Rutgers Hosts Green Thumb Gardening Workshop for ACI

On May 26th, the Rutgers Master Gardener Program introduced 13 ACI participants to a botanical experience that won’t soon be forgotten. Master gardeners, Jerri Barclay and Anne Ryder, shared their knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for gardening with all those in attendance. The presentation included learning about various types of plants and herbs. The presenters provided a variety of hands-on experiences like examining seeds, planting a personal herb garden, and seeing how to make a single spider plant into multiple plants. Thanks to Ms. Ryder and Ms. Barclay’s hard work, there are a few more green thumbs at ACI.

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Social Rec, Workshop.

Advocates Hold Demonstration Against Princeton University

Over 40 advocates, including representatives from the Alliance Center for Independence, Liberty Resources, Inc., in Philadelphia, ADAPT of Philadelphia, demonstrated in front of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs at Princeton University on May 27th. This action was to protest the University's discrimination against students with disabilities and for its refusal to take action against Professor Peter Singer, who advocates denying healthcare coverage for babies born with "severe disabilities". Demonstrators were also there to support Rachel Barr, who recently staged a hunger strike to protest the Princeton's refusal to make appropriate accommodations.

ACI helped organize the demonstration, along with Alan Holdsworth of Liberty Resources, Inc.

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Edison Students Learn About What People with Disabilities Went Through During The Holocaust

ACI would like the to thank Ilyse Shainbrown of the Holocaust Council of Greater MetroWest in Whippany for her presentation: "The Holocaust & People with Disabilities". 30 people, including students from Edison High School, attended the lecture, which included a presentation and recollections of relatives who were survivors or victims of the Holocaust.

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Workshop.

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.

ACI Featured on Emergency Preparedness Panel at Abilities Expo 2016

ACI was honored to be part of a panel discussion on preparing people with disabilities for emergency disasters held on April 29th at the New York Metro Abilities Expo in Edison. Joining Luke Koppisch on the panel were Kathryn Dyjak, MSW, Disability and other Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) Advisor, New York City Emergency Management; Jamie Arasz Prioli, and RESNA ATP, Assistive Technology Specialist, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University College of Education. The panel was facilitated by Kelly Rouba-Boyd, Access/Functional Needs Planner, NJ Office of Emergency Management.

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Emergency Preparedness, Workshop.