Steve Gold, Esq. of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP) spoke at our recent ACI Housing Resources meeting. Steve is a nationally recognized expert on accessible housing for people with disabilities. ACI has been working with Steve on accessibility issues for the past year.
ACI's Middlesex Advocacy Group conducts Advocacy Tour
Members of ACI's Middlesex Advocacy Group recently conducted an accessibility tour of the Shop Rite Shopping Plaza on Route 1 in Edison. The goal of the tour was to ensure that the stores in the plaza were accessible and to advocate to make the necessary changes. Armed with tape measures, door pressure scales, and the ADA Checklist for for Existing Facilities, the group looked at the parking lot, aisle space, counter tops and curb cuts. Nybil Ghanem, Christine Hines, Lois Lebbing and Luke Koppisch participated in the event.
Interested in joining our efforts? Contact Nybil, Advocacy Group facilitator, at 732-738-4388 ext. 121 or nghanem@adacil.org.
"The tour was a good opportunity to educate business owners about the Americans with Disabilities Act, but also a great way to ensure that they comply with it." - Lois Lebbing, Advocacy Group Participant
Edison Family Day and Business Expo
ACI had a table at Edison Family Day and Business Expo on Saturday, June 14th. The Expo was hosted by the Edison Chamber of Commerce. Thank you Barbara Roos, President/CEO for inviting us!
NJ "Getting it Right" Conference
ACI was honored to have participated in the NJ "Getting it Right" Conference - Shelter and Transportation Accessibility for People with Disabilities, held June 27th and 28th in Weehawken, NJ.
Hosted by Portlight Strategies, Inc. and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the conference brought together advocates, emergency preparedness professionals and non-profit organizations involved in disaster relief and recovery work. As part of the event, ACI facilitated a table top exercise on shelter services for people with disabilities.
Kean Design Team Presents ACI Office Redesign
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!
It's All About Work Spotlight: Jan Breece
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.
