AmeriCares Grant & Workshops

ACI continues to distribute emergency supplies, including emergency kits, first aid kits, among other items to people with disabilities under a grant from AmeriCares. ACI will also be conducting 4 workshops on emergency preparedness during the Summer of 2013.

"Our partnership with AmeriCares allows us to help more individuals prepare for the next emergency or disaster." - Carole Tonks, Executive Director

Our first workshop took place at Woodbridge Developmental Center on June 25. 35 residents of the center attended, many of whom shared their experiences during Hurricane Sandy. Upcoming workshops: July 1st with AdvoServe in Branchburg, August 13th at our office in Edison, and September 17th with the MS Support Group in Metuchen. 

On June 18th, the ACI staff met with with Lindsay O'Brien, Hurricane Sandy, Project Manager at AmeriCares. "Our partnership with AmeriCares allows us to help more individuals prepare for the next emergency or disaster", says Carole Tonks, Executive Director. "We appreciate Lindsay's support and assistance."

The ARC of Middlesex's Raritan Career Center Open House

On June 21, the ARC of Middlesex's Raritan Career Center held an Open House to celebrate their grand reopening. The Center, located on 97 Sunfield Ave, Raritan Center in Edison, provides job skills and vocational development. It sustained heavy damage from Super Storm Sandy in late October and as a result became unusable for 7 months. During this time, individuals assisted at the site were dispersed to other Arc of Middlesex facilities.

Staff from ACI attended the Open House, which was hosted by Debbie Aidelman, the Arc of Middlesex, Director of Vocational & Supported Employment Services.

For more information about the center, please visit arc-middlesex.org/programs/vocational.html or call 732-346-1695.

Talking Books DEMONSTRATION

Mary Kearns-Kaplan of the NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center provided ACI staff with a training on services for people with visual impairments and other disabilities that prevent one from reading printed material.  The Center which is part of the Library of Congress, provides digital format books and specialized digital players to eligible individuals and organizations that assist with people with disabilities. 

ACI has become a member of the  NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center and its collection of talking books and digital players are available for use in our office.  For more information about the Talking Book service, contact Mary at 609-406-7179 ext. 834 or go to www.njltbbc.org. Contact ACI to make arrangements to use our books and players.

ACI's Nybil Ghanem shares his experience as a Poll Worker

"I cannot wait to do it again! It teaches oneself how to be a more knowledgeable U.S. citizen, as well as a great advocate!" - Nybil Ghanem

On June 4th, Primary Election Day, our very own Nybil Ghanem had his first experience as a District Board Official, more commonly known as a Poll Worker. Nybil received his certification through the Board of Elections by taking a class where he learned how to set up voting machines and fill out the voting books.

During his experience, he got to meet some of the candidates who were running and saw first hand who really cares about the issues related to someone with a disability. Nybil recommends that everyone should get to know their local municipal clerk's office and local party chairs as a way to be properly informed of what exactly they represent.

ACI Meets with the Governor's Sandy Representative

On June 10th, Richard Rebisz, Hurricane Sandy Regional Director, Office of the Governor, met with ACI staff, including Executive Director Carole Tonks. Mr. Rebisz wanted to know more about the Alliance and our efforts to assist people with disabilities during the hurricane and its aftermath. We shared some of the barriers faced by many people disabilities receiving hurricane-related services as well as the issue of isolation people experienced after the storm.

LAKEVIEW SCHOOL'S WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

ACI had the privilege to attend the Working in the Community Celebration   with our very own Ashley Gomez. Ashley has been volunteering with the Alliance since October 2012 as part of her SLE program at the Lakeview School. The celebration showcased all of the local community business  who took part in the program. We are looking forward to partnering with the Lakeview School in the Working in the Community Program.

Middlesex County Public Hearing - Transportation

On June 6th, 2013, the Middlesex County Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on the Senior Citizens Disabled Residents Transportation Assistance Program's FY 2014 budget. This is an opportunity for the public to give their input and express their concerns this program, which funds the county's Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) service.

WHEN: June 6th, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

WHERE: Middlesex County Administration Building 1 JFK Square, New Brunswick, NJ 08901