Disability Network Northern Michigan

Our Mission is to promote personal empowerment and positive social change for persons with disabilities.

Based in Traverse City, Michigan, we’ve been serving people with disabilities, their families, and the Northern Lower Michigan community since 2002. Our staff provides information, assistance, and support to people of all ages with a wide variety of disabilities. We also work on a larger scale, helping governments, businesses, and other organizations make changes that improve life for everyone in the community.

Our organization is led by a board and staff made up mostly of people with disabilities. We serve people with any type of disability, including those with “invisible” barriers such as learning disabilities. Instead of focusing solely on the disability, we address the needs of the whole person to achieve a more balanced life. And unlike many organizations, we’re here to support the community as well as the individual.

Our Core Beliefs:

• Disabilities are a natural part of life. Anyone can acquire a disability at any time.
• Many of the difficulties faced by people with disabilities are a result of attitudes and environments, not the disability.
• Disabilities positively affect and enhance the diversity of our community.
• Everyone should have the opportunity to participate, contribute, and belong to our community.
• Everyone should have the opportunity to express his or her strengths, gifts, and talents.