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May 19, 2021
Imagine growing older...but never growing up. Never being allowed to make decisions or choices that influence your future, or bring you happiness. Never being able to "grab the brass ring" because the person(s) who make de…
May 12, 2021
We all seek advice from time to time. Especially when confronted with a challenge that is unique to us. Sometimes that trusted advisor is a friend who has expertise in solving the problem we face, or a professional who can h…
May 5, 2021
Community (Cambridge Dictionary) “all the people who live in a particular area, or a group of people who are considered as a unit because of their shared interests or background.” Vision (Cambridge Dictionary) “the ability t…
April 28, 2021
Everyone benefits when all are included! Many of us have experienced challenges obtaining employment. If you have a developmental or intellectual disability those challenges take on a whole new dimension. You have skills. Yo…
April 21, 2021
Our culture places great emphasis on rugged individualism. Our heroes and role models are risk takers who face overwhelming odds and obstacles but, in the end, through grit and determination come out on top. They prevail! …
April 15, 2021
Everyone wants to live a beautiful life, but in every life we are faced with challenges. Many of those challenges involve processing grief over the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, or the loss of the dreams …
April 7, 2021
Legal planning is intimidating, but nobody wants to leave others on shaky ground. The key is a Well Laid Foundation, and friend of the show Dan Blauw is here to help us understand some of the important parts of that foundati…
March 31, 2021
Part 4 of our Exploring Autism Series digs into what happens after 10 years old? As usual our friends at Brains give us plenty of amazing information, and there is a followup powerpoint ON OUR BLOG so stop on by and follow a…
March 17, 2021
Join us as we discuss "Charting the Life Course" with the Resource Analyst Tracy Vincent in our 2 part series about this wonderful framework that can be applied in everyone's life! We've posted the slides discussed in this e…
March 10, 2021
Tax Season is here and at the request of a listener we've reached out to the ARC of Oakland County's Executive Director Tom Kendziorski Esq. to go over their incredibly helpful tax guide! Find the resources mentioned in this…
March 3, 2021
Today's episode provides some tips on how to effectively reduce stress and improve communications within families living with ASD and other developmental disabilities. This podcast is based upon the Effective Parenting Serie…
Feb. 24, 2021
Few people enjoy walking on a tightrope, but that is what working while depending on SSI for benefits feels, lose your balance and everything falls to the floor. We continue our episode with Hillary Hatch, helping us to unde…
Feb. 17, 2021
Most government benefit programs are infused with a level of complexity that is inappropriate for the faint of heart. Social Security is no exception., This episode is part 1 of a 2 part interview with Hillary Hatch a spec…
Feb. 10, 2021
Today, Navigating Life As We Know It explores how Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) advocates and DRM lawyers advise individuals with disabilities of their rights and responsibilities while they advocate for their human, civi…
Feb. 3, 2021
Today we're back with our friends at BRAINS to discuss autism between ages 0 and 10 as part of their workshop program. This is the 20th Episode of NLAWKI and the 2nd out of 4 episodes with BRAINS. If you'd like to see us foc…
Jan. 27, 2021
Join our discussion with Together For Choice national director Amy Kim and board chair Scott Mendel as we delve into the complex choices around housing and the principles of choice for the disability community. Support the s…
Jan. 20, 2021
Therapeutic Riding can be incredibly helpful for many individuals, but we've always wanted to know more about why horseback riding can be so helpful. Thankfully we have a riding center here in West Michigan that was more tha…
Jan. 13, 2021
Visiting with our friends at BRAINS we dived into the first part of their program by trying to understand the Diagnostic Criteria and Mind-Body Connection related to Autism. Check out OUR WEBSITE and join us on Patreon to su…
Dec. 16, 2020
Join us for a discussion about ABLE accounts with Sarah Kirkpatrick. If you're dependent on SSI, at this time you are limited to less than $2,000 in significant assets and savings, but we all know that costs sometimes greatl…
Dec. 10, 2020
Today NLAWKI Welcomes Micaela Connery, CEO and founder of The Kelsey . Micaela will share their work in advancing disability-forward housing solutions through development, advocacy, and partnerships that open doors to more …
Dec. 2, 2020
***WARNING*** The topics in this episode might not be suitable for everyone. This episode covers the period of time during which one of the twins passes. This is an intense and very raw subject that is addressed directly. Pl…
Nov. 25, 2020
We take a dive into Michigan Rehabilitation Services programs and offerings with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Cassaundra Wolf. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/NLAWKI)
Nov. 18, 2020
Steve's visit with Attorney Dan Baluw, discussing the various legal aspects of Housing for people with disabilities! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/NLAWKI)
Nov. 4, 2020
Part one of a special miniseries that will be aired on key dates, Navigating Life with Lliam is a walk through of the experiences and circumstances that have defined our own journey and eventually led to Navigating Life as w…
Oct. 28, 2020
Take a few steps towards understanding Grassroots activism with local organizer, lawyer, and candidate for state legislature Lily Chen Schulting. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/NLAWKI)
Oct. 21, 2020
When discussing Ableism, Media, and how they interact, there are few people as qualified Dr. Beth Haller, so of course we went and got ahold of her and from that comes an episode in a slightly different format than our usual…
Oct. 14, 2020
Earlier this year we met with Brett Williams and went over several bills currently moving through various legislative circles that will have an impact on several aspects of life for individuals with disabilities and their fa…
Oct. 7, 2020
Early in our Podcast journey we had the pleasure of touring the Friendship Circle location in West Bloomfield Michigan, seeing the work done at the Soul Studio, and enjoying a nice lunch at the Soul Cafe, and as we left we d…
Sept. 30, 2020
Nearly every special needs parent or caregiver has heard at some point the acronym HCBS or mention of the venerable Olmstead Act, and Michigan DD Council Legislative Liaison Brett Williams is bringing the goods to help us al…
Sept. 16, 2020
Steve talks to the Executive Director of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council Vendella Collins about the Council, what it does, and what that means to you, and for our non-Michigan listeners, there's a council nea…
Sept. 9, 2020
Part two of our interview with Jackie Eddy and Ann Sickon of the Center for Independent Futures is about The Full Life Model®. The tasks of everyday living often leave us exhausted but unfulfilled at the end of the day…or s…
Sept. 2, 2020
One of our first interviews back in October 2019, Steve's interview with the Center for Independent Futures (CIF) Executive Director Ann Sickon and New Futures Initiative Consultant Jacqueline Eddy hits on many topics relate…
Aug. 26, 2020
Part 2 of our interview with Liz Bauer. This is our interview with a pioneer in disability rights, self-determination and inclusion. Liz Bauer, a woman of uncommon determination and courage, identified the inequities experi…
Aug. 19, 2020
Elizabeth "Liz" Bauer has been fighting for disability rights on the ground from the very beginning. Liz is a legal advocate for disability rights nationally and internationally starting the 1980s. She has consulted in the U…
Aug. 12, 2020
The first look at Navigating Life as we Know It. This is a "special" episode where Steve and Kerry talk a little about what can be expected in upcoming episodes. Help Support NLAWKI by becoming a Patron at https://www.patreo…