Would you like to communicate in your own language and the language that is most comfortable for you? Now, thanks to the latest technology, you can! Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can now hold telephone conversations much easier than before by using sign language. AT&T just introduced a video relay service that enables individuals to use sign language to communicate to a certified interpreter who relays the conversation over the phone in spoken language to the hearing party. All individuals need to utilize this service is a computer, a high-speed internet access line, and a web camera, free software will be available for download from the AT&T web site (www.relay.att.com/vrs) that will allow individuals to use the video relay service.

Having access, and knowing one has access, to legal information is of the utmost importance. There is now a new website out that will assist individuals in navigating the legal system. The site is divided into 16 categories. The topics it addresses include but are not limited to what parents need to know about special education, tenant’s rights, and how to answer a complaint when sued. One of the biggest challenges individuals who need legal assistance encounter is finding the right attorney. This website will also help individuals in finding names and phone numbers for various legal offices throughout New Jersey. The website is www.lsnjlaw.org and was created by Legal Services of New Jersey.

Do you feel as though your needs are not being met by your personal care attendant? Are you not satisfied with the services and as a result your quality of life is diminished? Never fear; there is a better way. Take control! The Cash and Counseling program is designed to give you freedom in choosing your own caregiver, when the care is provided and how it is provided. Recipients are given a monthly allowance that they can use to hire family or friends as caregivers, or they can use it to purchase assistive technology or home modifications related to their personal needs. Studies have shown that satisfaction with caregivers was much higher for those in the Cash and Counseling program than those who had agency-directed care. It also reported less unmet needs of the recipients. This program is now being piloted in Arkansas, New Jersey and Florida. For more information, please call 888-285-3036.

New Jersey Protection & Advocacy has been named as one of the 1^st recipients of a grant establishing protection and advocacy for people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). One of the goals of the program is to ensure that individuals with TBI and their families in NJ have continued and enhanced access to responsive, appropriately delivered P&A Services to assist in eliminating barriers and increasing access to comprehensive, coordinated programs and services including high quality health care. To make this happen, NJP&A will provide information and referral, individual and family advocacy, legal representation, and specific assistance in self-advocacy to individuals with TBI and their families. For more information, please contact Janet Gwiazda at 800-922-7233.

 The Guttenburg Scholarship continues to provide financial assistance to qualified students with disabilities who are interested in pursuing engineering, technological, or management careers at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Interested individuals must apply through the standard admissions process; however, when contacting them for an admissions form, also ask them for a scholarship form. The scholarship, which provides a minimum of $2500, may be applied toward the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and/or a multitude of services available at NJIT to meet the special needs of students with disabilities. For more information, please call 973-596-3300.

Are you concerned about your health but do not have insurance to go visit the doctor for physicals? If so, you may be eligible for free breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screenings. You must be a resident of Middlesex County. For more information, call Joy at 732-745-3127. 

Do you enjoy traveling but don’t do so often enough because you are hesitant about whether your destination will have the proper accommodations? Fear not! Visit www.thedisabledtraveler.com and take the fear of the unknown out of traveling. Take pleasure and comfort in knowing that your trip will be a success. On the site, learn how to prepare for a trip, find out which locations are accessible to you as each individual has unique needs, and take a virtual tour of an individual with a disability who has traveled without a hitch.