The Center for Disability Services at Western Michigan University serves individuals with disabilities or those who are aging by offering a range of services. Listed below are our services and how to get enrolled in each.
Community Connections (skill building)
Our Community Connections program provides adults with disabilities with an array of services to help them function independently within their community. The program emphasizes community integration and independence by providing volunteer opportunities, community-based experiences and on-campus activities for our consumers in a supported environment. Using a person-centered approach, our trained staff work with individuals to strengthen their functioning in communication, activities of daily living, socialization and skills.
Before enrolling in our program, we encourage you to tour our facilities to see our program, meet staff and visit with consumers. We will discuss personal goals, health, support needs and expectations at this meeting. If you choose to attend, an intake meeting will be scheduled to finalize agreements, arrange transportation and set a start date.
Call (269) 387-7414 to schedule a tour with the program coordinator.
Community Living Services
Community Living Services at CDS provides up to 24 hours of in-home supervision and support for individuals with developmental, physical and intellectual disabilities, or those who are aging. The client’s needs are met through an individualized plan of services and goals set forth by coordinating with family, caregivers, physicians, guardian, etc.
If you or someone you know could benefit from in-home care services, call us at (269) 459-8465 to set up an in-home meeting.
Supports Coordination
Our experienced Supports Coordinators are dedicated to providing you or your loved ones with high quality support services to enable independent living. By promoting self-determination for aging individuals and those with disabilities, our supports coordinators help to provide greater control and direction over services.
To speak with a supports coordinator, call (269) 459-8466.
Senior Day Services
To inquire about Senior Day Services, we encourage you to start by having a short phone conversation to determine if the potential participant fits the profile for which the program is designed. Our goal during the initial telephone conversation is to determine if the individuals level of care needs is beyond our capacity.
We welcome family caregivers and the individual to take a tour of our program. During the tour, we also discuss the care needs of the participant, any challenging behaviors and any other pertinent information to ensure the individual will be a good fit.
The prospective participant is then invited to attend one session of the program as a no charge “trial” visit, with no commitment to enroll. During this shortened day, the prospective participant can spend time at the program and see if they enjoy it. If the client does well in the program and chooses to enroll, a schedule is set, normally for two or three days per week. The family caregiver is assisted in completion of all necessary enrollment information, transportation is arranged, a weekly schedule is made and the participant can begin attending our program.
To get started, call us at (269) 553-3370.