[Image Description: Overall large square shape with blue raised fist to the left; bold text block to the right of it reads, “21 Day Challenge: Disability Justice”; Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo above the text and United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region logo across the bottom of the entire block.]

Thank you for your interest in the 21-Day Equity Challenge focused on Disability Justice – we hope you will join us. This equity challenge is made possible through the valuable partnership between United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and Disability Network Southwest Michigan. Our two organizations share a vision for our community where every person is equitably supported, and all people benefit with full access and inclusion.

We all know something about disability. Whether you are a person with a disability, know someone with a disability, or have simply seen people with disabilities, we probably all have an idea what we think it means to have a disability. During this month, we invite you to learn more about disability from a position of equity and pride. The 21-Day Disability Justice Challenge, which is modeled after our 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge,  will run through the month of October 2021. It is designed to raise your awareness, increase your understanding, and shift your perspective about disability in our culture.

The content in this Challenge will cover topics including the history of the disability justice movement, intersectionality, language, ableism, representation, accessibility, systemic inequalities for people with disabilities, allyship, disability pride, and resources for continued learning. The email you receive each day will include opportunities to learn more about these topics by watching videos, listening to audio clips, reading articles, and answering discussion questions.

Accessibility: All videos included throughout this challenge are captioned. Some content includes audio description, and some includes transcription. All images and infographics will include image descriptions. Please reach out to our team at getinvolved@uwbckr.org at any time with any questions about accessibility and/or accommodation requests.

What to expect:

• For 21 days you commit to deepening your awareness, increasing your understanding, and shifting your perspective about disability in our culture.
• Each morning of the Challenge, you'll receive an email with readings, videos, and/or audio clips along with discussion questions. You are encouraged to take at least 15 minutes each day with the material in the email, choosing the style of learning that best works for you
• Explore this work on your own, with friends and family, or organization-wide.
• Capture your daily reflections and actions using our activity log. Click here to download the log.
• Don't forget to follow our organizations on social media for continuing learning and engagement opportunities!
• Follow United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
• Follow Disability Network Southwest Michigan on Facebook and Youtube!

Note: This Challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., Dr. Marguerite Penick-Parks and Debby Irving and has been adapted by organizations including Food Solutions New England and the Michigan Association of United Ways.