Last month, ACI's Social Recreation Group enjoyed a wonderful theatrical viewing at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. Over a dozen ACI consumers joined us as they watched Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, which was about the never give up attitude of a devoted single mom in present-day New York City, as she fought to survive insomnia all while falling in love with 19th century time traveler Ernest Shackleton, as he and his crew fight to stay alive on a mission to cold Antarctica!
Thank You Rutgers University Interns!
ACI would like to take a moment to thank our interns from Rutgers University who put together several workshops for people with disabilities.
Interns Jinal Patel and Kassandra Soldevilla conducted a series of Zumba and Tai Chi classes during April and May. The classes were provided free of charge to our members as part of ACI's health and wellness program.
We would also like to thank intern Domanique Davison, who presented a workshop on positive thinking and stress management. Participants at her class learned about methods on reducing stress at work and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
Workshop on People with Disabilities during the Holocaust
This past spring, ACI hosted a presentation and round table discussion about what people with disabilities went through during the Holocaust. Paul B. Winkler, Executive Director, NJ Commission on Holocaust Education, spoke about how we must work together to end hatred and discrimination.
An Open Letter to Members of the Princeton University Board of Trustees
This letter is an urgent request for your assistance. We are writing to you as members of the disability community in New Jersey and nearby states, including people with disabilities, parents and family members, professionals and service providers.
Recently, Professor Peter Singer of Princeton University was interviewed on the “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio” Show. The National Council on Disability, which is appointed by and advises the President of the United States on matters of disability policy, issued a press release (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/04232015) expressing profound outrage about Singer’s statements...
NJTIP Teaches Students with Disabilities How to Travel Independently
10 people, including students from Edison High School, learned about traveling independently using NJ Transit buses and trains at a workshop conducted by the NJ Travel Independence Program (NJTIP). Thank you to Louis Hoffman of NJTIP for his informative presentation.
For more information on NJTIP, please click visit the Rutgers University website.
HUD and NJ Division on Civil Rights Educate People with Disabilities on Housing Rights
ACI hosted a very informative seminar on the federal Fair Housing Act and how it applies to people with disabilities. Presentations were given by Dinorah Velez and Wanda Nieves, both from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Edward Haas, NJ Division on Civil Rights. We look forward to working with them on housing issues.
ACI is making a video about the ADA and needs your help!
You are invited to help the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) recognize the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act!
Prior to the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, people with disabilities experienced discrimination in areas such as employment, access to public places, voting, housing, transportation, education, recreation, health care services and obtaining services.
25 years later, we have seen much progress, many people worked hard for the passage of the ADA and ACI will celebrate along with everyone the victories in helping to assure the equality of all persons with disabilities.
However, in 2015, people with disabilities still face discrimination, and many of us are unemployed and live in poverty. Thousands still live in institutions, and many more are denied access to public places, transportation, voting and health care. We have a long way to go.
25 years later and the question still remains after all the celebrations cease…what do we need to do to make the ADA something that no longer needs to be discussed?
ACI is producing a video, ADA@25 and Beyond, that reflects on this landmark civil rights law. After all the celebrations are over, we need to remember that, despite the ADA, our work continues in 2015 and beyond. We would like to hear your thoughts on the ADA, for example:
- Is the ADA working?
- What still needs to be done?
- How do we achieve better compliance?
- Where do we go from here?
We hope that you will join us at the ACI office on Tuesday, June 9th from 12:00 to 1:00 PM to be filmed for the video. Please keep your comments to about 2 minutes.
If you are interested in being involved or have any questions, please contact Carole Tonks at ctonks@adacil.org. Inquire soon as there are limited spots available.
