Peer Support and Networking Lunch

Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:34pm by monkk

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, "a place for individuals with disabilities to come and get help from someone who’s been there, who’s lived it, and who’s been through it," will be holding a Peer Support and Networking Lunch on the third Wednesday of every month. The next lunch will be held September 21, 2016 from 12 pm to 1 pm in the Gathering Space at the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living. Join the group for good food and good conversation!

Join the Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues

Wed, 02/17/2016 - 3:45pm by iralax

If you are an advocate for equal opportunity for people with physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities you may want to serve as a commissioner on the Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues. Public meetings are held at City Hall on the third Wednesday of every month starting at 3:15pm. Meetings are open to the public and can also be viewed on Community Television Network (CTN)-Comcast Cable Channel 16. You can also view CTN videos On Demand by going to a2gov.org.

If you would like an application to apply for a seat on the Commission contact the Mayor’s Office 734-794-6161 or visit our Resource Page. If you desire more information about being a commissioner e-mail us at a2disabilityissues@gmail.com

CANCELLED: Wheelchair Basketball

Wednesday March 2, 2016: 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Michigan Alliance for Families' Webinar Series

Thu, 10/22/2015 - 1:48pm by Beth Manuel

If you missed the session presented at AADL about Individualized Education Programs (IEP's), you can find that and an array of other topics available at the Michigan Alliance for Families Webinar Series site. There are a number of pertinent topics for families who have children (or teens transitioning to adulthood) available on demand by going to their You Tube channel. The Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children (birth through 26 years of age) who receive or may be eligible to receive special education services. Their website can help you find information about special education issues as well as disability specific information.

An Overview of Special Education and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) - NEW LOCATION

Monday October 19, 2015: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

MI Hidden Talent Tour

Fri, 08/28/2015 - 10:06am by iralax

A statewide tour to inspire Michigan companies to hire workers with disabilities is coming to Ann Arbor on Sept 24, 2015. Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard H. Bernstein will share stories about companies who found valuable workers who have a disability. As part of the MI Hidden Talent Tour, these state leaders, along with local organizations helping with this effort, will provide resources and answer questions for business leaders who want to explore this untapped pool of talent. The event takes place at Washtenaw Community College, Morris J. Lawrence Auditorium, 4800 East Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Welcome reception at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP by registering here.

Bullying in Our Schools: Strategies for Students, Parents and Educators

Monday October 26, 2015: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Adults And Teens Grade 6 And Up.

WIN-WIN Opportunities with ADA Accomodations

Fri, 04/24/2015 - 4:52pm by iralax

Join the Ann Arbor Area Business Leadership Network (A3BLN), hosted this month by the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, for the unique opportunity to learn from Employers & Employees about ways to improve opportunities for people with disabilities, because we are ALL better together!

The workshop will feature: (1) A Panel of employers and employees from NuStep, Select Ride, and the University of Michigan discussing the benefits of a diversified workforce and the win-win opportunities for both employers and employees. (2) Sessions with legal, human resource, and ADA perspectives and sharing their views regarding hiring persons with disabilities and ADA accommodations in the workplace.

This event is open to ALL business leaders, employers & current or potential employees with disabilities.
May 15, 2015, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm, WCC Morris J. Lawrence Building Auditorium. Email to: careerservices@aacil.org

Girls Like Us: Great for Group Discussions and Teen Book Clubs!

Mon, 12/15/2014 - 12:35pm by krayla

Gail Giles's new teen novel, Girls Like Us, weaves the heart-wrenching tales of two young women thrown together by what at first seems like bad luck. Quincy and Biddy were in the special education program together in high school, and they were anything but friends. Biddy had a reputation with the boys and Quincy was well-known for her mean streak. When they learned they'd be living together cooperatively, they thought life couldn't get any worse.

Told from the alternating perspective of each woman, "Girls Like Us" slowly reveals abusive childhoods and cruel experiences that have shaped who they are today. Everywhere they go they carry the insults slung at them like parasites, the words so deeply ingrained that they are accepted as truth. Although much of the intertwined tale of Biddy and Quincy is an unflinching look at human cruelty, the heart-warming moments of gradual friendship make this novel worth the emotional toll. It both empowers readers and inspires reflection on memory, change, hope, friendship, and family.

Gail Giles has written several books for teens, including What Happened to Cass McBride? and Playing in Traffic. "Girls Like Us" appeared on the longlist for the 2014 National Book Award in Young People's Literature, and was inspired by several previous students in Giles' 20 years of teaching special education classes.