Disability Network Michigan (DNM) represents Michigan’s 15 Centers for Independent Living (CILs). DNM is a unified voice for advocacy, resources, and expertise; it is your first step in learning more about what independent living is and how people with disabilities can achieve their goal to be their own decision makers.
On behalf of its members, DNM focuses on connecting individuals, businesses, governments with tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.
People with disabilities and older adults have the same opportunities as everyone else to:
For media and any media-related information, please contact Teri Langley, our Director of Community Relations.
LANSING—Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law House Bills 4075 and 4076, sponsored by State Rep. Beau LaFave. The new laws update signs used to designate parking spaces for people with disabilities. Specifically, Public Acts 182 and 183 of 2022 will establish a design that better represents those who use wheelchairs or need mobility assistance, as well as remove the word “handicapped” from the sign.
Disability Network/Michigan (DN/M), an organization whose members advocate for independent living for people with disabilities, has worked for several years to address the current design, adopted in 1969. View the full press release here.
On February 4, 2022, Michigan Attorney General Nessel issued an opinion that ensures access to meetings should continue for all Michigan residents.
Disability Network/Michigan believes that participation in our government is a fundamental key to democracy. “All citizens should have access to their government and the Attorney General’s opinion highlights that,” said Lori A. Hill-Sanders, President of Disability Network/Michigan Board of Directors. Disability Network/Michigan is committed to eliminating barriers at the local, state, and national levels for all citizens. Continuing these accessible and inclusive practices ensures that every voice is heard; this is true inclusion.
Follow this link to read Attorney General Nessel’s press release.
LANSING—The disability community is one of the largest marginalized groups in Michigan with 18% of residents living with a disability. People with disabilities have been navigating physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers in society for decades. Too often, barriers in the physical and programmatic environment make it difficult for people with disabilities to access facilities and services and create segregated communities and feelings of isolation.
The COVID-19 pandemic created physical and programmatic barriers for everyone – not just those with disabilities. As a result, we were all forced to redefine how work got done, whether it was in our schools, offices or government. As the pandemic highlighted the need for safety for everyone, technology played an integral role in balancing that need with the importance of accessibility. Today, Attorney General Nessel issued an opinion that ensures access to meetings should continue for all Michigan residents.
“Participation in our government is a fundamental key to democracy. All citizens should have access to their government and today’s Attorney General opinion highlights that,” said Lori A. Hill-Sanders, President of Disability Network/Michigan Board of Directors and Executive Director of Disability Network Wayne County Detroit.
“Disability Network/Michigan is committed to eliminating barriers at the local, state, and national levels for all citizens,” said Hill-Sanders. “Continuing these accessible and inclusive practices ensures that every voice is heard; this is true inclusion.”
The Disability Network/Michigan represents the collective voice of Michigan’s 15 Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Its focus is on leadership development, relationship building, effective communication and mobilizing around issues that will have the greatest impact on delivering high-quality independent living services to people with disabilities.
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