Making Detroit the Most Accessible City in America
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Since 2018, Detroit Disability Power has been building the political power of disabled Detroiters.
Our mission is to ensure Detroiters with disabilities have full access to our city, from transit and housing, to voting rights and the arts.
We’re not a minority. We’re a movement.
30.4%
16.6%
27.3%
24.4%
of adults in Michigan are disabled, according to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)
of children in Michigan are disabled, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
of Michigan’s total population is disabled, according to MDHHS and the CDC
of Michigan voters are disabled, according to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
*Much of this data is self-reported and often only includes disabilities recognized by federal or state agencies. The actual count of disabled Michiganders is likely much higher. Our work includes a call for better data collection, state and citywide. However, here's what we know for sure: we are at least a third of the population. It's time we act like it.
How We Build Power
Power is the ability to make decisions on how resources are spent – resources like tax dollars, labor, and time. When disabled people are in charge of making these decisions, we make decisions that benefit everyone: all bodies, all minds, across all seasons of life. Disabled leadership is the path towards a fully inclusive society. Here's how that comes to life at DDP:
Grassroots Organizing
From Detroit City Council to the state legislature, we advocate and win. We mobilize residents to get our demands met.
Access Consulting
We work with other institutions, business, universities, and more to help them develop more accessible work spaces.
Modeling Access
We prioritize user-friendliness, sustainability, and adaptability in all we do. Beyond that, we work to ensure the ways we do all our work includes rest, care, and space for people to be human. We're creating a movement that leaves no one behind.
DanceAbility
We offer free and recurring outlets for expression and connection through art and dance.
Cross-Issue Coalitions
Our staff and Members represent the disability community across local and statewide initiatives to bring about justice.
Poll Audits
We're on the ground each election day ensuring all our polling sites are compliant with ADA requirements.
DDP in the Media
Op-Ed: New mayor, City Council must serve disabled Detroiters
The Metro: What Michigan’s midterm voting signals about access and equity
A disabled Detroit veteran sought housing assistance. A program designed to help failed him
Accolades & Awards
2024 Community Justice Partner Award from State Voices
2023 Community Organization Award from Mary Turner Center For Advocacy
2023 Game Changers Award from The Detroit Tigers
2021 District 6 Award from the Office of Councilmember Raquel Castañeda-López
2022 Sharon Parks Award from Michigan League of Public Policy
2021 Myra Wolfgang Award from Detroit Jews for Justice
2021 District 1 Community Hero Award from the Office of Senator Stephanie Chang
Detroit Disability Power is fiscally sponsored by Michigan Disability Rights Coalition