Click an image to enlarge. 

Image Descriptions:

1. The Disability Network (Flint, MI) – June 21: Last week we joined Congressman Dan Kildee on a tour of Peckham’s Lansing Location. Peckham is a nonprofit community vocational rehabilitation organization that promotes employment without barriers. We would like to thank Peckham for having us and the congressman for taking the time out of his busy schedule to check out what Peckham has to offer. [Four photos of people meeting at Peckham, Inc. including former Flint CIL Executive Director Mike Zelley]. Post comment by Eleanor Canter: Peckham is a sheltered workshop. The Disability Network is a Center for Independent Living. Centers for Independent Living are funded by taxpayers to engage in disability-led advocacy. Will you disclose how much Peckham is paying you to refer consumers into the sheltered work pipeline? This is outright corruption. #notyourcashcow

2. The Disability Network (Flint, MI) – April 13: I have received an Application to apply for the open positions at Peckham. If you would like a copy, please email carrieb@disnetwork.org and I will forward you one. Because these positions are intended for people with disabilities, Peckham will require a note from a doctor with your diagnosis. If you can take that note with you to the job fair, it will offer a more complete application. They will be doing interviews onsite at the event on April 18th. Best of luck everyone! [Image of a flyer promoting jobs at Peckham’s Military Manufacturing and Inbound Call Center]. Post comment by Eleanor Canter: Eleanor Canter This is extremely inappropriate. Why is a Center for Independent Living promoting and supporting segregated work at deviated wages?

3. The Disability Network (Flint, MI) – June 8: Contact Traci Pigott if you are interested in attending a tour of Peckham. Check out the flyer below and RSVP today! Spaces are limited. [Image of a flyer promoting jobs at Peckham’s Military Manufacturing and Inbound Call Center]. Post comment by The Disability Network: Job Opportunities in Lansing, MI – Tour Event for Students with Disabilities…

4. Disability Network Capital Area (Lansing, MI) – June 10: A great couple of days spent networking at the MARO Spring Conference in Traverse City. While also celebrating Kellie Blackwell and Justine Bond graduating from the MARO Leadership Academy. Pictured below are the graduates with their supervisors Diana Maddox and Jean Harris, as well as Director Mark Pierce. [Image of five people smiling, one holding what appears to be a certificate]. Post comment by Eleanor Canter: I’m very disappointed that you continue to spend taxpayer dollars supporting sheltered work and subminimum wages through membership in MARO and that your staff members are being trained to behave as sheltered workshop managers instead of Independent Living advocates. This is extremely inappropriate for a Center for Independent Living. CILs are not “rehabilitation organizations”. Your unnatural alliance with sheltered workshops and subminimum wage employers is preventing Disability Network Capital Area from doing what it’s funded by taxpayers to do: consumer-driven advocacy. This must stop. #notyourcashcow #endsubminimumwage

5. Disability Network West Michigan (Muskegon, MI) – June 5, 2015: Here at disabilitynetworkwm.org we are super proud of these two ladies, our newest graduates of the MARO Leadership Academy. Barriers bashed once again! Congratulations Karen and Janet! [Image of two women smiling outside the Michigan Association of Rehabilitation Organizations (sheltered workshops) Leadership Academy].

6. The Disability Network (Flint, MI) – April 12: Hiring Event for people with Disabilities / Monday, April 18, 2016, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. / At Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine / 200 East 1st Street, Flint, MI 48502 / Military Manufacturing and Inbound Call Center / Apparel Manufacturing Jobs / Incoming Call Center Jobs / Have a qualified disability / Wages range from $8.50/hr. to $13.50/hr. / Group transportation to/from Flint available / Full benefits package including health insurance / Earn monthly & annual bonuses / Opportunity for overtime / Paid training to help you advance in your career / Working at Peckham / Onsite Wellness Center & fitness classes available On-site cafeteria, free fruit / Support services for a wide range of needs and barriers / Friendly, respectful place to work / Peckham is an Equal opportunity employer/program. / Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. / Michigan Relay Center call 7-1-1 or (844) 578-6563. Post comment by The Disability Network: Peckham is still taking applications if you missed the event. Click on employment opportunity then Lansing Michigan, then scroll down to staff jobs, then click apply here. Be sure to click on the Lansing posts.

7. Event: Celebrate Ability Picnic hosted by Disability Advocates of Kent County. July 26, 4-6 p.m. KDL Kentwood Branch. Public Festival. Join us in celebrating the 26th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as Disability Advocates’ 35th Anniversary! Disability Advocates, along with community partners that provide services to individuals with disabilities, come together to share information about our services and teach the public about the significance of the ADA. This event is FREE to the public! There will be singing, dancing, delicious snacks, and the long-awaited introduction of our Dis.is campaign. Performances by Ralston Bowles, Cassaundra Bell, Sarah Stanford, and Arts in Motion. DJ’d by Matthew Murphy. Community Partners: IKUS Life Enrichment Services; Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services; Hope Network; CHADD National Resource on ADD; Kent RICC: Arc of Kent County; Salvation Army; Goodwill; Kent District Library; Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired; Network 180. Sponsors: Meijer; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Mary Free Bed; Care Resources (PACE). Emphasis added to “community partners that provide services to individuals with disabilities” and “Hope Network” and “Goodwill”. Post comment by Peer Action Alliance: “Disability Advocates” across the nation have spoken out against the use of 14c certificates, segregated workshops, and the discriminatory labor practices of sub-minimum / non-prevailing wage. Partnering with Goodwill and other organizations that promote dependence and profit from stigmatizing disability is not consistent with Independent Living philosophy. Image description: NCIL Logo – National Council on Independent Living. Link to Advocacy Monitor article “Leading Organizations of Americans with Disabilities Call for Reform of AbilityOne Program: Organizations Set Forth Seven Reform Principles”. Post comment by Eleanor Canter: Not in a million years would I consider celebrating an ADA Anniversary with the sheltered workshops and subminimum wage employers exploiting the disability community. I’m shocked to see a Center for Independent Living describe sheltered workshops as their “community partners that provide services to individuals with disabilities”. Sheltered work violates the ADA.

8. Disability Network West Michigan (Muskegon, MI) shared a link to MARO.org – the website for Michigan’s association of sheltered workshops, of which they are a proud member to this day.