Disability Network Southwest Michigan

04/06/2026

! Every first Monday of the month we'll introduce you to someone on our team. Today we're introducing you to Jackie, Director of Advocacy & Independent Living Services.

Something Jackie loves about DNSWM is her team. She has a lot of pride in the way they collaborate and work together, all to support customers in achieving greater independence and meeting their goals. She noted that, collectively, the team members have 68 years of experience working to change lives in our community! 🤩

A fun fact about Jackie is that she used to own a health food store in Benton Harbor! We're so glad she moved on to human services and DNSWM, because advocacy and changing people's lives is what Jackie truly does best.

ID: Staff member Jackie, a white woman with grey hair and glasses, sitting outside. Text: Spotlight on Our Dedicated Team. Jackie Curtis, Director of Advocacy & Independent Living Services. "The thing I love about working at DN is working with a great team, walking alongside our customers as they reach their goals. In 2026, our team will collectively have 68 years working together, changing lives. Got to love that!"

04/03/2026

Happy Friday! Check out all we have going on throughout April, including a brand-new presentation called Supporting People with Autism.
We'll see you there! ➡️ https://loom.ly/03YNsU4

ID: Text: Events this month. April. *Indicates a new event. 8: Webinar: Intro to Neurodiversity, 2:00 to 4:00 PM; 14*: Webinar: Supporting Autistic People (New!), 10:00 to 11:30 AM; 15: Webinar: Do’s & Don’ts Assistance Animals, 2:30 to 4:00 PM; 23: Webinar: Do’s & Don’ts Assistance Animals, 10:00 to 11:30 AM; 30*: Webinar: Supporting Autistic People (New!), 2:30 to 4:00 PM.

04/03/2026

Mark your calendars for an accessible community event next weekend, the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival! This is a multi-day poetry festival that's held every other year and includes guest poets, workshops, readings, craft talks, and other activities. Everyone is invited and the events are free. We'll see you there!

The following festival events will have ASL interpretation:
💠 Celebration of Community Poets - April 9, 2026, 6:30-8:30 PM at Crawlspace Comedy Theatre
💠 Finale Reading and Reception - April 11, 2026, 5:00-7:00 PM at Cori Terry Theatre and Black Arts and Cultural Center located inside the Epic Center

ID: A woman reading from her phone, sharing poetry into a microphone; text: Upcoming Accessible Event. Kalamazoo Poetry Festival. ASL interpretation for 4/9 & 4/11 events!

04/02/2026

We must have a thing for starting peer support groups in April - specifically April 1st. Yesterday, DNSWM's Disability+ Connect Peer Support Group turned one year old! 🥳🤩🎉 This group, facilitated by Sarah P. and Jalen, is open to adults with any type of disability.

We asked Sarah what she hopes for the future of the group and she said the following: "I'm looking forward to seeing the group grow! I want to see this group become the group to join when people may not have disability pride, where they can learn more about themselves and the disability community." We love it!

Jalen added, "The best part of this first year has been growing as a facilitator while also being able to watch the group grow. I am very appreciative of Sarah, who always includes me and works to make sure my ideas are heard."

Thank you, Sarah and Jalen, for your energy, your enthusiasm (lookin' at you, Sarah 👀), making this group a reality, and providing yet another opportunity for DNSWM customers to experience genuine peer support! Congrats on one year in the books! 💙🧡

Learn more ➡️ https://loom.ly/94OoL_M
ID: A gold number 1 balloon and gold confetti; text: Celebrating 1 Year! Disability+ Connect Peer Support Group.

04/02/2026

When someone on your team is referred to as "Southwest Michigan’s own Mother Teresa," you have to flex a little bit! Please join us in congratulating our very own Cindy on being named one of the 2026 Benton Spirit Women of the Year.

This recognition is a testament to Cindy's unwavering commitment to our community and the difference she makes through her work each day. We are proud to have her as part of our team and grateful for the passion she has for the DN mission. Congratulations, Cindy, on this well-earned honor! 🌟🏆



Link preview: Cindy, seated at her desk. https://loom.ly/P4vNMSA

Benton Harbor and Southwest Michigan Newspaper

04/01/2026

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community.

Today we’re proudly celebrating five years of Disability Network Southwest Michigan's Autistic Adult Peer Support Group (no joke!). 🥳🎉

Peer Support is at the heart of what we do here at DNSWM. For five years, this group has created space for connection, shared experiences, and support. Congrats to Community Education Coordinator, Max, for bringing this group to life! ♾️🩷

Learn more: https://loom.ly/94OoL_M

ID 1: A rainbow colored infinity symbol. A black background with teal and white lettering; text: Celebrating 5 years! Autistic Adult Peer Support Group.
ID 2: Headshot of a white, non-binary person with bright blue and pink hair; text: “It has been an honor and a pleasure to create a space of connection, self-discovery, and empowerment for other Autistic adults these past 5 years.” -Max, Facilitator.

03/26/2026

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

Today we’re thankful for ideas that start small and change everything! 🌍

When one Michigan husband saw his wife losing mobility due to multiple sclerosis, he didn’t just accept it; he got to work in the garage.

More than 50 years ago, Al Thieme of Saginaw, MI, invented the Amigo mobility scooter. His single act of care has transformed mobility, helping people around the world navigate their daily lives with more independence and autonomy.

Read about Al Thieme's legacy here: https://loom.ly/TfgRj7E

ID: Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo; text: Thankful Thursday. Today we’re thankful for ideas that start small and change everything!

03/25/2026

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community.

We're quickly approaching World Autism Acceptance Month in April! We have multiple FREE upcoming presentations related to Autism and neurodiversity. These presentations have fantastic content that's relevant to parents, teachers, support persons, and Autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Be sure to register asap to hold your spot!

Intro to Neurodiversity
♾️ April 8, 2:00-4:00 PM. Register here: https://loom.ly/S3r9dWg

Supporting Autistic People (Brand new!)
♾️ April 14, 10:00-11:30 AM. Register here: https://loom.ly/YQoVXkw
♾️ April 30, 2:30-4:00 PM. Register here: https://loom.ly/Q-gYlgk

Link preview ID: A rainbow colored infinity symbol.

03/25/2026

We love this post from our friends at MRC Industries, Inc., reminding us that not all disabilities are visible! ☀️

ID: A semi-transparent image of two women sitting on a cement step outside of a doorway. Text: Myth vs fact. Myth: All disabilities are visible. Fact: Many disabilities, such as chronic pain, mental illness, or cognitive disabilities, are not immediately apparent.

Myth: All disabilities are visible.

Fact: Many disabilities are not immediately apparent. Chronic pain, mental illness, cognitive disabilities, autoimmune conditions, and more can exist without any outward signs.

Let’s choose empathy over assumptions and kindness over judgment. Invisible disabilities are still real, valid, and deserving of understanding and support.

03/24/2026

: On Tuesdays we share a tip or fact about the to give better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

March is month. Here are a few realities about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs):
🧠 Every 9 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury.
🧠 At least 64 million Americans have experienced a brain injury.
🧠 The average life expectancy of people with a TBI is 9 years shorter.
🧠 Every year, 1 in 10 children experiences a TBI.

Disability Network believes in the power of peer connection, and our Brain Injury Survivors Support Group provides exactly that. If you or someone you know has experienced a TBI, let them know about this resource.

Link preview ID: DNSWM logo; text: Our Peer Support Groups - Disability Network Southwest Michigan.
https://loom.ly/94OoL_M

DNSWM Peer Support Groups Autistic Adult Peer Support Group This group provides an opportunity for Autistic adults to enjoy authentic social interactions and build genuine…

03/19/2026

: On Thursdays we highlight something or someone we're thankful for. Today we're celebrating the activists who came before us, paving the way for governmentally protected rights for people with disabilities. ♿

Last week was the anniversary of the March 12, 1990, Capital Crawl. Over 60 disability rights activists left their wheelchairs, crutches, and mobility devices at the bottom of the US Capitol steps and crawled up all 83 steps to demand passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This powerful act of civil disobedience became known as the Capitol Crawl, and it helped push Congress to finally take action on the ADA just months later.

Check out this short on the 8-year-old capitol crawler: https://loom.ly/1jTthv8

On March 12, 1990, something extraordinary happened on the steps of the United States Capitol building: dozens of disabled activists parked their wheelchairs...

03/18/2026

Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community. Today's post is about sharing our stories.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is highlighting stories about the unique journeys of the Brain Injury Community. Everyone affected by brain injury has a story to tell, and no matter where you are on your brain injury journey, your story deserves to be told.

Submit your story via the following link for a chance to be featured on the BIAA Brain Injury Journey stories page: https://loom.ly/AjVKRXM

ID: BIAA logo and a brain icon; Green and white text on a dark blue background that reads: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.