On the evening of April 19th, ACI took a trip to Dave & Buster’s in the Woodbridge Center Mall. This venue was a lively place to spend a fun evening with friends! Participants enjoyed a good meal and then were able to take part in the games the arcade had to offer. All that attended enjoyed the experience. If you have any requests or ideas for future events please email cdodge@adacil.org.
Thank you to Joy Cline-Okoye for a wonderful JourneyDance class. We had a great time and are looking forward to next class!
The JourneyDance Transformational Dance Movement Flow leads participants on a ritual journey of physical and emotional transformation. Through breath, sweat, and expression, you gain a palpable experience of yourself as pure powerful energy.
On the evening of March 29th, attendees of the ACI Smartphone Photography 101 class had a fun night of learning how to take great photos with nothing but a smartphone! ACI Board Chair and amateur photographer, Colleen Roche, walked participants though tips on how to take better photographs and how they're a great way to express yourself without using words. One of the biggest parts of the lesson was the importance of taking the time to look around for things that strike you and “see what you can see” instead of needing to find something beautiful. We learned how to line up shots within the frame of a camera, using light in interesting ways, and how to use camera apps such as Instagram to do some basic editing. Thank you to Colleen for an interesting session!
The ACI family gathered on March 27th to learn about the universe around us, at our Look to the Stars workshop. Members of Amateur Astronomers, Inc.: Ms. Mary Ducca, Mr. Michael Gironda, and Mr. Jim Nordhausen, gave a fantastic presentation about the stars, moon, constellations, and planets. Attendees learned how to find things in the night sky using a Planisphere, as well as learning how to use binoculars and telescopes to study the sky. For more about Amateur Astronomers, please visit asterism.org.
ACI is considering organizing an Astronomy Club. If you are interested, please contact CJ Dodge at 732-738-4388 or cdodge@adacil.org.
Please join us in welcoming Jeffrey Anthony and Rachel Gabrilowitz to the ACI team!
Jeff was recently hired to be the Project Director of Middlesex LEADS. LEADS is a collaborative between ACI and the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment. LEADS hopes to increase each agencies capacity to serve sexual violence survivors and prevent victimization against persons with disabilities. The project is supported by a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice.
Rachel will be working as an Independent Living Specialist/Pre-vocational Instructor. She is a recent graduate of Brandeis University and comes to ACI with lots of enthusiasm and a passion to help people with disabilities reach their independent living goals!
Written By Eric Minghella, Volunteer Blog Writer for ACI
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits
If a medical condition has made it impossible for you to work and earn a living, you might be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two separate disability programs. These programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is a program for disabled workers, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which is for disabled workers but is not based on work history but on financial need. In most cases, those who have physical disabilities are more likely to be awarded SSDI while those with intellectual disabilities are more likely to receive SSI benefits.
ACI would like to thank Billy Busch, Executive Director of Membership Services at Community Access Unlimited, for his informative workshop entitled Assistive Technology and Independent Living. Staff, volunteers and others learned about the technology, from the latest gadgets, computer apps, home modifications and assistive technology that enable people with disabilities to become more independent in their own homes. Thank you Billy!
