Disability Advocates

06/01/2026

We loved supporting our building partners at Autism Support of Kent County’s Walk for Autism! 💙 It was great to see so many families, community partners, and supporters come together for such a fun and meaningful event.

05/31/2026

After Janice returned home from the hospital and rehab, Reggie wasn’t sure where to turn for help finding the equipment and support they needed.

Through our Home Accessibility Services, Janice has regained confidence and independence in her daily life. 💙

We’re grateful Reggie and Janice recently shared their story with us in a new video — coming soon!

05/30/2026

A big thank you to Fox 17 for spending time with us and highlighting our work through the “Teams That Care” initiative. 💙

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share what we do at Disability Advocates of Kent County and to spotlight the importance of accessibility in our community.

05/29/2026

☀️ Summer Hours Are Here! From June 1 through August 28, our office will close to the public at 1 PM on Fridays. Please plan ahead if you need to stop by our office.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer!

05/28/2026

🚍 Big conversations about mobility are coming to Kent County!

Join the community on June 11 from 6–7 PM at Rapid Central Station for a conversation about transit, accessibility, and the future of mobility in our region.

This event was inspired by Transit Riders United’s “Around the Mitten Tour,” where riders are traveling across Michigan using only public transit, intercity bus, and rail — including adventures through the U.P.! Come hear their stories, share your own experiences, and talk about what you’d like to see for transit in Kent County moving forward.

After the discussion, attendees are invited to continue the fun with a sunset cruise around town via DASH, the Laker Line, or even scooters (weather permitting), ending downtown for more conversation about the mobility options our community needs most. 🌅

Contact Dave at [email protected] if you have any questions!

05/28/2026

📝 From Dave’s Desk… or should we say Ella's.... Encouragement Hub?

In this special edition, Dave sits down with Ella, our Workforce Development Manager, to talk about helping young adults with disabilities navigate “what’s next.” From job training and skill-building to mock interviews and confidence in the workplace, Ella shares how she helps prepare individuals for future success.

We’re also joined by Kristin Smith, an Empower U teacher, who talks about the partnership between our organizations and the ways we’ve supported and learned from one another along the way. 💙

05/27/2026

Inclusive Design means creating spaces where everyone belongs.

We recently launched a new Inclusive Design page on our website filled with free resources, toolkits, videos, templates, and guides focused on building more accessible, welcoming, and functional spaces for people of all ages and abilities.

Because accessibility should never be an afterthought — it should be part of the design from the very beginning.

Learn Inclusive Design principles that create accessible spaces for everyone. Explore kitchen & bathroom templates, planning toolkits, and real-world videos.

05/26/2026

Barrier Free Bites | Episode 14: Pullout Shelves
This week, our Home Accessibility team is highlighting pullout shelves and how it can support safer, more accessible, and more independent living at home.

Small changes can make a big difference.

💬 Curious if this could work in your home or for someone you support?
📩 Contact us at [email protected] or call 616-323-2222 or learn more at
https://buff.ly/dq6fXGl

📅 New Barrier Free Bites drop every Tuesday

05/25/2026

In honor of Memorial Day, our office will be closed today as we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. 🕊️🎖️

05/24/2026

We were honored to be featured as part of Fox 17’s “Teams That Care” initiative, highlighting how local organizations are working together to create meaningful change across West Michigan.

As part of the segment, we shared more about Disability Advocates of Kent County and our Absolutely Accessible West Michigan event, which focused on going beyond compliance to build truly accessible communities.

The organization is hosting their "Absolutely Accessible West Michigan" event on Thursday, May 14 from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.