NJ "Getting it Right" Conference

A message from Portlight Strategies and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Portlight Strategies, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Charleston, SC, which serves the disaster relief needs of people with disabilities. Founded by people with disabilities in 1997, the scope of work that Portlight Strategies (Portlight) has undertaken has continually grown and evolved. In the past year alone, Portlight has been able to provide services in Mississippi for Hurricane Isaac, Oklahoma for the massive back-to-back tornadoes, and, of course, in New York and New Jersey for Superstorm Sandy.

Last year Portlight Strategies, Inc. organized and hosted the first “Getting It Right” conference in Atlanta, GA to address the needs of people with disabilities during natural disaster situations. The conference was a tremendous success and had over 130 people in attendance. Portlight followed up with a one day workshop in Charleston, SC. Portlight has been heavily involved in the New York , New Jersey area since Superstorm Sandy and the natural next location for the “Getting It Right” conference is New Jersey.

Adaptive Yoga at the ARC of Union

On February 27th, 20 members (and staff) of the NJ Self Advocacy Project participated in an adaptive yoga class, taught by Carole and Luke, LVCY Certified Yoga Instructors. Everyone had a great time while relieving stress. Thank you to ARC of Union and to Ashley Ritchey of the NJ Self Advocacy Projecting for hosting.

"Luke and I had so much fun teaching yoga tonight...You were such a fun group!" - Carole Tonks, ACI Director

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health.

Advocacy Group - Middlesex County

ACI recently held a meeting with our Middlesex County Advocacy Group. It was a very active discussion, as we like to encourage not just words, but action.

Topics that were discussed were updates on new regulations on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the International Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD); recent ACI advocacy efforts that included new Wells Fargo installations of accessible bank check table and ramp and a Subway restaurant installing a Big Bell Notification System with a temporary ramp; various future political meetings, as well as individual assignments of consumer advocacy input for the next April's meeting.

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella.

Edison Students Complete Tier 1 of It's All About Work

Congratulations to students at Edison High School who completed Tier 1: Planning for Adult Life, which is part of our It's All About Work program. Students have been working with ACI since November and today we recognized the efforts and hard work with certificates.

Thank you to NJDVRS representatives, Peter Ruffini and Jamie Chrzan, who spoke about their services and how they assist people with disabilities after graduation.

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella.

Cupid's Corner

Once again, ACI's Social Recreation Program had another successful event!

This past Friday Night, we had a 'lovely' event titled Cupid's Corner. 15 people joined us for designing Valentine's Day cards, prizes, heart-themed art and decorations, along with plenty of chocolate fondue and music throughout the night...

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Social Rec.

ACI REPRESENTED ON INTERFACE ADVISORY BOARD

ACI is pleased to announce that our Deputy Director, Luke Koppisch, will be representing ACI on the Interface Advisory Board at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison.

The board is made up of representatives from non-profit organizations, state agencies and local businesses who are interested in seeking ways to increase employment among people with disabilities. Presently, the board is planning for the 31st Annual Career Options Day to be held on April 4th, 2014 at the JFK Conference and Fitness Center.

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD BANK MAKES ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

Thanks to the help of ACI, the Wells Fargo Bank in South Plainfield, NJ recently installed ramps and lowered its check writing table to accommodate wheelchair users. Nybil Ghanem of ACI worked with the bank to make this change.

"This improvement will allow more people with disabilities to use the services of the Wells Fargo Bank." - Nybil Ghanem, Information and Referral Specialist

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.