Disability Inclusion Series Editor Lucia Rios receives 2023 Ability Award
Lucia Rios is honored for her decades of work educating people about accessibility issues and mentoring the next generation of disability advocates.
Disability Advocates Kent County helps low-income seniors age in place
Disability Advocates Kent County is using a $975,000, 3-year HUD grant to fund home accessibility assessments and modifications for 150 homeowners in rural West Michigan counties.
Kalamazoo Public Safety launches survey and invites public to walk in “an officer’s shoes for a day”
With a desire for transparency, accountability, and trust-building – and the data to demonstrate it – the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has launched a public survey of its police services. And KDPS' popular Kalamazoo Regional Citizens' Academy is now running twice a year giving residents a chance to walk in the shoes of a police officer. “Honestly, we’re looking for people that aren’t all pro-police," says KDPS Chief David Boysen. "We want people that are a little skeptical about the policing, that are like, ‘we’re not sure about you guys.'”
Learning Tool or Teaching Threat: Students and educators talk ChatGPT
Since its November launch, ChatGPT has created a stir of controversy. Some local teachers and students can see both its benefits and drawbacks. One Lakeview High School senior says she can see how the AI tool could help with generating essay ideas, but as far as using it in place of her own writing, she says, “It would create an interesting perspective, but it would never be your own work."
Kalamazoo’s Pathway Home program helps low-income renters get ready to become homeowners
At Pathway Home potential homeowners will talk about their goals, be enrolled in KNHS financial readiness and homebuyer's education courses, be teamed up with HUD-certified coaches at KNHS, and learn "all the basics on what it means to go from a renter to a homeowner." Learn more about this approach to keeping people housed.
Battle Creek’s Litter Ladies and Lads make a difference one piece of trash at a time
On the first publicly-celebrated Earth Day since the pandemic, Southwest Michiganders gathered to plant, weed, and beautify. For the Litter Ladies and Lads in Battle Creek who pick up trash year-round to protect humans and wildlife, every day is Earth Day.
Special report: Michigan prepares for a rapidly aging population by becoming more “age-friendly”
We took a look at several Michigan initiatives that are working to create new age-friendly support systems as the state ages.
Justice Bernstein brings a perspective of inclusion to court
Richard Bernstein believes one of the most important attributes he brings to his role as a justice on Michigan’s highest court is the perspective of someone navigating life with a disability.
How one library is making a renovation plan inclusive
As Herrick District Library prepares for a major renovation, the staff is working to make sure people with disabilities are part of the planning process to create an inclusive space
Genesee Health System earns “Top Workplace” award
Genesee Health System has earned the Energage 2023 Top Workplaces USA award. The award is made solely on the basis of employee feedback.
