HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The Disability Network/Lakeshore (DNL) is celebrating their 25th anniversary with their 25 at 25 initiative.
The initiative honors those who have made contributions to increasing the quality of life for those living and working with disabilities within the lakeshore region. DNL is recognizing 20 individuals and five corporate organizations as part of their 25 at 25 initiative.
All of those being recognized have taken action to improve the quality of life for people of all abilities. Whether it’s through creating new policies or improving existing ones, advocating for more accessible work spaces or donating their time to cause greater than themselves; their impact has been vast. The first round of honorees included Dr. David Myers, Rob Schwarz, Krista Mason, Forrest Fynewever and Meijer.
The second round of honorees:
Dan Wedge: Dan exemplifies community in his work as Allegan County Transportation Director and is a consistent advocate for people with disabilities. A past board member and president of Disability Network/Lakeshore, Dan has participated in several Allegan County organizations through the years, creating partnerships that increase participation and quality of life for citizens in Allegan. Dan has strived for a better community throughout Allegan County by strengthening Allegan’s transportation system so that all individuals have access to participate in their communities.
Pat Hoozee-Meyer: Pat is passionate about providing an accessible venue and programming for people of all abilities at the Felt Estate in northwest Allegan County. To overcome structural limitations inherent in restoring the historic Felt Mansion, she relies on programmatic creativity and her desire to welcome people of all abilities, cultural backgrounds, income levels, and more.
Barb Newman: An inclusive education pioneer, Barbara has impacted thousands of churches and children with disabilities through perseverance, innovation, love, and wisdom. For 27 years, this teacher, consultant, author, speaker, and ministry director has combined her background in special education and deep conviction for inclusion to shape inclusive, interdependent faith communities across the United States and Canada. More recently, she is equipping churches to apply principles of universal design in their congregational worship practices.
Ruth Stegeman: Oriented toward justice with an educational background in special education, Ruth is the founding director of Disability Network Lakeshore and her passion and leadership over her 18 years in this leadership role emphasized inclusive communities that engaged all citizens, including those with disabilities. Ruth is known for encouraging communities to remove barriers and contributed directly to major steps forward within the Lakeshore community in regards to affordable and accessible housing and public transportation.
Herman Miller: DNL would like to recognize Herman Miller and its many efforts to support diversity and inclusion. These efforts include the formation of Herman Miller’s ACE (Ability Centered Employment) Partnership, which provides opportunity and meaningful work to those who may not have the opportunity otherwise, Herman Miller’s Disability IRT (Inclusive Resource Team), an employee based working group that focuses on identifying ways that Herman Miller can engage, include and improve the lives of the disabled community both internally and externally, and a partnership with ACT (Artists Creating Together) that works strengthen the creative capacity of young, brilliant minds, and the communities in which they live. These efforts wouldn’t be possible without many key players working through several programs including: Suzy Gerow, Nick Butterfield, Becky Kinsler and Kevin Walker.
The next round of 25 at 25 honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
For the last 25 years, Disability Network/Lakeshore has consistently worked in Allegan and Ottawa counties to create communities where people with disabilities can participate, contribute and belong. The organization was formed in 1992 as the Center for Independent Living. Its purpose has always been to provide assistance for residents of Ottawa and Allegan counties who have disabilities, whether or not those disabilities are apparent. DNL now annually serves about 1,800 people whose challenges range from job skills training and housing needs, to benefits planning and transitioning from rehabilitative care to living independently.
