Rewriting the Rules: Fund the Michigan Disability Conference

This fundraiser is organized by Humanities 101.

Tax deductible

Help Us Reimagine Disability Leadership in Michigan

We’re building something historic—and we need your help to make it happen.

On Friday, October 24, 2025, the Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference will bring together disabled leaders, students, families, educators, healthcare professionals, and advocates from across the state for a groundbreaking event at Henry Ford College in Dearborn.

Our theme:

“Rewriting the Rules: Disability Leadership for a New Era”

This first-of-its-kind, statewide conference centers the lived experiences, innovation, and leadership of disabled and neurodivergent Michiganders—from high school students to seasoned policy advocates. Co-hosted by Humanities 101 Foundation and Dream Dearborn (a group of future doctors and Henry Ford College alumni), this is more than an event. It’s a movement.

Why This Conference Matters

Disability justice in Michigan is long overdue for renewal. Too often, decisions about accessibility, education, healthcare, and employment are made without input from those most impacted. This conference flips that script.

We are:

Amplifying disabled voices across age, race, and region
Empowering students to lead, innovate, and reimagine inclusion
Bringing together professionals and grassroots leaders to share real solutions—not just theories
Creating a space that is multilingual, multi-generational, and deeply human

We’ve already secured partnerships with organizations like the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, Self-Advocates of Michigan, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, and Michigan Alliance for Families. Educational institutions including Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Dearborn Public Schools are also engaged as active participants in shaping the day.

How the Funds Will Be Used:

Our co-hosts are covering much of the core planning and programming—but we need your help to make this event as inclusive, equitable, and impactful as possible.

Your support will help us cover:

Accessibility services (ASL, Arabic, and Spanish interpretation)
Transportation and lodging for disabled panelists and student presenters
Workshop materials, signage, and printed programs
Youth engagement activities and sensory-friendly spaces
Professional audio and video production for greater post-event access
Snacks, meals, and comfort accommodations for attendees
Inclusion is not optional—it’s essential. And inclusion requires investment.

Who You’ll Be Supporting

A high school student from Inkster sharing a new design for accessible playgrounds
A college student from Wayne State presenting a workplace strategy for neurodivergent inclusion
A panel of disabled parents reimagining community health systems
Educators learning how to implement Universal Design in real time
A Deaf community leader facilitating a workshop in ASL
And hundreds of attendees who will leave with new strategies, new connections, and a renewed sense of belonging

Join Us in Building the Michigan We All Deserve

This is not charity—it’s solidarity. It’s a chance to say:

Disabled leadership matters. Accessible spaces matter. Community care matters.

Whether you can give $5 or $500, your support builds a future rooted in access, empowerment, and equity. And if you can’t give, you can still share this campaign with others who believe in disability justice.

Mark your calendars: October 24, 2025

Location: Henry Ford College, Dearborn, MI

Thank you for helping us rewrite the rules—with compassion, creativity, and community at the center.

With gratitude,

The Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference Team

(Co-hosted by Humanities 101 Foundation & Dream Dearborn)

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