Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute

Disability Employment Series

Each year we seek your feedback regarding issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities in Michigan.

This process helps us reevaluate our focus areas and adjust them as needed. Your feedback guides our work as we design advocacy services.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FocusSurveyFY27

The comment period is active for 30 days.

You can also mail or fax the survey.
FAX: (517) 487-0827

MAIL:
Disability Rights Michigan
4095 Legacy Pkwy.
Lansing, MI 48911

Join the Michigan Department of Civil Rights as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! During this engaging webinar, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Job Accommodation Network will discuss disability disclosure and workplace accommodations. Disability rights advocates will also share their personal experiences with navigating workplace accommodations. Job seekers, employees, and employers will find value in this session.

📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
🕒 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
📍Virtual Via Zoom | Registration here: https://ow.ly/6jt650ZMF2o
This year's theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent: Personal Journeys in Navigating Workplace Accommodations”

ASL interpreting services will be provided by Sarah Houston and Yakata Nichols along with live CART captioning. If a different accommodation is required, please e-mail Tiara McKenzie at [email protected] by no later than October 1, 2026.

Assistive technology (AT) offers a range of tools that can help whether you are voting by mail or in-person. Here are a few options that may help, depending on your needs and how you choose to vote.

Low-Tech: Pen Grips & Writing Aids
Simple tools like pen grips and writing aids can make holding and using a pen easier. These options may be helpful for voters who have difficulty with grip, hand strength, or fine motor tasks. There are many different types available for pen grips and writing aids to see which one works best for you.

Mid-Tech: Handheld Lighted Magnifiers
Handheld magnifiers can make printed information easier to see. They are a simple option for voters who need a visual support when reading their ballot or other voting materials. This can be useful if you are voting in person or mailing in your ballot. There are all sorts of magnifier options, lighted ones which make it even easier for many to read the ballot.

High tech: The Voter Assist Terminal (VAT)
If you are voting in person, you are able to use the Voter Assist Terminal or VAT for short. The VAT is an accessible, touch-screen device available for voters to mark and print their ballots in Michigan elections. The VAT can help those with disabilities vote in privately and without assistance. Every polling place is required to have a VAT set up for those who want to use it. You do not need to disclose a disability to use the VAT, it is available for all voters, whether they identify as disabled or not. You just need to ask to use the VAT when you arrive at your polling location.

There are three types of VAT equipment available depending on your county, the ES &S Express Vote, the Hart Verity Touch Writer, and the Liberty Vote ImageCast ICX. To determine what system your county is using for their VAT, there is an index available here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/VotingMachineVendor/Index

To learn how to use the VAT, Michigan's official voting-equipment page has video walkthroughs for all three VAT systems used in Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/voters/voting-equipment

Voting looks different for everyone, and having the right tools can make the process easier and more accessible. Contact us for a demonstration if you are looking for AT to make voting process easier by using the button below or by emailing [email protected].

[Image description: AT for Voting graphic, with the MATP logo, a picture of a writing bird with a pencil, a handheld lighted magnifier and a VAT. Text: Assistive Technology (AT) for voting. Whether you vote by mail or in person, there may be AT options that can make the process easier. Low-Tech: Pen grips and writing aids. Simple tools like pen grips and writing aids can make holding and using a pen easier. Mid-Tech: Handheld lighted magnifiers. Handheld magnifiers can make printed information easier to see. High-Tech: The Voter Assist Terminal (VAT). The Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) is an accessible, touch-screen device that allows voters to mark and print their ballots.]

Are you or someone you know living with disabilities and thinking about living alone or becoming more independent?

Today, join MI-DDI’s Community Transition Trainers (CTT) for a FREE virtual session designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to explore independent living.

Whether you're planning to move out, looking for more control in your current living situation, or just want to learn about your options, this session is for you!

Hear from others with lived experiences, ask questions, and get helpful insights on living in the community.

Today, September 30th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Register by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to community supports

You’ve Been Appointed Guardian. Now What?

MI SIBS is hosting a free webinar, “Guardianship: A Practical Roadmap for Supporting an Adult Sibling with Disabilities,” on Wednesday, October 28th, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Eastern.

The webinar will cover some of the first steps to take after becoming a guardian, including understanding your legal responsibilities, finding professionals and resources, honoring your sibling’s voice and independence, navigating the guardian-sibling relationship, and planning for the future.

Interested in attending? Visit the link in our bio and scroll down to "Partner Events, Studies, Webinars"

The webinar is free and presented by Michele P. Fuller, Esq., Joy Nagy Wilkins, and Charlene M. Distler.

MI-DDI is recruiting families to participate in a project that helps train future medical professionals on family-centered practices!

We're collaborating with the Wayne State University - School of Medicine to train medical students to improve their ability to understand the unique needs of families who have children with disabilities. Your family will help prepare the professional physicians of tomorrow.

Requirements
To participate, you must:
- Have a child with a disability under the age of 26

- Partake in 45-minute to 1-hour virtual or in-person home meetings. Medical students will provide two virtual or in-person home visits with your family.

Compensation:

For your participation, you will receive:
- A $75 stipend for participating
- A confidential family quality of life assessment
- Information about resources to assist your family
- A small gift for your child for participating

Interested in Participating?

If your family is interested in participating, please visit the link in our bio and scroll down to the Disability Health Advocate Interest (DHAI) section

You can also express your interest by contacting the following person via email:

Nia Anderson, LMSW
Email: [email protected]

Paid Research Opportunity for Michigan Residents!

The People Say is looking for Michigan residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and caregivers to share their experiences with healthcare and other support services.

Participants will receive $300 for up to six hours of research, including a 90-minute, in-person interview and follow-up activities.

Who can participate?
- Michigan residents age 50 or older with an intellectual or developmental disability.
- Caregivers of someone age 50 or older with an intellectual or developmental disability.
- Individuals available during the week of October 5, 2026.

Researchers are particularly interested in hearing from people in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Flint, communities along the Lake Michigan shore, and surrounding rural areas.

Participants are welcome to bring a family member or support person to the interview. Accommodations are available upon request.
Interested in participating?

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to "Partner Links"

Your experiences could help improve healthcare and support services for people with disabilities.

Are you or someone you know living with disabilities and thinking about living alone or becoming more independent?

Join MI-DDI’s Community Transition Trainers (CTT) for a FREE virtual session designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to explore independent living.

Whether you're planning to move out, looking for more control in your current living situation, or just want to learn about your options, this session is for you!

Hear from others with lived experiences, ask questions, and get helpful insights on living in the community.

Wednesday, September 30th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Register by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to community supports

The State of Michigan is asking adults with disabilities to share their experiences with to***co use and state programs designed to help people quit smoking.

Many people with disabilities face barriers when trying to find or use health programs. This short online survey looks at whether people know about these programs, how easy they are to access, and whether they are working as intended.

Any adult age 18 or older in Michigan who has a disability can take part. You can participate whether you use to***co or not, and whether or not you want to quit.

Your feedback will help the state understand how well these programs are reaching people and how they can be improved.

Take the survey by visiting our bio and scrolling to: To***co Use Survey