Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council

Want to build your disability advocacy skills and connect with others working toward change?

Join MDRC for our Disability Advocacy Training Series, a set of virtual trainings focused on assisting advocates looking to create more inclusive communities. This series promotes building power by working in community to strengthen disability justice, advocacy, and inclusion.

Registration is open now.

Sign up for individual trainings on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/disability-advocacy-training-series-4844798

Together, we can build stronger, more inclusive communities led by disabled people and rooted in justice.

[Image description: Square promotional graphic for the Disability Advocacy Training Series. The top includes the Leaders for Inclusion and Michigan Disability Rights Coalition logos. Large navy text reads “Disability Advocacy Training Series.” Below, three virtual trainings are listed with dates and times: Cause Advocacy Part 1 on Thursday, June 11; Cause Advocacy Part 2 on Thursday, June 18; and Disability Advocacy Workshop: Preparing for Meetings with Legislators on Thursday, June 25. Each training runs from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. The graphic notes that ASL and CART captioning are provided and includes a green “Register on Eventbrite” button. The bottom includes details about how MiDDC funds the program and its logo.]

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month we're highlighting assistive technology (AT) that can support mental health and wellness. Here are some of our favorite mobile apps that can help with emotional regulation, building healthy routines, and making tasks feel more manageable:

Finch: AT Specialist Caitlin Hurban's favorite. This app adds fun and motivation to building healthy habits through a self-care pet game to work toward your personal routines and goals. Learn more here: https://finchcare.com/

Calm: Supports relaxation and mindfulness with guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing exercises. Note: many features require a paid subscription. Check it out: https://www.calm.com/

PTSD Coach: Recommended by MATP Program Director Aimee Sterk. Developed by the VA, this free app helps people manage stress, track symptoms, and learn coping strategies after experiencing trauma. Learn more: https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach

A companion to the PTSD coach is PTSD Family Coach: Living with a family member who has PTSD can be stressful. This free VA app is designed for concerned family members and loved ones. It can help you learn about PTSD, take care of yourself, manage your relationship, and support your loved one in getting the treatment they deserve. See more: https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-family-coach

Goblin Tools: One of AT Specialist Abby Squires's favorites. Goblin Tools is a collection of small, simple, AI-powered tools designed to help people (especially those who are neurodivergent) manage tasks that feel overwhelming or complicated. Tools include Magic ToDo, which breaks complex tasks into smaller steps; Formalizer, which adjusts the tone of your writing; Judge, which identifies the emotional tone of a piece of text; Professor, which explains topics in simple terms; Estimator, which approximates how long a task will take, and more! Learn more: https://goblin.tools/

Have you tried any of these apps? Are there others you'd recommend? Share them in the comments so we can build a list together!

[ID: A flyer for mobile apps for Mental health, has a picture of a phone with the finch app picture of a Birb with text: "Finch- Build healthy habits with a little fun.", the Calm logo with text: "Calm: support relaxation and mindfulness.", PTSD Coach logo with text: "PTSD Coach- Manage stress, track symptoms and learn coping strategies.", and a Goblin Tools logo with text: "Goblin tools- simple, single-task tools to help manage overwhelming tasks." There is a succulent to the left of the phone and both are upright on a desk. A MATP logo is on the bottom left. Text: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Support in Your Pocket. Mobile apps can support emotional regulation, healthy routines, and managing everyday tasks. End text.]

What difference can fruits & veggies make? Millions!

In 2025, SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks generated $12.4 million in sales of fruits & veggies. Now that’s a big local impact! Learn more during and get involved: doubleupfoodbucks.org/awareness-month