Disability Advocates

👴👵 This Fall Prevention Awareness Week, we are reminded of the importance of preventing falls among older adults.

Falls don’t have to be a part of aging. Our Home Modification Program helps seniors in Kent, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Osceola counties make necessary adjustments to their homes, ensuring they remain safe and independent. From barrier identification to adaptive equipment, our services are designed to meet your unique needs.

Are you or a loved one over 60 and concerned about living at home safely? Reach out to our Home Assessment team and ask what we might be able to do to help.
https://www.dakc.us/2023/05/home-modification-program/

🏡 ZeroStep is all about creating a functional, accessible, and livable home for you and your family—today and as you age. With nearly 40 years of experience, Disability Advocates is here to help you design a welcoming home environment that meets your needs. From reviewing house plans and offering Universal Design Guidelines to in-home evaluations and referrals to architects and builders, our ZeroStep program has you covered. Let's make your home a place where you can thrive! Learn more about ZeroStep here: https://www.dakc.us/zerostep/

🍂✨ As we welcome fall, let’s also spotlight a critical issue affecting many older adults: falls. September 23-27 marks the 17th annual Fall Prevention Awareness Week (FPAW), a nationwide initiative by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

Falls are a major public health concern, but the good news is, you can take steps to prevent them. At Disability Advocates, we are committed to helping seniors stay safe and independent at home. Our Home Modification Program provides barrier removal, adaptive equipment, and more to enhance safety and support independence.

Need help making your home safer? Contact us to learn about our eligibility requirements and services. Let’s work together to prevent falls and ensure a safe living environment. 💪🏠
https://www.dakc.us/2023/05/home-modification-program/

Thank you for joining us, Emily.

🏠 At Disability Advocates, our Occupational Therapy (OT) team conducts comprehensive home assessments to ensure your environment is perfectly tailored to your unique needs. We recommend adjustments and provide assistive technology—like long-handled reachers, sock aids, hearing amplifiers, and more—often at little to no cost to you. Plus, we offer training to help you make the most of these tools. Your independence and comfort are our priority! Lean more about independent living solutions and our OT program here: https://www.dakc.us/independent-living-solutions-2/

September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages! The UN General Assembly made this proclamation to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in protecting the human rights of people who are deaf.

🧠 Today is World Alzheimer's Day! Let's come together to raise awareness and support those affected by this challenging disease. Advocacy is crucial, not only for Alzheimer's but for all disabilities. By standing up for inclusion, accessibility, and understanding, we can create a world where everyone feels valued and supported.

🏡✨ Occupational Therapy for Independent Living Solutions ✨🏡

Discover a path to greater independence with Disability Advocates! Our Occupational Therapists assess your home environment in Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Mecosta, and Osceola counties to identify barriers and implement personalized plans for accessibility.

Start your journey today by filling out our Occupational Therapy Intake Form: https://www.dakc.us/independent-living-solutions-2/

Together, we can build a more inclusive community! 🤝 Disability Advocates of Kent County is committed to making our community accessible for everyone. By donating, you support our mission to provide essential resources and advocacy for people with disabilities. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive future.

Donate today!

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🏡 The Disability & Senior Inclusive Housing Conference in on MONDAY! Explore how we can create accessible and affordable living spaces for all. The conference will be held at the Kroc Center Campus and features expert-led discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on affordable, inclusive housing solutions for individuals with disabilities and seniors. Don’t miss the keynote by Micalea Connery from The Kelsey and a conversation on housing challenges with Rep. Kristian Grant and Amy Hovey, MSHDA Director.

Be part of the movement toward a more inclusive future!

Did you know that August 21st is National Senior Citizens Day? It's a time where we can celebrate the incredible contributions and wisdom of our senior community. And at Disability Advocates, we're dedicated to helping seniors age safely and comfortably in their own homes. 🏡

Our team of specialists, including occupational therapists, provides personalized home assessments to ensure accessibility and safety. We also have a medical equipment loan closet with more than 1,500 pieces of equipment to ensure that people have the tools they need.

Learn more about DAKC and the home and accessibility services we provide here: https://www.dakc.us/2023/05/home/

Disability Advocates offers interactive programs to help people with disabilities prepare for employment through resume building, networking skills, interview tips, and more. Reach out to DAKC to learn how we can help you gain the confidence and tools for success!

https://www.dakc.us/employment-navigation/

Election Day is just around the corner -- did you know there are over 40 million eligible voters with disabilities in the United States?

The disability community makes up a significant voting bloc, but inaccessible polling places, laws criminalizing voter assistance, limited access to accessible transportation, restrictive guardianship laws, and ableism across the political process prevent many people with disabilities from accessing their right to vote.

That's why every year, the American Association of People with Disabilities' REV UP campaign hosts Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW). https://mailchi.mp/aapd.com/dvrw-2024

DVRW grew out of a nonpartisan grassroots movement in Texas. Since DVRW began in 2016, we’ve gathered every September to acknowledge the systemic barriers that impact disabled voters and advocate to improve election accessibility. We raise the visibility of the disability voting block and connect issues important to our communities to the power of a vote.

DVRW is a national cross-disability, cross-movement week of action. Around the country, organizers will host voter registration drives, disability vote celebrations, candidate forums, and more.

We hope you'll join us for a week of events, actions, and community building. Get engaged in Disability Voting Rights Week by:
1. Go to the Disability Voting Rights Week Mobilize Page https://www.mobilize.us/dvrw-2024/ and find a Disability Voting Rights Week event near you or join a virtual gathering. (Note: the page is currently being updated, so keep checking back for more events!) Hosting an event but don't see it listed on our page? Add your event to the DVRW calendar!
2. Follow along next week for daily action items in our email newsletter and social media.
3. Click "Join the Movement" below to access our 2024 Disability Voting Rights Week toolkit which includes shareable social media graphics, messaging guidance, "My Plan to Vote" templates, and more!

Join the Movement: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScA7oZs56HOuDp4qNYGfH8tR4VPwY2qKRRPUxCrg1OEXzU0ug/viewform

🏡 Clear your calendar on Monday, Sept 23, for the Disability & Senior Inclusive Housing Conference! Explore how we can create accessible and affordable living spaces for all. The conference will be held at the Kroc Center Campus and features expert-led discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on affordable, inclusive housing solutions for individuals with disabilities and seniors. Don’t miss the keynote by Micalea Connery from The Kelsey and a conversation on housing challenges with Rep. Kristian Grant and Amy Hovey, MSHDA Director.

Be part of the movement toward a more inclusive future!

📢 September 7 is World Duchenne Awareness Day! Duchenne is a rare genetic disease that causes muscle degeneration and weakness. Days like today are very important in raising awareness, and this year's theme, ""Raise Your Voice for Duchenne,"" highlights the importance of advocating for equal opportunities for all.

Did you know that September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month? Neuromuscular diseases affect movement and control due to muscle and nerve issues. Left untreated, they can take away basic freedoms like walking, talking, even breathing. Join us this month in raising awareness and supporting accelerated research, advance care, and empowerment of those living with muscular dystrophies.

September is National Service Dog Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to celebrate the impact that service dogs have on the lives of people living with disabilities. These amazing companions provide support, independence, and unconditional love. They make a different every day! 🐾💙

September is Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Awareness Month. It's important that we raise awareness of the severity of spinal cord injuries and the need for research and a cure. We are stronger when we come together to educate each other on the challenges of living with SCI, and understanding that despite the injury, individuals with SCI can like full, productive, and rewarding lives.

The 33rd Annual Blue Goose golf outing was held at Quail Ridge Golf Course in August. What a beautiful day for this group of companies in the restoration business to come together to raise money for multiple charities!

First Picture Description: Our Friends from Kustom posing after a quick game of Bucket Golf.

Second Picture Description: Our Friends from CertaPro posing alongside a Disability Advocate Volunteer.

Happy Labor Day from Disability Advocates of Kent County! The offices will be closed today and will reopen on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 8:30 am.

Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of all Americans, including those with disabilities, who contribute immensely to our workforce, economy, and communities. Your resilience, talent, and determination inspire us every day.

Let’s honor and recognize the diverse abilities that strengthen our nation.

No organization is immune to the challenge of staying relevant. Retaining top customers and talent is a constant struggle, and disability is likely to play a significant role in this dynamic.

Embrace the power of universal and inclusive design to turn this challenge into a golden opportunity! According to the Return on Disability Group, people with disabilities represent a market larger than China, touching 73% of consumers globally.

Let’s innovate together for a better, more inclusive future! Learn more here: https://www.dakc.us/aak/future-proof-your-space/