Disability Network Lakeshore

03/13/2026

On March 12, 1990, disabled activists took direct action on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. After leaving their wheelchairs behind, they pulled themselves up all 83 steps to demand passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Just months later, the ADA became law — a landmark moment for disability rights in the United States.

As we reflect on the history of disability advocacy, we honor the activists whose courage helped move our country toward greater accessibility and inclusion.

03/12/2026

Your voice matters. 💙

We’re gathering feedback from people with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan Counties to better understand where support is needed most.

We want to hear directly from you about:

✅ Service gaps
✅ Barriers you experience
✅ Areas where additional support would make a difference

Your input will help guide the development of our programs and strengthen community-based Independent Living supports.

If you are a person with a disability—or care for someone with a disability—we would truly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to participate.

🔗 Take the survey here:
https://ow.ly/x4Q250YpObX

Please share this post so we can reach as many voices as possible.

03/11/2026

We’re excited to share that our FY 2025 Annual Report is live!

This year brought real challenges for many in our community, yet we continued to show up — prioritizing access, protecting inclusion and walking alongside individuals facing housing instability, employment barriers and complex systems.

Because of your support, we remained steady in our mission. In a year when many pulled back, you helped us lean in, ensuring our neighbors with disabilities were connected, valued and not overlooked. Thank you for standing with us!

👉 Explore the full report: https://ow.ly/6QlM50YoKCm

Inside, you’ll find:

🌟 Key achievements
📈 Impactful outcomes
🤝 Community voices

Whether you’re a partner, supporter or curious community member — this report is for you. Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and look ahead!

03/10/2026

We’re excited to be part of the 2026 Allegan County Gives Volunteer Fair on Thursday, March 19, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at The Silo in Allegan!

If you’re looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities across Allegan County, this is the place to be. Stop by our table to learn more about our mission, the impact we’re making and how you can get involved.

We can’t wait to connect with you — see you there!

03/09/2026

Two Weeks Left to Nominate! ⏰

Nominations for our 2026 Ability Award close on March 20, 2026 — and we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to recognize someone making real change in our community.

The Ability Award honors a person, organization or business that lives or works in Ottawa or Allegan County and is helping people with disabilities live the lives they choose — with access, dignity and belonging.

We’re looking for nominees who:

✅ Remove barriers
✅ Improve access in tangible ways
✅ Expand leadership and participation
✅ Partner with people with disabilities, not just serve them
✅ Shift attitudes, systems and practices
✅ Respect choice, voice and self-direction
✅ Create change that lasts

Strong nominations include specific examples and clear impact. Tell us what they did. Tell us how it made a difference. Tell us why it matters.

To be eligible, nominees must live or work in Ottawa or Allegan County.

All nominees will be invited to attend the Ability Award Gala on May 21, 2026 and will be collectively recognized.

If someone in Ottawa or Allegan Counties is building belonging and expanding access, now is the time to nominate them.

🗓️ Deadline: March 20, 2026

👉 Submit a nomination here:
https://ow.ly/OX2p50Yj0Yp

03/08/2026

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, leadership and achievements of women around the world — and we proudly recognize the powerful contributions of women with disabilities who continue to shape our communities, break barriers and redefine what leadership looks like.

Women with disabilities have long been at the forefront of advocacy and change. Leaders like Judy Heumann, known as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” helped lead the fight for disability rights legislation that transformed access and inclusion across the country. Fannie Lou Hamer, who lived with the lasting effects of polio, was a fearless advocate for voting rights and justice. Their courage reminds us that empowered women create empowered movements.

Right here in our own community, women with disabilities are leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers and advocates. They serve on boards, mentor youth, influence policy and strengthen families. Their voices, lived experiences and leadership make our community more inclusive, more resilient and more compassionate.

At Disability Network Lakeshore, we believe that when women with disabilities are empowered, the entire community benefits. Today, we celebrate their achievements — and we recommit to advancing equity, accessibility and opportunity for all.

Join us in honoring the women who lead, inspire and advocate every day.

03/06/2026

Happy Employee Appreciation Day!

Today, we’re celebrating our incredible team. Every day, our staff leads with purpose, empowers the people we serve and fosters communities where everyone belongs. Their dedication, compassion and commitment to accessibility and inclusion make a meaningful difference across West Michigan.

To show our appreciation, we treated our team to a catered lunch from Beachwood Grill immediately following our staff meeting earlier this week — a small thank you for the big impact they make every single day.

To our amazing employees: we see you, we value you and we are so grateful for all that you do. 💙

03/05/2026

Managing money on a limited income can feel overwhelming but the right tools can make a real difference.

Our latest blog post, “Living on Less,” shares practical strategies for creating a workable budget, organizing bills and building confidence with your finances. From simple budget forms to bill calendars, these tools can help you stay on track and reduce stress.

Read the full post here:
https://ow.ly/JsnR50YhEEE

If you would like to learn more about creating a budget and using tools like budget forms and bill calendars to manage your money, contact us today at 616-396-5326. We're here to help!

Learn how to manage bills on Social Security using a simple bill calendar and budget sheet. Living on less is hard, but it is possible.

03/04/2026

Please join us in welcoming Jessica to the team!

Jessica joins us as an Independent Living Specialist and brings a deep passion for disability advocacy, accessibility and empowering others. She works closely with disabled individuals, families and community partners to build independent living skills and foster meaningful community inclusion.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations with double minors in disability studies & community inclusion and event management. With experience in nonprofit advocacy and advancing disability rights, Jessica is committed to honoring each person’s unique story and goals.

Outside of work, you’ll find Jessica spending time with friends and her service dog, Emerson. She loves music, reading, road trips and concerts and is always planning her next adventure — especially if travel is involved.

Jessica is excited to collaborate, learn and grow while supporting individuals in achieving their goals and creating positive change in our community. We’re thrilled to have her with us!

03/03/2026

Are you looking for a meaningful summer job?

We're hiring Job Coaches for our 2026 Summer Work Program!

If you’re an educator on summer break or a college student studying education, social work, human services, disability studies or a related field, this is an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience while making a real impact.

As a Job Coach, you’ll:

✅ Support youth with disabilities in community job placements
✅ Help build confidence and workplace skills
✅ Empower participants to succeed and belong in their workplaces
✅ Make a lasting difference in someone’s future

This role is perfect for those preparing to enter the workforce and wanting practical, resume-building experience in education and disability services.

Join us in building inclusive workplaces and empowering the next generation of leaders.

📌 Learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/3Flr50YoBj2

Tag someone in the comments who would be a great fit!

03/02/2026

📢 Leadership Opportunity Alert!

The Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (MISILC) will have up to four voting member seats open by the end of this year, and they are looking for strong consumer voices at the table!

We know our community is full of passionate leaders ready to make a difference. This is your chance to step into a meaningful disability leadership role and help shape policies that impact independent living and community inclusion across our state.

If you are someone who:

✅ Is passionate about disability rights
✅ Wants to influence statewide systems change
✅ Is ready to serve in a leadership capacity

We encourage you to apply!

📌 Apply here:
https://ow.ly/HoKM50YiRcJ

📌 Learn more about what SILCs do:
https://ow.ly/JTMt50YiRcG

Let’s make sure consumer voices are represented where decisions are made. 💪

02/28/2026

Self-care isn’t just about productivity — it’s also about joy and rest. 🛀

Winter is a great time to explore adaptive hobbies like audiobooks, accessible crafts, music, podcasts, journaling with speech-to-text, or tactile activities. Making time for rest, creativity, and connection supports emotional well-being and helps prevent burnout. 🎨

Wellness means finding balance that works for you — mind, body, and independence, all year long. ✨