Earlier this week, 5 individuals completed a 2-day Basic Computer Skills workshop taught by software engineer and computer instructor, AnnMarie Pigna-Torres, at ACI. The classes covered Microsoft Word and Excel, email, cloud storage, and using the internet. Each participant received a certificate upon completion. Thank you AnnMarie!
This class was offered as part of ACI's office skills program.
On January 25th, ACI came together to celebrate the New Year! Participants enjoyed hot chocolate and took part in a New Year’s renewal arts and crafts activity. They created and decorated paper snowflakes to express the parts of their lives that they wanted to continue to foster in the coming year, as well as releasing beliefs about themselves that they no longer wanted. The ACI family spent the night enjoying each others company talking about their dreams for 2017. Have a wonderful year!
ACI was at the “No Hate” Town Hall Meeting at Kean University on January 12th. The American Conference on Diversity (ACOD), in collaboration with Kean University, hosted this meeting with the intention of engaging in an open dialog about diversity, inclusion, and ending hate. The panel included representatives from the legal community as well as Kean and Rutgers Universities. The mission of empowering individuals and institutions to address issues of bias and discrimination is important to support. Thank you to all those who stopped by our table for information.
Photo credit for last four photos: Patti Banks/Patrician Photo for Kean University
At 1:30 on Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate took its first step towards repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The approved budget resolution instructs committees of the House and Senate to draft repeal legislation by January 27th. Both chambers will then need to approve the resulting legislation before any repeal goes into effect.
The effort to repeal ACA will have a devastating effect of the 30 million people, many of whom have disabilities, who receive healthcare coverage through ACA. Blocking granting Medicaid is also being considered.
About 30 people, including students from North Brunswick Township High School, participated in Everyday Technologies, a workshop devoted to using tablets and smartphones to make life easier. Thank you to Fred Tchang, Director of Assistive Technology at Advancing Opportunities for the informative workshop.
Please join us in welcoming Kate Blisard to our ACI team! Kate, who started on December 1st, is our part time housing assistant. She comes to ACI with a variety of experiences in the disability field, including a rich background in advocacy. This includes: supporting those who wish to leave institutions and live in the community. Kate's recent positions were Disability Policy Consultant with the People and Disability Network, Coordinator for Seeking Way Out Together (SWOT), Community Development Specialist, The North Princeton Project, Rutgers University School of Social Work.
ACI is now providing the following services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. These services are provided through DDD referral only. If you are interested, please contact your Support Coordinator.
