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.

ACI Food Pantry is Still Operating During the Coronavirus Pandemic

If you are a low income person with a disability or are impacted by the pandemic and need food…we can help!

The ACI Food Pantry is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM during the coronavirus pandemic. We still continue to get donations of food and are fully stocked with canned vegetables, fresh milk, peanut butter, bread, water, and other essential items. We also have a limited number of masks and gloves.

Please call 732-738-4388 to schedule an appointment for curbside pickup outside of the ACI office, located at 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ.

The ACI Food Pantry is a proud member of the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS).

ACI strictly adheres to CDC and state health department guidelines regarding social distancing and maintaining virus-free environments.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health, Emergency Preparedness.

Hospital Visitation Policy

The NJ Department of Health (DOH) issued the hospital visitation policy for people with disabilities effective April 25, 2020.

DOE now considers a designated support person essential to patient care people with disabilities. As a result, hospitals must allow a designated support person to be with the individual during hospitalization. The policy needs to be broader including all disabilities that may require a support person. Please send your concerns to jean.devitto@doh.nj.gov

ACI, as well as many other advocacy groups and individuals, have been advocating on this issue for the past month. Thank you to all of those who sent letters to the Governor. Thank you to Paul Aronsohn, Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families and Christine Bakter, Associate Director who ensured our emails made it to the Governor's desk. We appreciate your efforts!

Be sure to read the letters that ACI sent out regarding this policy at the links below.

Broaden Hospital Support Letter

Critical Care Letter

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health, Advocacy.

ACI and Advocates Provide Input on COVID-19 Policy

ACI was given the opportunity to provide comment on the document entitled, "Allocation of Critical Care Resources During a Public Health Emergency" issued by the NJ Department of Health on April 11, 2020. As the Health Department is finalizing its policy on how critical care resources are distributed during the coronavirus crisis, ACI and its partner advocates provided needed input to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities and their families/guardians are included.

Below is the letter that ACI sent to the Department of Health.

Letter to Department of Health

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health, Advocacy, Emergency Preparedness.

Concerns NJ Disabled Face During Coronavirus...Let Governor Murphy Know!

The Alliance Center for Independence and its allies have compiled a list of some of the most pressing issues facing people with disabilities in NJ (based on our contact with our constituents) and have presented them to state emergency, legislators and human services officials. We recently submitted the list to Governor Murphy. (See below)

We are urging people with disabilities and their family members to write to Governor Phil Murphy to let him know of the issues you are facing during this crisis. During most crises, the issues facing people with disabilities are often crowded out by others...but we can change that!

Coronavirus Guide for People with I-DD

To better prepare our community during the recent Coronavirus outbreak, we put together this downloadable guide filled with numerous tips and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Download it at the links below!

DOWNLOAD GUIDE (PDF)

DOWNLOAD GUIDE (TEXT ONLY)

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health, Emergency Preparedness.

Coronavirus Update from the Alliance Center for Independence - Partial Suspension of ACI Activities

UPDATE on 3/17/20: To protect our consumers and visitors, there will only be staff at the ACI office as of March 18th. We are taking all precautions to stay well and will be here to assist you as long as we can. We will continue to assist our food pantry customers. Please contact us if you need assistance.

At the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), our priority is to protect and support our consumers, staff, volunteers and visitors. We have been taking several proactive precautionary measures, including implementing new and rigorous cleaning routines, and staying in close communication with our health officials.

Following the guidelines of the federal government and state officials, we decided to minimize our gatherings in order to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.