ACI Board of Trustees Recruitment Notice

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) is recruiting Board members.

ACI was established in 1986 and is a 501(c) (3). We are a consumer and community-based, grassroots organization that supports and promotes independent living for people with disabilities in Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties in New Jersey.  ACI recognizes disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.

ACI provides information and referral services, peer support, individual and self-advocacy and independent living instruction. ACI develops and implements educational programs and innovative activities that promote activism, health and wellness, emergency preparedness, housing, employment and independent living skills for people with disabilities and their allies.

ACI supports the philosophy of independent living for all persons with disabilities.

Prospective Board Members must be dedicated to our mission of promoting the full inclusion and participation of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of community life and the belief in the Independent Living Philosophy. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Board responsibilities include: oversight to ensure implementation of the organization’s mission with a high degree of quality and participate in the development and conducting of all fund raising activities.

If you reside in Middlesex, Somerset or Union counties and wish to be considered for Board appointments, please send a letter of interest and resume to: Carole Tonks, ACI, 629 Amboy Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837 or email ctonks@adacil.org. Please no phone calls.

Webinar for Medicare Part D Changes in 2014

A message from The Arc of New Jersey

Join us for a free webinar on November 15, 2013. Space is limited. Reserve your webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/299393721.

Beginning on January 1, 2014, there will be some changes in Medicare Part D, the federal drug benefit that is used by most dual eligibles (persons who have both Medicaid and Medicare) to obtain their prescription medications.

This webinar is for everyone who wants to know about Medicare Part D for the dual eligibles, including employees of DD provider agencies, family members, and health care professionals. The webinar will discuss the details of the changes and how they will affect individuals with developmental disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Title: Medicare Part D Changes for 2014 and Persons Who Have Both Medicare and Medicaid (The Dual Eligibles)
Date: Friday, November 15, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees: Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Mac®-based attendees: Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
Mobile attendees: Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

Senior Expo at the Somerset Senior Wellness Center

The county Office on Aging and Disability Services invites active adults age 60 and above, caregivers and persons with disabilities to a free Senior Expo to learn about programs, services and benefits that are available through county and community agencies.

The Senior Expo will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, located at 202 Mt Airy Road
Basking Ridge, NJ. Representatives from over 25 nonprofits will offer information, screenings and giveaways.

Between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Mary McGeary, director of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, will present “Health Care Reform Myths and Facts: What ‘Obama Care’ Means for Seniors and Families.”

Participants will be offered a free continental breakfast, and free blood pressure, glucose and balance screenings. Free flu vaccinations will be available to individuals who present their Medicare Part B insurance card. For all others, the cost of the vaccine will be $25, cash or check. Trained Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program volunteers will be on hand to provide free health insurance checkups and assistance with Medicare Part D analysis.

Registration is required by Friday, Oct. 25, for those who wish to have lunch. Participants will be given their choice of a grilled chicken sandwich or Portobello mushroom sandwich as an entrée.

Somerset County senior centers offer a wide range of experiences designed for lifelong enrichment in a social and uplifting atmosphere, intended to positively impact overall health. Many of these programs are funded, in part, through the Older Americans Act.

Visitors are invited to learn more about the Senior Wellness Center’s educational, recreational and entertaining activities, including wellness programs and health screenings. The center is operated by the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services and is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

For more information or to register, contact Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services at (908) 704-6346.

Knitting Class

 ACI recently finished a multi-session knitting class taught by our talented volunteers, Anju and Nicole! Over the past couple of weeks, they showed our participants the basics of knitting and how to made a knitted cell phone case. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Anju has years of experience with crocheting and recently took up knitting. Some of her work was showcased at the 10th annual Creativity Expo/Brain Injury Arts show in the Raritan Valley Community College Art Gallery. To read more about the Expo, check out the Summer 2013 issue of BrainWaves. Way to go Anju!

ACI Hosts Workshop on Title 3 of the ADA

About 20 advocates in Somerset County attended an event hosted by ACI on Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The presenter, Chuck Childers from the National Alliance for Accessibility, gave a very informative workshop that was geared towards advocates wishing to make businesses more accessible in their communities. Title III covers places of public accommodations. For more information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact ACI.

ACI Swims with Diana Nyad at Swim for Relief Fundraiser for Sandy Victims

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To mark the  one-year anniversary of the iconic disaster, long distance swimmer and recent world record holder, Diana Nyad, took part in a continuous 48 hour swim in a 120 foot, 2 lane pool in the  middle of New York City's historic Herald Square. On October 9th,  members of the ACI team were there alongside various celebrities, athletes, first responders and organizations to swim with Nyad and  support the cause. 

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This historic event meant a great deal of  importance to ACI, as team members Salma Harris and Millie Gonzalez both  lost their homes during Sandy and remain displaced nearly a year later.  Before her swim with Nyad, Salma had a chance to share her continuing  story of heartache and frustration in the aftermath of storm. While  fighting back tears, Nyad gave Salma some words of encouragement and  mentioned that she was the first Sandy victim to swim with her at the  event.

"Being a Sandy victim/survivor and having Diana Nyad bring  awareness to the public that many of us are still trying to rebuild what we've lost, it was an honor to be a part of the event." - Salma Harris

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ACI was chosen to take part in this great cause due to their partnership with AmeriCares, which involved a series of education seminars on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. For more details, please visit adacil.org.

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ACI  would like to extend a huge thank you to Lindsay O'Brien, Corey Langworthy, Randy Weiss, MacLean Cadman and Leslie  Gianelli from AmeriCares for the amazing opportunity to participate in the Nyad  Swim for Relief. We are grateful to AmeriCares and Citizen Paine for the opportunity to work with them on ensuring the venue was fully accessible for all participants. It was truly an honor and we are proud to be a partner!

We would also like to thank Maria Bournias, Salma Harris, Nybil Ghanem, Luke Koppisch,   Christopher Bedson, Aimee Maiorino, Jason Askoff, Brian Mazzarella,   Natalia Lapidus and Michelle Ford for being a part of our swim team and making us  proud! Lastly, a big thanks goes out to Doreen Nalbandian, Lisa Robinson, Zoe Bournias, Carol Barboni, Jose Cueva,  Iris Hernandez, Argenys Caba, Colleen Roche, Millie Gonzalez and James Michels for showing  their support and cheering our participants on at the event!

Swim  for Relief raised over $108,000 with $1000 on behalf of ACI. Proceeds benefited the AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.

The fundraiser will continue for 21 more days, so if you  wish to donate, please visit crowdrise.com/AllianceCenterforIndependence.

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Cornell University's Employees with Disabilities Workshop and Scholarships

Cornell University’s Employment & Disability Institute (EDI) is offering the Professional Development Experience for Employees with Disabilities program November 18-20, 2013. This Cornell University faculty and staff led program is designed to provide experiences and strategies to empower professionals with disabilities to maximize their potential, increase their engagement, and expand their contribution in the workplace. Participation includes instructor facilitated sessions, materials, breakfast and lunch each day, and a social networking event.

EDI is pleased to announce the availability of two scholarships to professionals with disabilities interested in attending this program! If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, please send an email that explains your interest in the program and what you hope to gain from it to Katie Steigerwalt at kms342@cornell.edu. Please submit your letter of interest by October 11th. If you are selected for the scholarship, we will waive the $2200 registration fee. Scholarship recipients will be announced via email on or before October 18th and will be able to formally register for the program at that time. Further information on the program can be found at: www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/pde.