With the presidential election coming up on Tuesday, November 5, keep in mind that accessible voting is a freedom entitled to every citizen – including you! BSBP encourages you to educate yourself about the voting process, advocate for your needs, and vote! 

Accessible voting includes procedures that encourage people with disabilities to participate in elections. These options may include accessible voting machines, mail-in ballots, curbside voting, and assistance from individuals or election officials. However, these options are not always guaranteed, which is why advocating for voting rights is essential.

Before voting, it can be helpful to educate yourself on the election process and what rights you are entitled to as a person with a disability. State-wide and national voting laws, such as the Help America Vote Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, require polling places to provide accessible voting. If you are concerned about the process on election day, take initiative to learn what local resources are available to you; this could include contacting your local office and asking about your specific needs (Disability Network has some great one-on-one initiatives). There are many resources you can look into (we’ve linked a few below) if you’d like to learn more.

On the day you vote, make sure to clearly communicate your needs and ask for help to meet your accommodations, whether from election officials or from your friends and family. If you face problems when trying to vote, please make sure to report the issues to your local election officials and to the advocacy organizations listed below. Your input will go a long way in helping eliminate the same barriers for others in the future.

Finally, share the wealth with your friends and family – your knowledge and experiences can be helpful for others new to voting or new to navigating voting accessibly! Being an informed advocate for yourself and others is the best way to create a more inclusive voting process. Only by education and going to the polls can we guarantee everyone’s opinion will be heard and counted!

Voting resources for individuals with disabilities:

• State of Michigan Accessible Voting Information
• The Blind Voter's Guide to Voting (National Federation of the Blind)
• Voting Toolkit: Accessible Voting for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision (American Council of the Blind)
• Disability Network Advocacy (find your local member)

During this Zoom webinar, BSBP transition consultants will be providing an overview of the BSBP referral process, taking a deep dive on Potentially Eligible vs. Vocational Rehabilitation case types, a review of territory list, overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation continuum, conflict resolution, BSBP Newsletter and upcoming programs.

Register at https://bit.ly/BSBPTransitionSeriesNov24.

OUB will be holding a Zoom event on Saturday, November 23 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to make Thanksgiving Treats, including pumpkin bars, caramel apples and other goodies!

Siblings are welcome! Please sign up as soon as you are able so we can send the materials list, zoom link and recipes.

To join us, email Aric Wallace at aricwallace@gmail.com with your child’s name(s), address, phone number and an email address where we can send more information.

Questions? Call Aric at 248-227-9855 or Gwen Botting at 616-755-2221.

View a PDF of the flyer.

BSBP is a member and collaborative partner of the Michigan Interagency Transition Team (MITT), which has recently published a guidebook that outlines the process of transitioning from special education into adulthood.

MITT is an organization focused on supporting individuals with disabilities as they navigate the transition from education to adulthood, making sure that districts provide students with adequate support. They focus on interagency collaboration, encouraging and working with schools to connect students with services from various agencies, including job training, work-based learning, community experiences, and health services. Formed in 2017 through the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition Capacity Building Institute, MITT comprises representatives from statewide agencies, including BSBP and Michigan Rehabilitation Services! 

MITT's newly released guide, A Guide to Transition from Special Education into Adulthood: A Family Resource, offers a straightforward yet comprehensive overview of transition services, eligibility criteria, and the roles of both parents and youth in the planning process. Written in plain language, the guide simplifies complex topics, equipping self-advocates and families with essential knowledge and resources for a smoother transition into adulthood. This guidebook is a great resource to reference, share with family and friends, and utilize as you move into the next phase of your life!

Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊! 

We would love to feature your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.