MDRC cultivates disability pride and strengthens the disability movement by recognizing disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity while collaborating to dismantle all forms of oppression.
Leadership Engaging in Advocacy Development (LEAD)
About LEAD
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC), using a grant provided by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, has begun a multi-year project to focus on increasing education and resource access to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Michigan. The program seeks to engage adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and local organizations that provide services to people within these groups. MDRC encourages individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from communities of color, individuals with English as a second language and people representing historically oppressed groups to consider participating in the cohort experience.
Lansing Area LEAD Application
Selection Criteria
All individuals participating in the LEAD project must be an adult with an intellectual and developmental disability or a parent/guardian of a minor with an intellectual and developmental disability.
2019 cohort participants must reside within 20 miles of Lansing.
Sessions
Cohort participants must attend three in-person sessions and one online session between April 2019 and September 2019.
The cohort sessions are as followes:
Lansing (in-person):
- April 27-28, 2019
- June 8-9, 2019
- July 20-21, 2019
Online Session:
- July 17, 2019
Selection and Notification
Participants for the project will be selected based on their responses to the application, where they live related to the locations of the cohorts and interviews conducted by MDRC staff. Cohort participants will be notified of their acceptance into the cohort by March 22, 2019.
Additional Information
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition will provide financial assistance for travel, personal assistants and care for minors (for parental participants) as it relates to creating an accessible experience for participants during the cohort experience. MDRC will also accommodate communication needs (example: bilingual materials, translation services, etc.) of participants and any other accessibility request made by participants.
Applications
Please submit applications via web, email or mail by March 1, 2019!
- Web Application for LEAD.
- Download Lansing LEAD application (MS Word - English)
- Download Lansing LEAD application (PDF - English)
Applications can be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applications can be mailed to:
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Attn: Breannah Alexander
3498 E. Lake Lansing Road Suite 100
East Lansing, MI 48823
If you need assistance completing the LEAD application, please call Breannah Alexander at 517.333.2477 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Detroit Area 2019 LEAD Application
Selection Criteria
All individuals participating in the LEAD project must be an adult with an intellectual and developmental disability or a parent/guardian of a minor with an intellectual and developmental disability.
2019 cohort participants must reside within 20 miles of Detroit.
Cohort participants must attend three in-person sessions and one online session between May 2019 and September 2019. The cohort sessions are as followes:
Lansing (in-person)
- May 25-26, 2019
- July 6-7, 2019
- August 24-25, 2019
Online Session
- July 17, 2019
Selection and Notification
Participants for the project will be selected based on their responses to the application, where they live related to the locations of the cohorts and interviews conducted by MDRC staff. Cohort participants will be notified of their acceptance into the cohort by March 22, 2019.
Additional Information
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition will provide financial assistance for travel, personal assistants and care for minors (for parental participants) as it relates to creating an accessible experience for participants during the cohort experience. MDRC will also accommodate communication needs (example: bilingual materials, translation services, etc.) of participants and any other accessibility request made by participants.
Applications
Please submit applications via web, email or mail by March 1, 2019!
- Web Application for LEAD.
- Download Detroit LEAD application (MS Word - English)
- Download Detroit LEAD application (PDF - English)
Applications can be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applications can be mailed to:
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Attn: Breannah Alexander
3498 E. Lake Lansing Road Suite 100
East Lansing, MI 48823
If you need assistance completing the LEAD application, please call Breannah Alexander at 517.333.2477 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kalamazoo Area LEAD Application
Selection Criteria
All individuals participating in the LEAD project must be an adult with an intellectual and developmental disability or a parent/guardian of a minor with an intellectual and developmental disability.
2019 cohort participants must reside within 20 miles of Kalamazoo.
Cohort participants must attend three in person sessions and one online session between May 2019 and September 2019.
The cohort sessions are as followes:
Lansing (in-person)
- May 4-5, 2019
- June 29-30, 2019
- August 3-4, 2019
Online Session
- July 17, 2019
Selection and Notification
Participants for the project will be selected based on their responses to the application, where they live related to the locations of the cohorts and interviews conducted by MDRC staff. Cohort participants will be notified of their acceptance into the cohort by March 22, 2019.
Applications
Applications are due by March 1, 2019!
- Web Application for LEAD.
- Download Kalamazoo LEAD application (MS Word - English)
- Download Kalamazoo LEAD application (PDF - English)
Applications can be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applications can be mailed to:
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Attn: Breannah Alexander
3498 E. Lake Lansing Road Suite 100
East Lansing, MI 48823
If you need assistance completing the LEAD application, please call Breannah Alexander at 517.333.2477 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Connect With Us
Support MDRC!
Go to MDRC's Donation Site!
Support MDRC through the Mail:
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
3498 East Lake Lansing Road, Suite 100
East Lansing, MI 48823
Order Get "Feisty and Non-compliant" Wear
Consider ordering a “Feisty and Non-compliant” t-shirt, travel mug, bag, button, or hoodie. Show your Feisty & Non-compliant Spirit with pride! All proceeds go towards our important work.