Disability Advocacy
In collaboration with our community partners Misty Kluck and Mona Kasham from Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center and our internal partner Audrey Farrugia, this list highlights resources for the special needs community.
If you have any ideas for other matieral that we could include on this site, please feel free to contact us.
Autism Alliance of Michigan
The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is guided by their mission to raise expecttions and expand opportunities for individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through their Three Pillars of work focused on Navigation, Education, and Employment, AAoM has served over 40,000 people throughout the state and continues to lead efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people touched by Autism across the lifespan.
Click here to learn more about the Autism Alliance of Michigan.Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston
Ran by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, the Disability Network provides an extensive list of services, including:
- Advocacy to make our community more accessible, friendlier, and livable
- Assistance accessing community resources
- Career services
- Disability training for businesses and organizations
- Independent living coaching
- Peer support
- Small business development assistance
- Recreation and arts programming
- Transitions from nursing facilities back into the community
- Volunteer and training opportunities
- Youth programming
Early On Michigan
Early On is Michigan's system for helping infants and toddlers, birth to age 3 and their families who have developmental delays or are at risk for delays due to certain health conditions. Early On emphasizes early identification and early referral to support the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, to minimize their potential for delay, and to recognize the significant brain development that occurs during a child's first three years of life.
Her Power! Her Pride!
Her Power! works directly with girls with disabilities through a unique, four-day, overnight event designed to promote critical thinking about society’s messages, eliminate shame, develop leadership skills and encourage self-acceptance. This
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition has the mission to cultivate disability pride and strengthen the disability movement by recognizing disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity while collaborating to dismantle all forms of oppression.
Click here to learn more about the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
Speech & Hearing Clinic
The Speech and Hearing Clinic offers a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to children and adults of all ages. Services are offered to individuals with:
- Speech, language, fluency and voice Impairments
- Developmental language and cognitive delays
- Language and cognitive loss secondary to brain injury
- Acquired neurogenic disorders
- Desire to improve pronunciation secondary to foreign accents and dialects
- Desire to receive gender-affirming voice and communication services
- Aural habilitation and rehabilitation
- Hearing evaluations
- Hearing screenings
- Assessment of middle ear functioning
- Hearing aid evaluation and fitting
The Arc Washtenaw County
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
The Michigan Assistive Technology Program
The MATP is a federally-funded program. It is designed to increase access to, and knowledge of, Assistive Technology (AT) for all of Michigan with focus on reaching people with disabilities, their friends and family, as well as others who support people with disabilities, like businesses and organizations.
Click here to learn more about The Michigan Assistive Technology Program.
Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center
The mission of the Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by providing inclusive programs, essential resources, and a supportive community. We strive to create opportunities for growth, connection, and joy, ensuring that everyone can lead fulfilling and enriched lives.
Click here to learn more about the Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center.