Advocacy in action

Community living services staff provide extensive, daily ongoing training and support required for individuals to participate and live in their community.
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Peace of mind

Your loved ones are safe with us. WMU Senior Day Services offers comfort and care for those who need supervision or want to stay active throughout the day.
Senior assistance
Meaningful activities

Community connections at the Center for Disability Services promotes community involvement and volunteering while teaching individuals new skills.
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Experiential learning

Our center provides students with an opportunity for innovative learning and discovery in the field of disabilities through internships, volunteering and student employment.
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Welcome to the Center for Disability Services

For over 35 years, the Center for Disability Services has been providing services for people with disabilities. Today, the center is a multi-service agency that provides more than two hundred thousand hours of service annually to over 250 individuals. The center operates as a community service under the auspices of the College of Health and Human Services. The range of services for adults includes Community Connections, Supports Coordination, Community Living Services and Senior Day Services. We are particularly proud of our experience and orientation toward respecting the individual, and promoting their well-being. The center also provides WMU students with an opportunity for innovative learning and discovery in the field of disabilities through internships, field experiences, volunteering and employment.

35+

years serving the community and training students.
About the center
247

individuals enrolled in 2017
Our services
177,764

total hours of direct service in 2017
Give
104

student employees in 2017
Student application

Ishler Wellness Lab to expand interprofessional clinical education at CHHS

July 30

During the fall 2018 semester, Sandra Glista, master faculty specialist in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, will begin to assemble faculty partners from the College of Health and Human Services for interprofessional collaboration related to the wellness lab.

Alligator Sanctuary

CDS consumers participate in Wednesday Winners program

July 12

Community Connections participants at the Western Michigan University Center for Disability Services have been part of South County Community Services’ Wednesday Winners, a free program designed for adults with disabilities.

Gift being presented

Major gift supports adult wellness lab

July 9

President Edward Montgomery and his wife, Kari, joined CHHS and WMU Development and Alumni Relations for a special dinner at the Gilmore House to thank the Ishler family for their significant gift to name the new adult wellness laboratory in the soon-to-be remodeled Center for Disability Services Adult Wellness building.

Svinicki and Perez receiving award

CDS receives community partnership award

June 13

The Western Michigan University Department of Psychology hosted its inaugural Community Partnership Awards on June 7. Representatives from the Center for Disability Services and WMU Aging Services were in attendance to receive the Outstanding Commitment - Community Partner Award.