"I want to improve acceptance, community integration and employment opportunities for people in my community who have disabilities. They are individuals with strengths and challenges just like everyone else."
- Kris Keranen

About Us

Based in Marquette, Michigan, we've been serving people with disabilities, their families, and the wider Upper Peninsula community since 1998. Our staff provides information, referrals, support, and advocacy services to people with a wide variety of disabilities. We also work on a larger scale, helping governments, businesses, and other organizations make changes that improve life for everyone in the community.

Our Mission

SAIL promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities into our communities on a full and equal basis through empowerment, education, participation and choice.

Our Values

We believe that disability is best understood by people who experience it;

We believe that disability is a natural part of the human condition;

We believe that a disability doesn't exist until someone encounters a barrier;

We believe in partnering with people to create change.

Our Goals

Goal #1: Provide a comprehensive program of Independent Living services to people with disabilities in our designated service area.

Objective 1A: To improve public transportation services and options.

Objective 1B: Increase the number of accessible, affordable and safe housing options and address the needs of our homelessness population.

Objective 1C: Increase accessibility in our local U.P. communities.

Objective 1D: Reduce barriers to employment for our U.P. residents with disabilities.

Objective 1E: Increase awareness of the use and value of A.T. as a means to increase independence.

Objective 1F: Increase access to health care and long-term care community living supports.

Goal #2: To provide options and opportunities for on-going community supports critical to independent living.

Objective 2A: Increase community awareness and education of the need and value of inclusive community activities.

Objective 2B: Increase access to disability related information necessary in attaining independence.

Our Network

Our office is part of a state and national network serving people with disabilities (www.dnmichigan.org). On the state level, we have a board of directors, participate in committees, share ideas, address public policy issues with our legislators, and seek funding to build the network.

On the federal level, many of us belong to the National Council on Independent Living (www.ncil.org). This group monitors and encourages advocacy on federal legislation, as well as the policy that governs federally funded centers like ours across the US.