Posts filed under Advocacy

Disability Organizations to Protest Princeton University's Ongoing Discrimination Against Students with Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2016 - Disability rights activists from New Jersey's centers for independent living, Liberty Resources in Philadelphia and ADAPT of Philadelphia, and other disability organizations representing people with disabilities, will be holding a demonstration at Princeton University on May 27, 2016. Time: 1 pm to 3 pm.

Demonstrators will assemble in front of the Robertson Building, located on 20 Washington Street on the campus. The Robertson Building houses the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs.

Activists want Princeton University to end the ongoing practice of institutionalized discrimination against students with disabilities, especially those with "invisible" disabilities. Organizers also want Princeton to publicly denounce Princeton Professor Peter Singer, who advocates ending the lives of disabled infants through denial of health care. Activists want Princeton to take steps to address what the activists describe as a culture of disability and oppression at the campus.

Read more …
Posted on May 24, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release, Advocacy.

ACI Advocates for People with Disabilities at Donald Trump's Edison HQ

ACI's CJ Dodge and Luke Koppisch recently visited presumptive Republican President Nominee Donald Trump's NJ Campaign Headquarters in Edison. The purpose of the visit was to present to the headquarters's staff a list of questions on disability-related topics, ranging from healthcare to employment to education, complied by RespectAbilityUSA, a national disability organization, based in Maryland. The questions were sent to all the presidential candidates, all of whom responded, except for Donald Trump. To see the questions and the candidates' answers, go to respectabilityusa.com.

ACI urges the the Trump campaign to respond to the questions posed by RespectAbility. Contact the Trump national headquarters at donaldjtrump.com and let them know how important it is for the 54 million Americans with disabilities to know his position on disabilities issues.

"Having a campaign office that is accessible and accommodating towards people with disabilities sends a message that we are valuable to you" - CJ Dodge

CJ and Luke also checked the office for accessibility. ACI urges all campaign offices to be fully accessible to visitors as well as volunteers. "Having a campaign office that is accessible and accommodating towards people with disabilities sends a message that we are valuable to you", says Dodge. "We are happy that the Trump campaign chose an accessible location for their NJ headquarters."

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Voting.

SHARES Task Force Conference

On Wednesday, April 13th, 2016, Middlesex L.E.A.D.S., a collaborative of the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment and the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), came together at The Law Center of New Jersey to present a message of pride at this year's SHARES (Sexuality, Health, Awareness, Rights, Education and Safety) Task Force Conference.

Panelists CJ Dodge from ACI; Ashley Gaunt from Planned Parenthood; along with moderators; Melissa Keyes DiGioia from Finding Your Individuality and Monica Avisado from ACI and Middlesex County Center for Empowerment all took the stage and shared their life experiences and opinions about how important disability and LGBTQ pride is to the community. 21 Task Force Conference attendees joined the panelist and enthusiastically participated. All present came to the conclusion that organizations that serve individuals with disabilities and the LGBTQ community have a lot in common with their advocacy efforts and should continue to work together to realize the common goal of equality, empowerment, and pride!

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Ribbon Cutting Marks the Installation of Audio Crosswalks in Fords

On April 13th, ACI staff, volunteers, board members and supporters were joined by Woodbridge Township Mayor, John McCormac, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald Rios, and Freeholders Charles Kenny and Charles and Tamaro to officially unveil the audio crosswalk signals along Amboy Ave. in Fords. A total of 12 audio signals were installed. Argenys Caba, ACI's office administrator, advocated for the signals, which will allow people with disabilities, seniors, students at the local school, and other pedestrians cross the streets safely and independently. Congratulations Argenys!

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Mark Installation of Audio Crosswalks in Fords, NJ

Middlesex County Freeholder Director, Ronald Rios, will be joined by Freeholder Charles Kenny, and Freeholder Charles Tomaro, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, State Transportation Officials, disability advocates, officials from the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and residents of Woodbridge, Fords, and Edison, for a ceremony marking the recent installation of 12 audio crosswalk signals at intersections along Amboy Ave. in the Fords section of Woodbridge Township. Staff and volunteers from the Alliance Center for Independence will also be present.

The ceremony will take place at 10 am at the corner of Amboy Ave. and Ford Ave. (across from the 7-11) in Fords (Woodbridge Township).

Read more …
Posted on April 5, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Press Release.

ACI Remembers Disabled Filicide Victims During Nationwide Day of Mourning

On March 1st 2016, people across the nation gathered to remember disabled victims of filicide (disabled people murdered by their family members or caregivers). We came together for ACI's second vigil to mourn our brothers and sisters and to bring awareness to these horrible tragedies. Thank you to everyone who joined us this evening and shared your thoughts and prayers.

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.