Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute

You’ve Been Appointed Guardian. Now What?

MI SIBS is hosting a free webinar, “Guardianship: A Practical Roadmap for Supporting an Adult Sibling with Disabilities,” on Wednesday, October 28th, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Eastern.

The webinar will cover some of the first steps to take after becoming a guardian, including understanding your legal responsibilities, finding professionals and resources, honoring your sibling’s voice and independence, navigating the guardian-sibling relationship, and planning for the future.

Interested in attending? Visit the link in our bio and scroll down to "Partner Events, Studies, Webinars"

The webinar is free and presented by Michele P. Fuller, Esq., Joy Nagy Wilkins, and Charlene M. Distler.

MI-DDI is recruiting families to participate in a project that helps train future medical professionals on family-centered practices!

We're collaborating with the Wayne State University - School of Medicine to train medical students to improve their ability to understand the unique needs of families who have children with disabilities. Your family will help prepare the professional physicians of tomorrow.

Requirements
To participate, you must:
- Have a child with a disability under the age of 26

- Partake in 45-minute to 1-hour virtual or in-person home meetings. Medical students will provide two virtual or in-person home visits with your family.

Compensation:

For your participation, you will receive:
- A $75 stipend for participating
- A confidential family quality of life assessment
- Information about resources to assist your family
- A small gift for your child for participating

Interested in Participating?

If your family is interested in participating, please visit the link in our bio and scroll down to the Disability Health Advocate Interest (DHAI) section

You can also express your interest by contacting the following person via email:

Nia Anderson, LMSW
Email: [email protected]

Paid Research Opportunity for Michigan Residents!

The People Say is looking for Michigan residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and caregivers to share their experiences with healthcare and other support services.

Participants will receive $300 for up to six hours of research, including a 90-minute, in-person interview and follow-up activities.

Who can participate?
- Michigan residents age 50 or older with an intellectual or developmental disability.
- Caregivers of someone age 50 or older with an intellectual or developmental disability.
- Individuals available during the week of October 5, 2026.

Researchers are particularly interested in hearing from people in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Flint, communities along the Lake Michigan shore, and surrounding rural areas.

Participants are welcome to bring a family member or support person to the interview. Accommodations are available upon request.
Interested in participating?

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to "Partner Links"

Your experiences could help improve healthcare and support services for people with disabilities.

Are you or someone you know living with disabilities and thinking about living alone or becoming more independent?

Join MI-DDI’s Community Transition Trainers (CTT) for a FREE virtual session designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to explore independent living.

Whether you're planning to move out, looking for more control in your current living situation, or just want to learn about your options, this session is for you!

Hear from others with lived experiences, ask questions, and get helpful insights on living in the community.

Wednesday, September 30th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Register by visiting the link in our bio and scrolling to community supports

The State of Michigan is asking adults with disabilities to share their experiences with to***co use and state programs designed to help people quit smoking.

Many people with disabilities face barriers when trying to find or use health programs. This short online survey looks at whether people know about these programs, how easy they are to access, and whether they are working as intended.

Any adult age 18 or older in Michigan who has a disability can take part. You can participate whether you use to***co or not, and whether or not you want to quit.

Your feedback will help the state understand how well these programs are reaching people and how they can be improved.

Take the survey by visiting our bio and scrolling to: To***co Use Survey

Don’t miss this voting webinar!

Voting is your right, and knowing your rights as a voter with a disability can help you participate with confidence.

Join REV UP Michigan for Your Voting Rights, presented by Miranda Grunwell of Disability Network Southwest Michigan.

September 24 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Zoom

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PI3gd9XBSwWzq33vlhBCAg #/registration

MI-DDI is recruiting families to participate in a project that helps train future medical professionals on family-centered practices!

We're collaborating with the Wayne State University - School of Medicine to train medical students to improve their ability to understand the unique needs of families who have children with disabilities. Your family will help prepare the professional physicians of tomorrow.

Requirements
To participate, you must:
- Have a child with a disability under the age of 26

- Partake in 45-minute to 1-hour virtual or in-person home meetings. Medical students will provide two virtual or in-person home visits with your family.

Compensation:

For your participation, you will receive:
- A $75 stipend for participating
- A confidential family quality of life assessment
- Information about resources to assist your family
- A small gift for your child for participating

Interested in Participating?

If your family is interested in participating, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/DHAI2026

You can also express your interest by contacting the following person via email:

Nia Anderson, LMSW
Email: [email protected]

Are you or someone you know living with disabilities and thinking about living alone or becoming more independent?

Join MI-DDI’s Community Transition Trainers (CTT) for a FREE virtual session designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to explore independent living.

Whether you're planning to move out, looking for more control in your current living situation, or just want to learn about your options, this session is for you!

Hear from others with lived experiences, ask questions, and get helpful insights on living in the community.

Thursday, September 30th
1:00 – 2:00 PM

Online via Zoom
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CTTSEPT2026

Our next Let's Talk About It webinar is: "Voting Matters: Rights, Access, and Resources," presented by David Foster of the Bureau of Elections, and Rachel Huddleston of Disability Rights Michigan.

📅Thursday, October 15
🕛 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
📍Virtual webinar (Zoom)

🔗 Register here: https://go.mi.gov/padk13317

Join us to learn more about voting rights and learn about resources and supports available to help you exercise your right to vote. This webinar will also explore accessible voting, including how to request an absentee ballot, accommodations for curbside voting, and assistive technologies available at polling locations.

💬 Let's Talk About It is a webinar series for people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and anyone interested in strengthening family wellbeing.

Have you heard about Independent Facilitation and want to know more?
Do you want to use an Independent Facilitator in your next Person-Centered Plan? Have you thought about becoming a trained Independent Facilitator?

This free webinar is for you!

Who Should Attend?

People with disabilities, family members, case managers, and anyone who wants to learn more about Independent Facilitation.

This webinar is offered as a 1 Credit Hour General Social Work Continuing Education (CE) Credit.

Date and Time
September 18th, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Location
Online through Zoom

Register: https://tinyurl.com/3dfu6am3