As part of our continuing efforts to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the election process, the Alliance Center for Independence and REV UP NJ would like to learn about your experience voting in the last election. We are asking our constituents with disabilities and their family members to fill out the following survey.
Posts filed under Advocacy
NJ COVID-19 Disability Action Committee Release Report on People with Disabilities and the Pandemic
A group of leaders and advocates representing the broad range of people who have disabilities in New Jersey will release a report about how COVID-19 has impacted the disability community. The report released on Friday, October 30, 2020, describes how the State’s preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic failed to meet the critical needs of people with disabilities and their families. It also acknowledges the rights of the community as guaranteed by various State and Federal laws.
The New Jersey COVID-19 Disability Action Committee (DAC) is a 23-member panel that calls for changes in New Jersey’s operating procedures, programs, and laws as well as the assumptions underlying them as they affect people with disabilities. The report cites severe deficits in the State's preparation, planning, and response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the risk of illness and death in our community.
ACTION ALERT: Is Your Ballot Drop Box Inaccessible? Let Us Know!
Although the election is November 3rd, many Jerseyans have already cast their ballot using the mail-in drop box that have been set up throughout the state.
However, we have received complaints from voters with disabilities who say that some of these boxes were placed in inaccessible locations or positioned in a way that makes it difficult for someone using a wheelchair to use.
Some mail-in ballot drop boxes, for example, have been placed in locations that are not accessible by curve cut, or on sidewalks that leave little room to maneuver a wheelchair.
If your mail-in ballot drop box is located in an inaccessible spot, ACI and REV UP NJ would like to know! Contact Luke at lkoppisch@adacil.org. We are gathering this information in order to advocate on this issue with the NJ Division of Elections. Also, please contact your county's Board of Elections and let them know the situation. Click here to find your Board of Elections.
If you have questions, please contact Luke at lkoppisch@adacil.org.
TAKE ACTION: Tell Governor Murphy to Fund NJ’s “B” Centers for Independent Living!
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the 11 Centers for Independent Living have been essential in providing support to New Jerseyans with disabilities and their families. From wellness checks to assistance with food and medication delivery to conducting support groups online, NJ's CILs have been meeting the challenges brought on by the pandemic. While our services have become more expansive and more important than ever to our consumers, CILs are struggling to provide the additional services under financial hardship.
Under the Federal CARES Act, New Jersey has received $1.95 million dollars for independent living services under the Rehabilitation Act.
In NJ there are B and C Centers for Independent Living, unfortunately, no federal funding was included specifically for "B" Centers throughout the country, in Title VIII of The CARES Act.
In NJ the centers affected were the Alliance Center for Independence, Atlantic Center for Independent Living, DAWN, Inc., Center for Independent Living of South Jersey and MOCEANS. As a result, thousands of NJ residents with disabilities are unable to get the needed services supported by the CARES funding. The Governor and the state legislature must consider additional funding for NJ's Centers for Independent Living " B" Centers in their proposals.
Governor Murphy Signs into Law Expanding Access Link Services During an Emergency
On Tuesday, August 12th, NJ Governor signed into law Senate bill S-362, which would require NJ Transit’s Access Link services to operate during a state of emergency if it is determined it can be done safely.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (Burlington County), and Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully (Bergen County), Roy Freiman of Somerset County) and Senator Joseph Cryan (Union County).
Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, ACI has advocated to get NJ Transit to provide services during an emergency.
ACI would like to thank the Governor and the sponsors of the bill for recognizing and addressing the transportation needs of people with disabilities during an emergency.
NJ State Reopening Survey - Summer 2020
The Alliance Center for Independence wants to hear from you!
As the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in NJ, the state has entered “Phase 2” of reopening. This means that restaurants, public facilities, and retail stores are now open (with limitations) to customers. Establishments have reconfigured their spaces (including outdoor seating for restaurants) in order to comply with social distancing and other guidelines.
In our continuing advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI is asking our constituents to provide feedback on accessibility of the establishments you are now patronizing. Please fill out the survey below and help make NJ more accessible during the reopening process!
If you have any questions, please contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org
Thank you!
NJ Reopening and the ADA
As the disability community in NJ and around the county prepare to mark the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, the Alliance Center for Independence wrote to the Governor Murphy's administration urging him to remind businesses of their requirements to comply with the ADA. As the state starts to reopen and recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic, ACI is concerned that retail stores and restaurants will not make their establishments barrier free and welcoming to people with disabilities. Below is a letter sent to Paul Aronsohn, NJ's Ombudsman for People with Developmental Disabilities and their Families expressing our concerns.
