education

Americans With Disabilities Act Celebrates 33 Years Of Service

On July 26th, celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Since its signing in 1990, the ADA has played a crucial role in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) takes great pride in offering Vocational Rehabilitation services, supporting the independence and employment goals of blind and visually impaired individuals. They work closely with businesses, ensuring workplaces are equipped with adaptive equipment and accommodations.

Meanwhile, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) collaborates with individuals facing various disabilities, offering a wide range of services to aid in job preparation, job-seeking, and job retention.

As we celebrate the ADA’s achievements, let us also recognize the ongoing efforts of organizations like BSBP and MRS, who tirelessly work to empower individuals with disabilities. 

For more information, visit: Michigan.gov/BSBP and Michigan.gov/MRS.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

SC4’s New Theater Summer Camp Opening For Young Thespians

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is introducing a new theater summer camp for students in grades 1-9. The camp will take place from July 17th – 21st, at SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre. 

Participants in grades 1-3 will attend from 9 am – 12 pm, while those in grades 4-9 will join from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

The primary goal of the camp is to foster self-assurance on stage, encourage creativity, and provide a fun and stress-free acting experience. This theater camp is an excellent addition to SC4’s lineup of athletic and STEM-based summer camps.

Throughout the week, camp participants will collaborate on various short scenes, culminating in performances on July 21st. 

To register for the camp, interested individuals can visit sc4.edu/camps. The registration fee is $125 per student. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Enhance Your Children’s Summer Vacation With SONS Outreach Dream Camp

SONS Outreach is gearing up to provide an exciting and enriching summer experience for elementary-age children with their Dream Camp program. 

Lasting four to five weeks, this day camp offers a wide range of activities that promise to captivate young minds. From serving breakfast and lunch to engaging in arts and crafts, field trips, story time, recreation, STEM activities, and devotion time, Dream Camp aims to create a well-rounded experience for participants. 

The cost for each student to join this adventure is $25. The program boasts a team of adult staff members, accompanied by high school student mentors and senior citizen volunteers from the St. Clair County Council on Aging. 

Camp start and orientation begin July 5th and 6th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For more information visit: sonsoutreach.org/events.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Area YMCA Offers Programs For Seniors Dealing With Arthritis

Calling all seniors! If you’re looking for a low-stress workout that can help ease arthritis symptoms, look no further than the Arthritis Aquatics program at the Blue Water Area YMCA. 

Immerse yourself in the soothing properties of water as you enjoy gentle movements that engage every joint and muscle group. The aquatic environment provides natural support, making it an ideal low-impact workout while still providing the benefits of aerobic exercise. This is especially beneficial for individuals who need to prioritize joint health.

YMCA members can participate for free, while non-members can join for a program fee of $26. To register, visit the YMCA in person or complete the online registration before August 11th.

These programs are made possible by donations and support from community members like you, so please volunteer your time, or donate to the YMCA’s Open Arms Campaign to help continue these programs and more. 

For more information, visit bluewaterymca.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Registration Opens for NOMA’s 2023 Project Pipeline Summer Camps in Detroit and Kalamazoo

The Detroit Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) has announced the opening of registration for its 2023 Project Pipeline Summer Camps in Detroit and Kalamazoo. 

The week-long camp in Detroit will begin Monday, July 28th, at 9am, at the University of Detroit-Mercy, while the camp in Kalamazoo will start on Thursday, July 27th, at 9am, taking place at North Kohrman Hall on Western Michigan University’s campus. 

The annual Project Pipeline event aims to challenge youth to recognize the significance of architecture in their daily lives and understand the broader implications of design. It seeks to serve and expose underrepresented communities to the field of architecture and design. 

By connecting young individuals with real-world architects, planners, and other design professionals, NOMA aims to nurture the growth and preparation of a diverse future generation of design professionals.

For more information and to register, visit: nomadetroit.org/project-pipeline. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Government Funded Meeting Reveals Teachers Plotting to Hide Information from Parents

Teachers in the Midwest are accused of disregarding parents’ concerns and laws with the help of the federal government. A meeting, funded by the Department of Education, and hosted by the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center was held to aid teachers in facilitating gender changes for trans students at school without parental knowledge.

Republican laws concerning sex and identity were criticized during the session, where approximately 30 teachers attended the four-hour online gathering, they strategized on bypassing regulations in Republican-run states regarding gender, pronouns, names, parental rights, bathroom access, and sports teams.

Some teachers claimed to follow the rules, while others argued that personal ethics should supersede existing legislation. Kimberly Martin, a DEI director in Michigan, revealed plans to hide certain information from parents, stating, “We’re working with our record-keeping system so that certain screens can’t be seen by the parents… if there’s a nickname in there we’re trying to hide.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell