Local Disability Community Commemorates Lives of Disabled Filicide Victims

As part of a nation-wide Day of Mourning, the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), a non-profit center for independent living based in Edison will be holding a vigil on Friday, March 1, to honor the lives of disabled people murdered by their families and caretakers.

This event is part of a nation-wide effort organized by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a Washington, DC- based disability advocacy organization. ASAN has compiled a list of over 1300 reported murders of people with disabilities by relatives or caregivers over the last 40 years.

In the past 5 years, 570 people with disabilities have been murdered by their parents, relatives or caregivers, according to ASAN. The first filicide was in 2012. ACI has been holding its annual local filicide vigil since 2014.

“The purpose of this annual event is to mourn our brothers and sisters in disability but also bring public awareness to this often dismissed, yet tragic issue,” says Carole Tonks, ACI Executive Director and organizer of the event.

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release.

Local Disability Community Commemorates Lives of Disabled Filicide Victims

As part of a nation-wide Day of Mourning, disability rights advocates in the Edison area will be holding a vigil on March 1st, to honor the lives of disabled people murdered by their families and caretakers.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), which tracks these cases, has compiled a list of over 1300 reported murders of people with disabilities by relatives or caregivers over the last 39 years. The total number of killings is likely higher than the amount which are reported in news media.

This problem is made worse by irresponsible news coverage which presents these murders as the sympathetic acts of loving and desperate parents, by a justice system which often gives a lighter sentence to a parent who kills a disabled child, and by the dangerous cultural prejudice that says a disabled life is not worth living.

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release.

Personal Assistance Services Program Now Offered at the Alliance Center for Independence

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) is very pleased to announce we are now administrating the State funded Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP) in Middlesex County. We thank the Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services for the award of the PASP grant.

ACI launched the administration of the PASP program in August and is enjoying the opportunity to work with the many consumers the program serves. Additionally, ACI plans to expand the program to include new participants.

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release.

Alliance Center for Independence and REV UP NJ Will Host a Disability Voting Event in Trenton on September 19th

On September 19th, dozens of disability advocates and voting rights experts will be attending The Power of the Disability Vote, an event held at the NJ State House Annex on 131 West State Street in Trenton. Time is set for 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM. This event is open to the public.

The purpose of the day is to underscore the importance of the disability vote in this year’s gubernatorial election. “With nearly 12% of the state’s population identifying themselves as having a disability, we need to show the candidates that our issues need to be addressed,” says Carole Tonks, Executive Director of Alliance Center for Independence.

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Voting, Press Release.

The Alliance Center for Independence Launches a New Disability Podcast!

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) has recently launched a podcast that focuses on issues important to people with disabilities in NJ and throughout the country. The first episode was dropped on August 30th.

Chica and the Disabled Dude is hosted by Brenda Cazares, ACI’s employment services coordinator, and Nybil Ghanem, ACI’s Information and Referral Specialist. Nybil, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, will provide his first-hand perspective on work, living independently and breaking down attitudinal barriers. Brenda, a Spanish speaker with vast experience in the disability field, will showcase the unique issues facing Hispanic people with disabilities.

The podcast will feature guest interviews and on location broadcasts. Upcoming topics include: sex and people with disabilities, voting rights, employment, etiquette and accessibility.

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release.

Join us for ACI's Family Fun Day this Saturday!

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) will present Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 25th. The event will take place at 635 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ, behind St. Paul the Apostle Senior Housing. Rain date: July 9th 2022.

Family Fun Day is open to the public and geared towards people with disabilities and their families.

Free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots will be provided by the Middlesex County Health Department. St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick will be on hand to distribute free COVID-19 kits. The event will also feature small games, prizes, ice cream and a food truck.

“The purpose of this event is to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated while providing a fun day for people with disabilities and their families.” says Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI.

Participants who receive a vaccine or booster and complete a vaccine survey at the event will receive a free $25 ShopRite gift card and a ticket for free ice cream.

“We know many people in our community have not been vaccinated. We wanted this event to reach those that don’t traditionally seek our services, including individuals with disabilities whose primary language is Spanish.” said Kim Garcia, ACI’s Public Health Program Coordinator and one of the interpreters at the event.

Family Fun Day is made possible through a grant from the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center.

For more information, contact Kim Garcia at 732-738-4388 ex. 123 or kgarcia@adacil.org

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Posted on June 23, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Social Rec, Press Release.

ACI CommUnity Market Grand Opening

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) is happy to announce the grand opening of its reimagined food pantry, the ACI CommUnity Market!

Join Edison Mayor, Sam Joshi, members of the Edison Township Council, and other supporters on Thursday, April 7th for the ribbon cutting ceremony! This in-person event will take place at 629 Amboy Ave (S & P Building) Suite 110, Edison, NJ 08837 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

Since 2016, ACI’s food pantry has assisted hundreds of low-income individuals with disabilities and their families. Demand for our food pantry increased tremendously throughout the COVID-19 crisis. “During the pandemic, we shut down the office and staff worked at home, but we kept our food pantry doors open,” said Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI. “There was a need in the community and it was important for us to meet that need.”

The CommUnity Market concept will feature consumer choice and customer service while expanding our assistance to disabled individuals and their families facing food insecurity. Staff will also help individuals apply for SNAP and make referrals to social service organizations and other food pantries in the area. The CommUnity Market will also offer training to individuals with disabilities interested in working in the retail business.

The ACI CommUnity Market is 501(c)(3) not-for-profit serving Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties and is supported by PSE&G, Unity Bank, REPLENISH of Middlesex County, Guarantee Rate, and individual donors.

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Posted on April 6, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release.