RICC Announces Leadership Workshop for

Members and Prospective Members in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor, MI--The Washtenaw Regional Inclusive Community Coalition (RICC), a group of people with developmental and other disabilities and their allies in Washtenaw County, invites the public to participate in its local advocacy group. An upcoming free training is available for anyone who may be interested in participating in the Washtenaw RICC.

Michigan has over 50 local/regional RICCs in the state, made up of people who have disabilities, family members of people who have disabilities, supportive staff, and community partners. RICCs have four main functions: (1) to provide a forum for addressing local issues; (2) to reach out to all community members; 3) to advocate for and help make needed changes in the community; and (4) to inform the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council about local problems and issues for people with developmental or other disabilities.

Members of each local RICC work to make positive change in their local community, and together the state’s RICCs work to make positive change in the state of Michigan and the nation as a whole. Through local programs, networking, political action and hands-on advocacy, RICCs work to see people taking control of their own lives by making their own choices. Each RICC helps people with disabilities to become leaders in advocacy in the local communities it serves. RICCs build community coalitions, sponsor workshops, provide training and support to rally around issues. RICCs are charged with recognizing the diversity within each Michigan community and addressing the needs of culturally- diverse people with disabilities. The Washtenaw RICC has chosen to focus on the needs for housing, jobs and transportation for people with disabilities.

The training, presented by the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition's Connections in Community Leadership (CCL), focuses on the four leadership styles and how to best work with people of each style. It will be presented Friday, July 25, 2014 from 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. at Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD). To RSVP for the training, or to participate in monthly RICC planning meetings, contact Chairperson Erin McMahon by July 7th by emailing [email protected] or calling (734) 546-4227. For more information on RICC, call Erin or staff person Jen Gossett at (734) 662-1256 x206. RICC can provide transportation assistance for people with disabilities who are interested in joining RICC to attend the training.