At ACI's Smoothie Party, participants learned how to make smoothies from healthy, fresh ingredients! Everyone worked together to create and sample smoothies in flavors such as strawberry banana, pineapple mango, and "very berry". Some groups even created their own recipes! It was a great way to cool down on a hot summer afternoon.
On July 26th, ACI staff, volunteers and friends gathered at the Edison Township Mayor's office to commemorate the 28th Anniversary of the American's with Disability Act. Mayor Thomas Lankey read a proclamation, which recognizes the significance of the law and to "proclaim, Thursday, July 26, 2018, to be a day of celebration and renewed commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act." The event also included a ceremonial raising of the disability flag in front of the Edison Municipal Complex and featured speeches by CJ Dodge, Nybil Ghanem and Luke Koppisch. We would like to thank Mayor Lankey and Edison Town Council President, Ajay Patil, who also attended the event.
To watch the full ceremony, please visit: http://108.58.128.218/CablecastPublicSite/show/1110?channel=1
On Monday, July 16th, REV UP NJ hosted the 3rd annual National Disability Voter Registration Week Kickoff at the State House Annex in Trenton. This event, attended by disability and voting rights organizations, disabled self-advocates, Midterm candidates, NJ legislators, and members of the community, celebrated the power of the disability vote while encouraging increased voter turnout.
Represented at this event were many disability and voting organizations including AAPD, NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, the League of Women Voters, National Disability Institute, Division of Disability Services, NJ Citizen Action, Disability Rights New Jersey, and TCNJ Center for Complex and Sensory Disabilities.
ACI and REV UP NJ have requested that the NJ candidates participate in completing a questionnaire to better inform NJ voters with disabilities on where they stand with important issues. Click the buttons below to read the responses that we've received so far.
HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A VACATION!
During the summer months, the need for emergency food often increases. Currently our food pantry is running low on many items. We are having great difficulty meeting the increasing needs of those we serve.
Please help replenish the supply of food at the county distribution site and guarantee that area residents with disabilities and their families have access to nutritious foods and necessities.
WE NEED ITEMS SUCH AS
Tuna fish, cereal, macaroni & cheese, condensed milk, canned meat, pastas, peanut butter, jelly, vegetables, stew, brown rice, fruits, paper products, toiletries & baby supplies (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, diapers and wipes). (Canned and packaged goods only, NO glass or perishable items).
Click here for more healthy suggestions.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR DONATIONS!
Your anticipated contribution to help ensure that we have a constant supply of these much needed food items to see us through the summer months.
DROP OFF DONATIONS AT
Alliance Center for Independence (1st floor), 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ 08837
On the evening of July 12th, ACI attended a Plays in the Park production of Mamma Mia! It was a fantastic night of great acting and singing the hit songs of ABBA. This musical, as with all the Plays in the Park productions, had fantastic stage design, costumes, and music. Thank you to the Plays in the Park staff for making it a great night. Lastly, thank you Jackie Neill for your years of service and all the help you have given ACI over the years!
On July 16th, dozens of disability advocates and voting rights experts will mark the annual National Disability Voter Registration Week with a kickoff event at the NJ State House Annex on 131 West State Street in Trenton. Time is set for 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. This event is open to the public.
This purpose of the day is to underscore the importance of the disability vote in this year’s gubernatorial election. “With nearly 10% 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.
The National Disability Voter Registration Week Kickoff event will feature noteworthy speakers on the voter rights of people with disabilities, including advocates with disabilities. Scheduled speakers include: Zach Baldwin, advocate at the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and National REV UP Organizer, Mercedes Witowsky, Executive Director of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, Scott Elliott, Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, Norman Smith, Associate Executive Director, Project Freedom, Inc. Christopher Miller, representing Disability Rights NJ and Eulanda Brooks, civil rights and voting rights advocate.
