Using Your Voice
Your voice matters. Advocacy is about knowing your rights, expressing your needs, and working to remove barriers. We help you build the confidence to advocate for yourself.
We also work together to improve our communities. We partner with local governments, businesses, and organizations to ensure places and policies are accessible to everyone.
Whether you need help asking for an accommodation at work or want to join a movement for systemic change, we walk right beside you.
Equipping People with Disabilities to Speak Up, Take Action, and Lead Change
At Disability Network Lakeshore, we believe that advocacy begins with the individual. Our role is to support, guide, and amplify — not take over.
We help people with disabilities understand their rights, navigate complex systems, and build the confidence to advocate for themselves. When needed, we provide direct advocacy alongside or on behalf of individuals — but our primary goal is always to equip people to lead their own advocacy efforts.
We also work at the community level to break down barriers and advocate for systems that are more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all.
What We Can Help With
Self-Advocacy Support
We walk alongside individuals as they build the skills and confidence to advocate for their needs in areas such as:
- Education (IEPs and 504 Plans)
- Housing access and accommodations
- Employment and workplace inclusion
- Health care and service coordination
- Accessing benefits or transportation
- Navigating public programs and agencies
We provide tools, coaching, and resources so people can prepare for meetings, write letters, ask the right questions, and speak up with confidence. Practicing what you want to say before a big meeting can make all the difference — and we will practice with you.
Individual Advocacy
When self-advocacy is not enough or is not possible, our team can step in to help. We may:
- Attend meetings or hearings with you
- Assist with documentation or communication
- Advocate directly with service providers, landlords, or institutions
Systems Advocacy
Beyond individual cases, we work to change the systems that create barriers in the first place. Our team:
- Builds relationships with local and state policymakers
- Educates decision-makers on disability rights and accessibility
- Promotes inclusive policies and practices in public planning
- Engages the community in awareness campaigns and civic action
Our Approach
We believe advocacy is strongest when it comes from lived experience. That is why we focus on building self-advocacy skills first and offer direct support when needed. Our goal is to foster independence, not dependence — while ensuring no one has to navigate barriers alone.
Advocacy is not about being loud. It is about being clear: knowing what you need, knowing your rights, and asking in a way that gets results. Those are skills anyone can learn, and we have helped people of all ages and disabilities learn them.
Need Support or Want to Take Action?
Advocacy services are free for people with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties. Call us at (616) 396-5326 or connect through our contact form to get started.