ACI Attends a George Street Playhouse Production of Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical

On February 22nd, ACI and friends attended the George Street Playhouse production of Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical. The evening was a fun night out filled with the songs written and sung by Ms. Simone, “The High Priestess of Soul”. The play is an engaging mix of song and commentary about her life. Laiona Michelle, the writer and actress portraying Nina Simone embodies Ms. Simone’s passion, fierceness, and commanding stage presence. Ms. Michelle and company were amazing to watch for both Nina Simone fans and audience members who didn’t know any of her music. Thank you to the staff of George Street Playhouse for a wonderful night, especially to Lolly and Megan who made sure our visit went smoothly.

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Social Rec.

Ask Governor Murphy to Fund Independent Living!

New Jersey’s Centers for Independent Living are a vital part of the disability community, yet are consistently underfunded. For this reason, the New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living is asking for state funding in the amount of 4 million dollars to be divided amongst the 11 Centers across New Jersey. Please sign our letter endorsing our efforts and showing the Governor the importance of disability-led organizations!

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Support the Disability Integration Act!

The Disability Integration Act (DIA) was recently reintroduced in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. DIA is a bipartisan, bicameral legislation that ensures that disabled Americans have the right to live and receive services in their own homes. ACI joined other advocacy organizations throughout the country in celebrating the reintroduction of this important legislation. ACI has been contacting our representatives to urge them co-sponsor this legislation. Advocates hope to have it passed the house by July 26, 2019, the anniversary of the ADA. We are happy to announce that US Senator Cory Booker and NJ Representatives Donald Payne and Bonnie Watson-Coleman have signed on as co-sponsors!

If you're interested in learning more about DIA and how you can advocate for its passage, please contact Luke at lkoppisch@adacil.org or Maggie at mleppert@adacil.org or visit disabilityintegrationact.org.

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Voting.

We Want Your Suggestions for NJDPP!

We are quickly approaching the new year and the early planning stages of the next NJDPP! 2019 will mark the 9th year that ACI has proudly organized the event and this year we want to hear from YOU. Do you have any feedback, suggestions, ideas, or comments for us? We encourage you to fill out the form below and let us know!

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under NJDPP.

Disability Activism and Intersectionality

Written by Ethan B. Ellis.

Intersectionality is a fancy word for groups that are discriminated against for more than one reason, like African-American women or Muslim immigrants with disabilities. Not only are their experiences qualitatively different than the experiences of members of the dominant culture who are excluded on the basis of one ‘unacceptable’ characteristic, they are often ignored or excluded in that group’s quest for social justice.

In this essay, I argue that the great majority of people with disabilities are the victims of intersectionality, that is, two or more social injustices and will not be fully included and equal until all of those injustices are eliminated from this society.

This leads logically to the conclusion that we must be a part of every battle for social equality and justice.

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Volunteer Blog.

Welcome Destiny!

We would like to formally welcome Destiny Campbell, ACI's Employment Instructor/Independent Living Specialist. Destiny began working at ACI in August.

"I really enjoy working for at ACI. This position has challenged me and has allowed me to use a different skill set. I'm happy to be part of the ACI team!" says Destiny.

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella.

Do Our Votes Really Count? Re-Thinking the Political Participation of the Disability Movement

Written by Ethan B. Ellis.

I just completed an online survey asking my priorities for the newly elected majority in the House of Representatives. It was pretty long.

I could have checked off women’s rights and I did.

I could have checked off LGBQ rights and I did.

I could have checked off voting rights and I did.

I could have been for health care for all, campaign finance reform, a living wage, gun control, rebuilding our infrastructure, reducing income inequality, ending war and a whole lot more and I was - and am.

But there was no place check off disability rights on that agenda.

I also got hundreds of fundraising emails before the election. They all wanted my money and many used surveys to get it. I could be for everything good and against everything bad, but I COULDN’T BE FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS, MY OWN RIGHTS!

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Voting, Advocacy, Volunteer Blog.