Whoever is elected tomorrow will impact our lives for the next four years. People with disabilities account for more than 35 million voters this year, approximately one sixth of the total electorate. Let's go out and Rock the Vote!
Congratulations to all the first time voters out there. ACI would like to hear your experiences whether good or bad. Please contact us or email ctonks@adacil.org or lkoppisch@adacil.org.
Attention Local Businesses: Participate in the ACI Holiday Fundraiser!
ACI is kicking off a 2016 holiday fundraiser! Our goal is to raise $5,000 that will go directly towards our social recreation and health and wellness programs.
We are asking local businesses to donate a gift card/certificate to be raffled off. This is a wonderful opportunity to advertise your business while supporting people with disabilities in Middlesex county. Your business will be advertised on our website and social media sites.
We look forward to having you participate in our fundraiser! For more information, please contact Argenys Caba at acaba@adacil.org or 732-738-4388.
A Spooktacular Time at Nightmare on Amboy Avenue!
On Friday, October 21st, friends of ACI had a frightful good time at our Nightmare on Amboy Avenue Halloween event! The ACI conference room was transformed into a haunted forest with decorations put up by volunteers and staff. Special thanks to Patty for making some amazing backdrops! Everyone sat around a faux campfire and was sucked into stories about things that go bump in the night. Laughs and screams filled the room. The mood was lightened with a competitive game to see who could assemble a cut up picture of a black cat blindfolded. The night ended with a competition to see which team could make the best toilet paper mummy. Happy Halloween to all friends and family of ACI!
The 6th Annual New Jersey Disability Pride Parade & Celebration Set for October 7th in Trenton, NJ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carole Tonks, Executive Director, Alliance
Center for Independence Phone: (732) 738-4388 / E-mail: ctonks@adacil.org
Website: www.adacil.org
More than 700 people with disabilities, supporters, friends and organizations representing a wide variety of services throughout NJ will converge in downtown Trenton for the 6th NJ Disability Pride Parade and Celebration. The event will feature a variety of entertainers, all of whom have disabilities. These include folk musician Johnny Crescendo, singer/songwriter Cory Singer, integrated dancer Lindsay Tuman, Hip Hop artist Professir X and recording artist Lachi. NJDPP newcomers, include hip-hop performer King Tay, and comedian Mike Cotaya will also share their talents.
Lights, Camera, Scene It?
On Thursday, September 22nd, ACI hosted a movie trivia night using the poplar interactive DVD game Scene It? at the Mountainside Public Library. Participants cheered each other on and worked together to come up with the answers to the more difficult questions. By the end of the evening, participants were having a discussion about their favorite movies and actors. Another highlight of the night was two new participants joined the ACI family. Special thanks to the Mountainside Public Library director, Lynn Favreau and her staff for helping to make this event great!
Summer Series of Coloring for Adults Classes
The Coloring for Adults workshop completed its summer sessions on September 21st. The 4 week class offered an atmosphere where participants relaxed to music as they colored their picture of choice and shared individual techniques. The final session included a contest where judges choose the best artistic presentation. Congrats to Mariana Perez, who got 1st place and won tickets to box seats at a Somerset Patriots game! ACI plans on offering this workshop again this winter.
Disability Voter Registration Day
As part of our Disability Voter Registration Day, ACI and REV UP NJ recently conducted a workshop on voter rights to participants at the Mount Bethel Village Day Program in Warren, Somerset County. 50 individuals learned about the process of voting, their rights as voters with disabilities and the 2016 presidential election. REV UP NJ voting t-shirts and buttons were given out as a reminder of the importance of the disability vote!
Voting education and registration activities of REV UP NJ and ACI are strictly non-partisan and are made possible through a grant from the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities.
