Alliance Center for Independence
As part of our Independent Living Skills program, ACI offered a very informative workshop on banking, including opening an account, how to save, avoiding debt, and wise use of credit cards. The workshop, conducted by Yolanda Sweeny, Vice President-Community Consultant at PNC Bank, took place on August 20th.
On August 22nd and 23rd, over 100 volunteers and individuals with disabilities took part in the ACI sponsored Emergency Preparedness Overnight Exercise. This event, the first ever in NJ and 2nd in the country, took place in Piscataway at the Livingston Recreation Center of Rutgers University.
ACI partnered with FEMA, Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the American Red Cross and Rutgers University to simulate an emergency shelter experience. This event assisted in an ongoing effort to improve the ability to provide service and support to individuals with disabilities during disasters. ACI would like to thank all of the stakeholders, volunteers and participants who took part in this important event.
Be sure to read the Edison Sentinel article on the event!
If you are interested in disaster training in your area, please contact Carole Tonks at 732-738-4388 ext. 118 or ctonks@adacil.org.
This past August, Dymelza Calderon, and Abhishek Seth from KK Dental of Edison held a workshop at ACI on dental care. The class emphasized the importance of dental care as part of overall general health. KK Dental will soon be offering their services at a substantial discount to ACI members. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
Luke and Carole with NJ Assemblywoman, Nancy Pinkin (middle)
On August 19th, Carole and Luke met with state assemblywoman, Nancy Pinkin of the 18th Legislative District, which includes Edison. Among other topics, the assemblywoman was asked to sponsor a bill to revised NJ's accessible parking to eliminate the word "handicapped" and to replace the old wheelchair symbol of accessibility with a modern symbol of active wheelchair user. All new accessible parking signs will be subjected to this change. A bill, which is based on NY's new accessible parking law, is currently being drafted by the Office of Legislative Services.
ACI's IL Specialist and Social Rec Coordinator, Nybil Ghanem, recently attended the ADAPT Community Organizer Training in Austin, Texas. Here's what he had to say about his visit...
"I learned a lot through the ADAPT training of Texas this past August, as about 25 others from all across the country, joined us for a weekend of non-stop training on how to advocate as an activist with a disability. Topics discussed were: Negotiation Tactics, Protests, Issues VS. Concerns, Organizer Thinking & People Power. The climax was when we completely shutdown a taco store in protest for not being accessible for people with disabilities as part of our training. What a wonderful training on community organizing."
For more information on ADAPT, please visit adapt.org.
This past August, ACI's Social Rec group enjoyed a wonderful Plays in the Park production of Bye Bye Birdie, the classic musical about love and life in a small town in Ohio during the Elvis-era.
For more information on ACI's Social Rec Program, contact Nybil Ghanem at 732-738-4388 ext. 121 or nghanem@adacil.org.
On Friday, August 22nd, the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), FEMA and the American Red Cross will bring together 50 adults with all types of disabilities to spend the night at the Livingston Campus at Rutgers University in a mock overnight emergency shelter experience.
