Forum on Disability Issues with Candidates for US Senate

On September 14th, ACI and REV UP NJ hosted a US Senate Candidates Forum on disability issues at Middlesex County College. Approximately 85 people attended the event, which included participation of 5 independent candidates and a representative of Senator Menendez's reelection campaign. (Republican Senate candidate Bob Hugin did not participate in the event nor did his campaign send a surrogate). The candidates gave opening remarks and took questions from the audience on a variety of issues important to NJ's disability community. Thank you to all the candidates and Dawn Clarke from the League of Women Voters of NJ, who moderated the forum. Funding for the forum was provided by Disability Rights New Jersey through their Protection and Advocacy Voter Access (PAVA) program.

Visit the REV UP NJ Facebook page for details on other public forums hosted at various CILs throughout New Jersey.

Welcome Marisa!

Please welcome Marisa Pierson, Office Manager, to the ACI family! We are happy to have her!

Marisa Pierson retired from Rutgers in 2016 after 27 years of service, twelve of those as the senior program coordinator of the Clement A. Price Institute at Rutgers’ Newark campus. While at Newark, Marisa established the semi-annual Dance Symposium series in 2005 which features educational workshops and full evening performances with professional dance companies. Marisa joined the Price Institute in Newark in 2004 following 16 years managing a variety of radio and television projects at Rutgers-New Brunswick campus.

As an instructor and performer of Middle Eastern Dance, Marisa has taught for local school districts and at Rutgers-New Brunswick and the College of New Jersey, and integrated bellydance classes for ACI. She also sponsors local dance seminars in New Jersey. She is artistic director of the Mystic Moonlight Dancers of Ocean County NJ which performs for community festivals and facilities (including NJDPP 2018!).

Somerset Patriots Baseball Game 2018

On the evening of August 29th, ACI and friends went to the TD Bank Ballpark to root on the Somerset patriots to victory over The Road Warriors. Although it was a hot evening, everybody had a good time! There is nothing better than having some ballpark snacks while watching a good game with friends. Even Sparkee and General Admission, the Patriots' mascots, stopped bye to say hello to the ACI group.

ACI and REV UP NJ Host Public Forum with US Congress District 6 Candidates

On August 27th, ACI and REV UP NJ hosted a public forum on disability issues with Congressional District 6 candidates. Incumbent Democrat Congressman, Frank Pallone, and his Republican challenger, Rich Pezzullo, discussed and responded to questions on topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the role of the Federal Government in assisting people with disabilities. The 6th Congressional District includes towns in Middlesex and Monmouth counties. "The event offered the perfect opportunity for our constituents to meet and hear the views of the candidates for US Congress," said Carole Tonks, ACI Executive Director.

This forum was made possible by a grant from Disability Rights New Jersey, through their Protection and Advocacy Voting Access (PAVA) fund. ACI and REV UP NJ will be hosting a US Senate Candidates Forum on September 14th at Middlesex County College. Visit our website for more details: adacil.org/upcoming-events/us-senate-candidate-forum

What's the Scoop Ice Cream Social

On the evening of August 24th, ACI and friends went to What’s the Scoop ice cream parlor in Metuchen, NJ. The ice cream and pizza were topnotch! Numerous homemade flavors to choose from left everyone happy with their choice. It was good to see some old friends that came back to join us and a few new faces that we hope will continue to come and have fun with us. Thank you so much to the staff of What’s the Scoop for making the night great!