Jan Breece, a participant in ACI's It's All About Work program, recently had an information interview with the Edison Animal Shelter. Jan's career goal is to work with animals. The Interview was with Jay Elliot, Director of Health and Human services at Edison Township. This was Jan's first ever interview, and as a result she was offered a volunteer position at the shelter. Congratulations Jan and thank you Jay!
Home Hygiene & Safety Workshop
On June 3rd, Jay Elliott and Catherine Biondi of Edison Township Health Department, gave a hands on presentation on the importance of hygiene and home safety. 18 people attended the workshop, which covered washing, basic food handling and food safety, control of spreading illness, avoiding accidents in the home, and other important independent living skills.
Accessible Gardening Workshop
ACI hosted an informative Accessible Gardening workshop this past Wednesday, June 18th. Mr. Jeff Cupo of South Plainfield's "Victory Gardening for Hunger" showed us an accessible raised bed and other modified gardens for people with disabilities. Other topics included comparing soils and re-generating kitchen scraps such as fennel, lettuce, potatoes and peppers all in the hopes of preventing excess waste.
New Telegraph interview with Carole Tonks, ACI Director
Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI, recently sat down with Nigeria-based newspaper, New Telegraph to discuss the issues on rights, privileges and steps needed to change the way people with disabilities are treated around the world.
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As a director in an organization that advocates for people with disability in America, why is it that people with disabilities, especially physically challenged persons, are most times looked at differently?
It is unfortunate that many people see the disability first and not the person. As more and more people with physical disabilities are out and living independently in, and contributing to the community, people’s attitudes will change.
The Alliance Center for Independence is said to recognize disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. Can you explain to me the beauty in disability?
One of the beautiful things about the United States is its unique diversity of her people. We take pride in being a melting pot. Disability is a natural and beautiful part of that diversity. We recognize each other’s beauty in our uniqueness. We are more similar than we are different.
Many persons with disability get into the condition through accidents and it becomes difficult to adapt to the status of being a challenged person, how should family members, the public and the society at large help someone overcome the initial trauma of adjusting to such a life?
For this question I went to Nybil Ghanem. He works at ACI as an Information and Referral Specialist; he is also a young man with a disability.
I asked him to respond to this question: “It takes time to adjust to any disability, sometimes longer when it is acquired through an accident or unexpectedly. When this happens, it is most important to stay positive to the fact when faced with hardships in life that the person is going through. For their family and friends it is also a trying time. Being supportive, listening and remaining positive and giving the person time can be helpful. Remember, it takes time to heal both physically and emotionally.”
Grief Workshop
Margaret T. Gilbride, JD, CT from Advancing Opportunities, stopped by ACI to present a workshop on grief. Margaret discussed the various things that could cause someone to experience grief along with techniques on how to manage it.
Middlesex County Prevention Education Summit
ACI attended the 12th Annual Middlesex County Prevention Education Summit, which brought together professionals from various disciplines concerned about today's youth to learn about the newest drug trends.
For more information on emerging trends, visit drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/emerging-trends.
Disability Advocates Call for Action on Treaty Following Supreme Court Ruling in Bond Case
A message from disabilitytreaty.org
TIME TO TAKE ACTION FOR CRPD!
The Supreme Court's ruling in the Bond Case is out!
Now is the time to act! Every member of the U.S. Senate must hear from their constituents that it is time to pass the Disability Treaty.
See USICD's statement and then visit disabilitytreaty.org to contact your Senator TODAY.
Tell your Senator, "The Bond case has been decided, now is the time to ratify CRPD!"
Don't worry, you do not have to be an expert on the Bond case; what's important is that the CRPD get done now!
