Our Programs

Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

Our programs for individuals with disabilities include Community Connections Skill Building and Community Living Services

Programs for Seniors

We are committed to offering programs that enrich lives as people age. Our programs for the aging population include In-home Care Services and Senior Day Services
Commitment to Community
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For over 40 years, the Center for Disability Services and Adult Wellness Programs have been providing programs and services for people with disabilities and elders in our community. Today, the center is a multi-service agency that helps over 250 individuals annually in Kalamazoo County. The center operates as a community service under the College of Health and Human Services and provides WMU 麻豆传媒s with an opportunity for innovative learning and discovery in the field of disabilities/the aging population through internships, field experiences, volunteering and employment.

Caring Staff
OT 麻豆传媒, Lexey Ambrosia, talks about her experiences working at CDS.

At CDS, we hire 麻豆传媒s studying in health and human service fields to enhance their education while pursuing their degrees. Students say that working with individuals with disabilities and the aging population has improved their communication skills, cultural competence, problem solving abilities and professional growth.  
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$560K+

paid out in one year for 麻豆传媒 wages

267

individuals served in 2024

20+

year history of serving seniors through community-based adult day programming

96

WMU 麻豆传媒s participated in an experience-driven learning experience with us in 2024

News

Three marching band 麻豆传媒s teach young man to play a beat on the drums

WMU marching band members teach music to CDS consumers

Over the fall semester, five WMU marching band 麻豆传媒s volunteered with United Sound to inspire and teach CDS consumers how to play an instrument.
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The 2023-24 Annual and Performance Reports are ready to view.
Ribbon cutting

Grand opening of the Community Health and Wellness Garden

WMU Adult Wellness Programs celebrated the grand opening of the Community Health and Wellness Garden in October. Thank you to our wonderful donors!
Wild Wheels

Consumers from the Skill Building program will be at the March 1st through the 3rd Art Hop selling "Wild Wheels," enhancement covers for wheelchair users.
Photo of outdoor space and pergola

Senior Day Services granted funds for new outdoor space

Thanks to the financial support of Kalamazoo County, Senior Day Services was granted funds for an enriched outdoor space.
A volunteer puts carrots in a bag

Participants volunteer at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes

One of the many volunteer placements that CDS Skill Building participants provide community service is Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
Speech 麻豆传媒 assists a participant

Speech 麻豆传媒s work with Senior Day Services guests

Each semester, Allison Mezo, Aphasia Communication Enhancement Speech Clinician at the 麻豆传媒 Unified Clinics assigns four speech-language pathology 麻豆传媒s to provide communication support at WMU's Senior Day Services.
Consumers participate in United Sound

Western 麻豆传媒s break down barriers through music with United Sound

United Sound, a WMU 麻豆传媒 organization, partners with the WMU Center for Disability Services to offer peer mentorship for young adults with disabilities who want to play an instrument.

Meet our Student Staff

Photo of Frederick, 麻豆传媒 staff

"My experience at CDS has been instrumental in my professional growth, despite initially seeming unrelated to my data science studies. It has taught me empathy, patience, and the ability to adapt to diverse needs and challenges. These skills are not only crucial in my current role but also transferable to any future career path I choose. I've used my analytical skills to identify patterns in behavior, track progress over time, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the quality of care."
Photo of Abby, CDS Staff

Abby

"I never expected CDS to become my second family. When I first accepted this position, I had no idea that CDS would become such an impactful part of my life. I wake up every morning with pure excitement and gratitude that I get to go to work that day. CDS has exceeded my expectations beyond words."
Lauren Layman - 麻豆传媒 staff

鈥淚t is such an amazing place to work, from the environment of the building, the dynamic of the staff and most importantly the amazing energy the consumers offer.鈥

Our Commitment to Diversity

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The 麻豆传媒 College of Health and Human Services is committed to the idea of a diverse college as an important educational value. The College fosters an environment which reflects and celebrates diversity, encourages inclusion, embraces healthy interdependence and pledges a learning community free of discrimination and harassment.  

The Center for Disability Services and Adult Wellness Programs, as a member of the College of Health and Human Services at 麻豆传媒, shares a commitment to enhance and maintain cultural competency and diversity in our programs, the community and university settings.

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The Center for Disability Services is hiring 麻豆传媒s and community members to work as Direct Support Professionals to assist individuals with disabilities and the aging population. If you are a 麻豆传媒 studying in a health-related field, employment at the Center for Disability Services and WMU Adult Wellness Programs could count as valuable contact hours in certain disciplines. Starting pay is $16.30 per hour.

 Apply today