News Archive
2019
CDS employee, OT student to present at national conference
Caceti Dobrowolski, a graduate student in the occupational therapy program and CDS student employee, has been selected to present her research poster at the American Occupational Therapy Association national conference on April 5
WMU Adult Wellness Programs on track for October move-in date
Renovations have started at the future home of WMU Adult Wellness Programs located at 110 Cork St, and are on track to be completed in September.
Pup comforts consumers at CDS
The community connections skill building program at the WMU Center for Disability Services recently acquired a new volunteer - Jethro the pet therapy dog. Earlier this summer, Jim and Heather started bringing Jethro to visit participants on Thursday mornings.
WMU softball team volunteers at CDS
On November 2, seven members of the WMU club softball team participated in a service-learning project at the Center for Disability Services’ community connections program.
2018
Renovation will begin in 2019 to house WMU’s Adult Wellness Programs
Planning has been underway for major renovations for the property at 110 Cork St. in Kalamazoo, purchased in June of 2017 to house WMU’s Adult Wellness Programs.
New occupational therapy student experience at Senior Day Services
Prior to the beginning of the fall 2018 semester, WMU occupational therapy master faculty specialist, Berit Miller, arranged to have her OT 3840 class visit participants in a both an adult and pediatric community setting. WMU Senior Day Services was chosen to be one of the programs that the students visited during the semester.
Exercise science student intern gets consumers moving
Garrett Seiler is a senior at Western Michigan University studying exercise science and will be graduating this semester. Since August, Garrett has been instrumental in designing an exercise program for consumers attending the community connections skill-building program at the Center for Disability Services at WMU.
2017-18 Performance Improvement Report
The 2017-18 Performance Improvement Report for the Center for Disability Services, part of the College of Health and Human Services, is available online.
Ishler Wellness Lab to expand interprofessional clinical education at CHHS
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.
CDS consumers participate in Wednesday Winners program
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.
Major gift supports adult wellness lab
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.
CDS receives community partnership award
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.
SLP instructor, students support consumers at CDS
Elizabeth Nagler, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a part-time instructor for the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. She and her students visit consumers at CDS to address deficits and seek augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) solutions by using iPads to target basic skills in therapy.
CDS welcomes new staff at Community Connections and Supports Coordination
The Center for Disability Services at Western Michigan University welcomes two new staff members, Sandra Simmons and Jessica Lewandowski to their team.
AACORN Farm visits SDS
Staff and participants from AACORN Farm brought several baby goats to WMU Senior Day Services in March.
New clinical practicum benefits students, community membersBeginning this semester, speech language pathologist (SLP) Kathy Rigley-Rowell, along with three SLP graduate students and one undergraduate SLP student, initiated a clinical practicum experience at WMU Senior Day Services.
Center for Disability Services Awarded Accreditation
Western Michigan University's Center for Disability Services received the highest level of accreditation from a national organization that promotes quality, value and optimal outcomes of services for people with disabilities during an accreditation visit in December 2017.
2017
Center for Disability Services appoints new supervisor of Senior Day Program
Jessica Torrey, has been appointed Supervisor of Programs and Activities for Senior Day Services at Western Michigan University’s Center for Disability Services.
2016
Veterans enjoy a day at the Air Zoo
In celebration of Veterans Day, WMU Senior Day Services veteran participants visited the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
Students gain experience at WMU Senior Day Services
This fall, students from the Bronson School of Nursing and the occupational therapy and psychology departments at WMU will work with participants from WMU Senior Day Services to further their knowledge in their respective disciplines.
Senior Day Services welcomes Pretty Lake campers
WMU Senior Day Services welcomed 14 camp ambassadors and five staff members from Pretty Lake Camp in July to engage in multigenerational activities.
Summer 2016 Center for Disability Services Newsletter
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Center for Disability Services in the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University. This newsletter offers updates on programs, services, academics, faculty, staff and student achievements, campus events and other items of interest for the WMU and Kalamazoo communities.
Occupational therapy faculty member brings sabbatical research to CDS, Unified Clinics
Berit G. Miller, master faculty specialist-professional specialist of occupational therapy, was granted sabbatical during the fall 2015 academic semester to engage in research regarding the Beckman Oral Motor Intervention techniques.
Center for Disability Services appoints new supervisor of Senior Day Program
Liza Rouse, RN, has been appointed Supervisor of Programs and Activities for Senior Day Services at Western Michigan University’s Center for Disability Services.
2015
Fall 2015 Center for Disability Services Newsletter
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Center for Disability Services in the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University. This newsletter offers updates on programs, services, academics, faculty, staff and student achievements, campus events and other items of interest for the WMU and Kalamazoo communities.
CDS staff partner with Psychology
Psychology faculty specialist, Jon Baker, and doctoral candidate, Chris Walmsley have recently partnered with the Center for Disability Services (CDS).
Occupational therapy students and faculty from Ulster University in Northern Ireland recently visited WMU and toured the Center for Disability Services.
Consumer chosen for United Way campaign
Because of her success with CDS’s United Way funded Healthy Lifestyles program, Jenny was chosen to be a face of the 2015 United Way Campaign.