ACI Remembers 9-11. ACI paid tribute to those who were lost during the events of Sept. 11, 2001, including Colleen Fraser, disability advocate and a passenger of Flight 93. Participants recalled the day 15 years ago and the effect it had on the nation. The work of Colleen Fraser was also remembered.
Save on RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns Tickets While Donating to ACI!
Tickets for RISE of the Jack O' Lanterns are on sale NOW! If you order through the link below, you can save up to 50% off PLUS 10% of every ticket sale is donated to ACI! Perfect for the fast-approaching Halloween season!
New Job Opportunities at ACI: Transportation Assessment Interviewer and Housing Program Assistant (UPDATE)
The Alliance Center for Independence currently has immediate openings for a Transportation Assessment Interviewer and Housing Program Assistant. Please read the details below and let us know if you're interested in joining the ACI team!
REV UP NJ Kicks Off Series of Disability Voting Workshops
Over 30 people participated in a workshop on the upcoming election and voting rights at the ARC of Middlesex's Raritan Career Center. This is the first of a series of voting rights education workshops ACI will be conducting during the fall through a grant from the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities. ACI formed a NJ chapter of REV UP, which is a national effort to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the election process.
SURVEY: Air Travelers! We Want to Hear From You!
The Alliance Center for Independence is currently working with the New York area Service Employee International Union (SEIU) to bring awareness of the concerns of individuals who are employed as wheelchair pushers in airports. Wheelchair pushers and others who assist passengers with disabilities and seniors are faced with low wages, inadequate training, wage and hour violations conducted by the airports or private contractors.
As a traveler, we would like to hear from you regarding your experiences at the airport and using the services of a wheelchair pusher or other airport personnel that assist people with disabilities and seniors. Please complete the survey regarding your experience. Information from the survey will help us advocate for increased wages and other improved working conditions of these vital employees.
The survey can be found at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airportwheelchairserviceusers
Thank you.
ACI Hosts Poetry Night at Summit Library
On Wednesday, August 24th, ACI hosted an evening of sharing poetry at the Summit Library. The evening started with a fervent discussion on what poetry is and why it is important to the people who attended. The group bonded over a discussion about how poetry allows them to express feelings and emotions that they are not able to share easily. Some of the participants shared works that they use as a form of self-advocacy. Additionally, the attendees listened to recordings of famous poets reading their works. The evening concluded with members of the group reading some of their favorite works from iconic poets.
Get Educated and Registered for the 2016 Election!
The following NJ Centers for Independent Living/REV UP NJ will be holding Voter Education/Registration events.
• Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) - September 14th - Voter Registration Day, 629 Amboy Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837. 732.738.4388 or ctonks@adacil.org. Register to vote and get a free REV UP NJ t-shirt: adacil.org
• Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) - September 2nd - Voting Rights/Registration- The Arc of Middlesex County, Raritan Center, Edison NJ, 732.738.4388, ctonks@adacil.org, adacil.org
• Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) - September 6th - Voting Rights/Registration- Edison Workshop, Edison, NJ, 732.738.4388, ctonks@adacil.org, adacil.org
• Resources for Independent Living (RIL) - Voter Education/Registration, October 11th - 1:30 to 3:30 PM, 351 High Street, Suite 103, Burlington, NJ, 609.747.7745
• Center for Independent Living-SJ - Voter Registration- August 26th, 10am to 3:30 pm. - 1150 Delsea Drive, Suite 1, Westville, NJ 08093, 856.853.6490. Free water ice if you register to vote!
• Heightened Independence & Progress - (Heightened Independence Project) September 10th, Voter Registration, 35 Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ (outside of the HIP building) 201.533.4407
• MOCEANS Center for Independent Living - 279 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740- Voter Registration/Education Workshop coming in September - 732.571.4884
• Progressive Center for Independent Living - Voter Registration/Education Workshop coming in September - 3525 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619, 609.581.4500
• Heightened Independence & Progress/Bergen - Voter Registration Workshop - Date to be announced. 131 Main Street, Suite 120, Hackensack, NJ 07601, 201.996.9100
• Camden City Independent Living Center - Voter Registration events in September and October. Virtua Campus, 1000 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104. For information, please call 856.966.0800 or email vedasmithccilc@aol.com
• DIAL, Inc. - Voter Education/Registration Workshop coming in September. 2 Prospect Village Plaza, First Floor, Clifton, NJ 07013, 973.470.8090
