ACI joined dozens of organizations throughout the county for the 12th annual Day of Mourning, sponsored by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). This vigil remembers individuals with disabilities who have been murdered by a family member or caretaker. Participants held candles as they read names of the victims. Personal reflections were also shared.
On September 14th, individuals with disabilities from across New Jersey gathered at the Statehouse in Trenton to showcase the power of the disability vote!
The event was sponsored by REV UP NJ and the Alliance Center for Independence and took place during Disability Voting Rights Week, a national effort by REV UP to get those running for elected office to listen to the concerns and issues of their disabled constituents. The event also featured many great speakers including NJ Assembly Speaker, Craig Coughlin and a live performance by musician, Cory Singer.
REV UP NJ is a chapter of REV UP, a national effort of the American Association of Persons with Disabilities (AAPD).
For additional information, please contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org or visit adacil.org/voting
On the night of March 1st, ACI joined disability advocates across the nation in a Day of Mourning Vigil in Edison. The vigil remembered and honored disabled victims murdered by their parents or caretakers. The emotional ceremony included speeches, poems and reading the names and ages of the 550 victims who were murdered between 2021 and 2023. This adds to a growing list of 1600+ names.
The national Day of Mourning is a time for the disability community to commemorate the many lives cut short. By honoring disabled victims and celebrating the lives they lived, the vigil sends a message that disability is not a justification for violence and disabled lives are valued.
ACI would like to thank Eugene Meyers of NorthJersey.com and USA Today Network and Della Crews of News12 for their recent reporting on this important issue.
Written by Nybil Ghanem, Disability Advocate and I&R Specialist for ACI…and VOTER!
Throughout the history of the ADA, disability advocates all across the country continue to fight tirelessly for our civil rights, as well as including accessibility into the mix, at every level at every turn! This will be 32 years since the passing of The Americans with Disabilities Act, more commonly known as The ADA!
It doesn't just begin and end, with every broken sidewalk, no, but with every broken wheelchair, with every broken job turn down, or with every broken healthcare restriction, to every broken piece of assistive technology, that is constantly needing enforcement for change! The ADA helped 'pave the way' for a more inclusive America and with the goal of fighting for endless inclusivity in our homes, in every door entrance, and beyond! These are a few prime examples of how disabled individuals' lives are affected and how far we need to go.
From advocating for NJ Workability on a state level, to increasing funding for all the NJ Centers for Independent Living on a state level, to updating ABLE Laws on the Federal Level, the ADA proclamation was truly just the beginning, but certainly not the end! All people with disabilities and our supporters must continue to let not just our voices be heard, but our rights must be heard even louder!
Disabled and Proud is this disability advocates war cry as I 'wheel on' and march onward to freedom! Onward to strengthening our rights under the ADA!
The Alliance Center for Independence would like to recognize and congratulate the tireless efforts of advocates who worked on getting the Americans with Disabilities Act passed and signed into law 32 years ago on July 26th. This landmark civil rights law has had a profound impact on the lives of people with disabilities in the area of employment, local and state services, areas of public accommodations, and telecommunications.
However, our fight continues. While the ADA has been the law of land for over three decades, the struggle for compliance rests on the shoulders of the present generation of advocates. Employment among people with disabilities remains low, nursing homes and institutions are still warehousing people with disabilities, the fight for simply curb cuts on streets and accessible parking spots still go on.
ACI supports and salutes those who never give up!
Through a grant from the Centers of Disease Control Foundation and Able South Carolina, ACI is partnering with the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunity Center (DVAO) to increase access to the COVID-19 vaccinations among NJ residents with disabilities. Efforts include removing barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining vaccinations and combating vaccine hesitancy.
ACI is working with the Middlesex County Health Department to organize mobile vaccination units and pop up vaccination sites at events throughout the area. If your organization is interested in having a mobile vaccination unit or pop up unit at your event, contact ctonks@adacil.org
Is the lack of accessible and safe transportation preventing you from getting your COVID vaccine or booster shot? ACI may be able to assist. Call us at 732-738-4388
For more information about vaccinations, including where to get your vaccine, contact:
Disability Information and Access Hotline at 888-667-1199 or acl.gov/dial
NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: covid19.nj.gov
Alliance Center for Independence at adacil.org or the ACI helpline at 732-738-1941
The Disability Advocacy Committee, of which ACI is a member, has been working on advocating to make changes to the NJ WorkAbility program. NJ WorkAbility offers people with disabilities who are working, and whose income would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid, the opportunity to receive full Medicaid coverage.
Legislation, A5262 and S3455, is pending in the NJ Legislature to make 5 changes that would benefit more people with disabilities who which to return to work but continue to receive Medicaid. These are…
The removal of the unearned income limit
The removal of the earned income limit
The removal of the current upper-age limit of 64
Continued coverage for 12 months following a job loss
The exclusion of spousal income and resources in the applicant's eligibility determination
Please click on the link below to send letters to the Senate and Assembly leadership and Governor Murphy before the current legislature expires in January: actionnetwork.org/letters/please-support-nj-workability-bills-a5262-as-introduced-and-s3455
