ONTONAGON - Purple "Disable the Label" shirts were everywhere at the Regional Inclusive Community Coalition disability awareness event Friday in Ontonagon.
March is developmental disability awareness month and the event featured information booths and simulation activities.
Visitors used devices which simulated what it was like to have hearing, sight and strength disabilities so they could experience what it is like to have such handicaps. Michigan State University Extension had a booth featuring healthy eating. There was a transportation survey on working to get more hours for OnTran. Aspirus Ontonagon offered blood pressure and blood sugar testing.
A RICC booth explained all the services of its Ontonagon-Baraga Industries work programs such as the car wash, cleaning churches, yard work and janitorial work; and displayed pictures of the work.
Copper Country Mental Health, the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency, Ontonagon Village Recreation Commission and Shred All Hate exhibits were also part of the event.
Lunch and prize drawings were also included.
The Ontonagon RICC has been very visible in the community working with the Ontonagon Village Council on the Complete Streets Project, a countywide survey on transportation needs and with members on the Village Recreation Commission.