoQNdCI?si=fs8n4ZiNMe8PHVKe

[Alt Text] Two women sit facing each other in modern black chairs, engaged in conversation. One woman with blonde hair in a bun and black cat-eye glasses gestures as she speaks, while the other woman with short hair listens attentively. A potted plant and a bright, minimal interior are visible in the background.

12/15/2025

The Ernie Reynolds Essay Contest is closing soon!

Tell us how you or someone you know has overcome barriers and advocated for success.

Prizes
1st: $300
2nd: $200
3rd: $100

Deadline: January 9, 2026

Learn More: https://www.drmich.org/ernie-reynolds-essay-contest/
Submit by email to: tdiebolt@drmich.org

12/15/2025

In 2023, MI-DDI celebrated 40 years of service to the disability community. To honor this milestone, we recorded a series of interviews with individuals who have played key roles in MI-DDI’s development.

These conversations are featured in a three-part podcast series exploring MI-DDI’s past, present, and future. In our latest episode, we focus on the future of our institute and the constantly evolving world of disability.

Listen in to hear insights from our current staff members Angela Martin, Elizabeth Janks, Leonardo Bravo, Michael Bray, and Sharon Milberger.

Follow the link below to listen on your preferred podcast app. Captions and a transcript are also available:

https://fanlink.tv/wSX9

Alt Text: Graphic reading ‘MI-DDI Possibilities 40th Anniversary Edition, Part 3’ on a green background. Below the title are five vertical portrait photos. From left to right: Angela Martin, Elizabeth Janks, Leonardo Bravo, Michael Bray, and Sharon Milberger

12/15/2025

Will I lose my benefits with a MiABLE Account?

No. The law allows people with disabilities to have special accounts for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and certain other public benefits.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more! ➡️ https://bit.ly/48EGh1f

12/10/2025

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) is collaborating with the State of Michigan to better understand what adults with disabilities need when looking for to***co information or support. Whether you use to***co or have never used it, your input is important!

Who Can Take the Survey?
✔ Adults 18+ with any disability
✔ Michigan residents

Why Participate?
Your feedback will help Michigan create more accessible to***co-related resources for the community.

Take the Survey Here: tinyurl.com/mito***cosurvey