<strong>New Year, New Priorities</strong>
Folks, we are so excited for the new year! 2023 brings with it so many possibilities, and the Disability Advocates team plans to make the most of it. Our new home at the Special Olympics Michigan Sports & Inclusion Center opens doors for us. Now it is time to make the most of this opportunity […]
Youth Transition Services Campaign
Young people with disabilities struggle disproportionately with finding work. The employment rate for people with disabilities in Michigan hovers around 30% each year. Many employers do not know how to reasonably accommodate people with disabilities. Most office spaces are not built using inclusive design principles. Accessible technology is also not readily available. Our career workshops […]
Legislative Coffee Hour with Sen. Mark Huizenga
Transparency, accountability, and availability. These three values are what Senator Mark Huizenga aims to embody in his work in Lansing. One simple, but critical, way that legislators can demonstrate these values is to show up for meetings. Huizenga did just that when he joined a recent legislative coffee hour at the Special Olympics […]
An Update on the Go!Bus System
Byron Township voted not to renew their contract for Rapid service. When Disability Advocates of Kent County moved to the Special Olympics Unified Sports & Inclusion Center (SOMI), it was paramount for us to have both mainline and Go!Bus service all day. Our partner agencies picked up a contract for the difference to reinstate midday […]
Second Week of Guide Dog Training
So, the second week of training was supposed to be the week where we go to various locations, like Royal Oak and Birmingham, but due to the threat of rain every day, we stayed in Rochester, doing different routes. We did go to a couple of high traffic areas, and got the dogs […]
We are Disability Advocates: Karin Hopman
Meet Finance & HR director Karin hopman Karin Hopman is the Finance & HR Director at Disability Advocates of Kent County. In this position, Hopman ensures compliance and accuracy of all aspects of the organizations financial management policies and procedures and reporting. In addition, Hopman delivers reports during board meetings, and oversees the oversight of […]
Issue Day
Today is finally the day! Issue day has arrived. That is the day that all the students have been waiting for, the day we get are Leader Dogs. The feels were all here this morning. I walked into the dining room for breakfast, and you could just feel all the emotions in the room. Some […]
A Conversation with Bergmann PC Principal Buddy Huyler
A Conversation with Bergmann PC Principal Buddy Huyler Disability Advocates of Kent County staff member Nathan Slauer spoke with Bergmann PC Principal Buddy Huyler. Bergmann PC is a sponsor of the 2022 Absolutely Accessible Kent event. Q: Tell me about your role with Bergmann PC. A: As Principal with Bergmann PC, my role focuses on […]
Five Reasons to Join Us For a Tour
As of this evening, Disability Advocates of Kent County officially opened its new home to the public. Our ribbon-cutting ceremony invited the whole community out to celebrate the occasion. We are so excited to continue welcoming people into the space. Here are five reasons you should schedule an individual tour today. Check Out the Home […]
We are Disability Advocates: Ella Bonner
Ella Bonner recently joined the Workforce Development department at Disability Advocates of Kent County. We are excited to welcome our new Youth Transitions Specialist to the team! Ella brings over 18 years of experience with Grand Rapids Public Schools as a Certified Employment Training Specialist. She has also volunteered at a variety of local nonprofit […]