Disability Connection/West Michigan offers a unique resource: people with disabilities who have successfully established independent lives.
Peer mentors and peer support groups help people explore options, develop goals, and overcome barriers.
These groups and peers also help solve problems for people who are making adjustments to a newly acquired disability, those experiencing changes in living arrangements, or those learning to use community services more effectively.
In addition, peer support can become the foundation for collective action to address community barriers to independence.
With a staff and board of directors comprised of at least 51% of individuals with significant disabilities, we can identify with the significant needs of our consumers. Each of our services is made available to all of our consumers with appropriate accommodations being instituted as necessary.
We offer one-on-one peer support via the Muskegon County Community Mental Health offices. We also organize and sponsor peer support groups giving persons with similar disabilities an opportunity to communicate, share their concerns and issues, and learn from each other how to deal with their disabilities.
Some groups are geared to meet the needs of specific populations.
- Disability Connection/West Michigan has an active access team made up of individuals with disabilities who advocate for more accessible communities.
- Disability Connection/West Michigan also leads a transition program that facilities the smooth movement of special education students to self sustaining life opportunities that meet their needs. Emphasis is on developing natural supports for students as they navigate the changes to adulthood.
- Disability Connection/West Michigan also works with the Transportation Work Group and the Muskegon RICC
- Disability Connection/West Michigan in Newaygo County works with the Empowerment Network and the county’s Supported Self Employment Group.
