A Statement on AI and Mental Health
From Theresa Metzmaker, CEO, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition At Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC), we have long celebrated the ways AI and assistive technology can support self-determination, bodily autonomy, and community inclusion for people with disabilities. Our Assistive Technology Program has connected people with tools that increase access to community living for decades. We believe…
Read MoreStatment on ableism, racism, and xenophobia deployed together
![[Image Description: Quote graphic with text: "The same thinking that uses the R-Word as a weapon calls an entire community garbage." Below: "A Statement on Ableism, Racism, and Xenophobia from MDRC" with Michigan Disability Rights Coalition logo. End Image Descripion.]](https://mymdrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/a-statement-on-ableism.jpg)
Statement from Michigan Disability Rights Coalition On Thanksgiving, the President of the United States called Governor Tim Walz “seriously retarded.” When asked days later if he stood by it, he said: “Yeah. I think there’s something wrong with him. Absolutely. Sure.” To my disability community: I know you felt that. We ourselves, or the people…
Read MoreStronger Together
A message from our Executive Director, Theresa Metzmaker Dear Disability Community and Parents of Children with Disabilities, My heart is heavy as I write this. I debated long and hard about what to write; it is clear we are under attack. Yesterday, listening to the President of the United States blame the crash on us…
Read MoreRegistration Open: Parents Weekend- Raising Children with Disabilities with Disability Pride
Registration and payment for the 2024 Raising Children with Disabilities: With Disability Pride. A Weekend of Learning and Celebration for Parents* of Children with Disabilities. Registration is due by April 5, 2024. Please note that we only have 15 participant slots and will close when they are full. Payment must be received to be fully…
Read MoreThe Harmful Impact of Using the Word “Crazy” with Children: A Call for Change
Dear individuals who work with children, Please stop using the word “crazy”. I am saying this from a place of love. My intention in bringing this forward is for us to create a future where we no longer use the word. As a foster mom and biological mom of children with and without disabilities, I…
Read MoreMDRC Recognized as an Adoption Advocate by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
![[Image Description: Circle with the text 2023 Adoption Advocate Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, inside. The circle also includes the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Logo a white sketch of a person with their arms in the air in the center of a heart. End Image Description]](https://mymdrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Social-media-Adoption-1024x1024.png)
Lansing, 11/8/2023: Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) is thrilled to announce its recognition as an Adoption Advocate by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for the year 2023, joining organizations that are leading the way in providing robust adoption benefit programs. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, in partnership with RTI International, conducts an annual survey to identify the…
Read MoreMake Your Voice Heard – Hearing Loss
This past week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Hearing Loss Association of America’s (HLAA) Annual Virtual Convention. HLAA’s mission is to “open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.” While all the sessions were very interesting, I thought the sessions on access…
Read MoreMake Your Voice Heard – Hearing Loss
By Kathryn Wyeth This past week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Hearing Loss Association of America’s (HLAA) Annual Virtual Convention. HLAA’s mission is to “open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.” While all the sessions were very interesting, I thought the sessions…
Read MoreA Fidgetarium of Possibility
One of my minor autistic traits is fidgeting. When I was a kid, I had to learn how to do hidden fidgeting, because people (especially adults) thought fidgeting meant I wasn’t paying attention, or I was acting weird. Actually, I needed to fidget to focus my attention, though I didn’t understand that at the time.…
Read MoreAccess to Facebook
It is so wonderful to see advances in the social media platforms in recent years to make content more accessible to people with disabilities! Some of these advancements are within the platform and you don’t need to do anything. However, there is still quite a bit you can personally do to make sure your content…
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