Individuals with Disabilities Among Those Negatively Impacted
by Recent Pause on Federal Funding
Services for over 2 million Michigan residents with disabilities to
stop under funding freeze
LANSING—With the announcement of a pause in federal funding for grants, loans and other financial assistance programs, Michigan’s 15 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are working diligently to assess how many services and resources will be immediately impacted for people with disabilities. Some services and resources will end as soon as February 1, 2025.
Michigan’s CILs provide services and resources for people of all ages and all disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 14% of Michigan adults have one or more disabilities.
CILs are authorized under Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act and are supported by funding from a variety of federal, state, and local sources. They provide an array of Independent Living services and supports tailored to the needs identified by the local disability community.
Michigan’s CILs work with individuals with disabilities in all 83 counties, including providing assistance to disabled veterans who face homelessness and providing temporary ramps for people to access their homes after an injury or surgery.
“Our Centers provide vital services and resources for people with disabilities,” said Alex Gossage, Chair of Disability Network/Michigan’s Board of Directors and Executive Director of Disability Network Washtenaw, Monroe, and Livingston. “A pause in federal funding means an immediate interruption of these services that many rely on to navigate the barriers that exist for people with disabilities.”
While each CIL designs their programs and resources based on local needs of the community, all CILs provide five core services: Advocacy, Information & Referral, School to Work Transition,
Peer Support, IL Skills Support, Transition to Community Based Living. These five core services empower people with disabilities to participate in their families, work, and communities.
“It is our hope that this pause in current federal funding contracts is lifted as soon as possible. This decision will have far-reaching consequences for some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Teri Langley, Executive Director of Disability Network/Michigan. “Michigan’s CILs have partnered for many years with the federal, state, and local governments in providing assistance to ensure people with disabilities are not forgotten. Continuing this partnership is critical.”
Disability Network/Michigan represents the collective voice of the state’s 15 Centers for Independent Living. DNM focuses on leadership development, relationship building, effective communication and mobilizing around issues that will have the greatest impact on delivering high-quality independent living services to people with disabilities.