Alliance Center for Independence
10 people, including students from Edison High School, learned about traveling independently using NJ Transit buses and trains at a workshop conducted by the NJ Travel Independence Program (NJTIP). Thank you to Louis Hoffman of NJTIP for his informative presentation.
For more information on NJTIP, please click visit the Rutgers University website.
ACI hosted a very informative seminar on the federal Fair Housing Act and how it applies to people with disabilities. Presentations were given by Dinorah Velez and Wanda Nieves, both from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Edward Haas, NJ Division on Civil Rights. We look forward to working with them on housing issues.
As part of our Independent Living Skills program, ACI offered a very informative workshop on banking, including opening an account, how to save, avoiding debt, and wise use of credit cards. The workshop, conducted by Yolanda Sweeny, Vice President-Community Consultant at PNC Bank, took place on August 20th.
On August 22nd and 23rd, over 100 volunteers and individuals with disabilities took part in the ACI sponsored Emergency Preparedness Overnight Exercise. This event, the first ever in NJ and 2nd in the country, took place in Piscataway at the Livingston Recreation Center of Rutgers University.
ACI partnered with FEMA, Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the American Red Cross and Rutgers University to simulate an emergency shelter experience. This event assisted in an ongoing effort to improve the ability to provide service and support to individuals with disabilities during disasters. ACI would like to thank all of the stakeholders, volunteers and participants who took part in this important event.
Be sure to read the Edison Sentinel article on the event!
If you are interested in disaster training in your area, please contact Carole Tonks at 732-738-4388 ext. 118 or ctonks@adacil.org.
This past August, Dymelza Calderon, and Abhishek Seth from KK Dental of Edison held a workshop at ACI on dental care. The class emphasized the importance of dental care as part of overall general health. KK Dental will soon be offering their services at a substantial discount to ACI members. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
On June 19, Kean University Interior Design students, Amena Alfrak, Theresa Fafara, Paulina Mazur, Yolanda Toledo, and their faculty advisor, Assistant Professor Kristina Junkroft, unveiled their final design proposal for ACI's expanding office space. We are happy to have work with such a creative, professional and hard working team, who really make sure to incorporate our vision into the final product. Thank you to the students and Prof. Junkroft!
