Resources and Advice for Autistic Individuals and Other Disabled Job Seekers

Written by Jenny Wise from Special Home Educator

Disabled individuals have a wealth of knowledge, experience, ideas and skills to impart to employers, though sometimes it can be difficult for those with disabilities to connect with the right employer or take advantage of optimal opportunities when they arise. Fortunately, there are agencies, both government and community-based, that can help position autistic and other disabled workers for fulfilling jobs that offer opportunities for success and career advancement.

For any job hunter, opening avenues to success is often a matter of talking to the right person at the right time. The more professional connections you can make in that regard, the better your chances of securing the right opportunity.

Read more …
Posted on July 19, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Volunteer Blog, Employment.

Somerset Patriots Baseball Game 2019

On the evening of July 16th, ACI went to the ballpark to watch the Somerset Patriots come from behind in the 6th inning to beat the York Revolution 12 to 7! Watching the Patriots win wasn’t the only thing that made the night fun…during the 3rd inning, ballpark staff handed out homemade togas and the crowd participated in an attempt to make the largest toga party. It was fun to watch Sparkee and Slider lead the crowd in an Animal House “toga!” chant. Thank you to the Patriots staff and the Group Sales department for a wonderful evening!

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Social Rec.

National Disability Voter Registration Week 2019

ACI and REV UP NJ hosted its 4th annual National Disability Voter Registration Week event at the NJ State House Annex in Trenton. Everyone braved the hot weather to hear advocates, civil rights activists, and representatives from disability organizations talk about the importance of voting and how the disability vote has grown in influence. Featured speakers included Dr. Doug Kruse, of the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, who talked about the growing influence of the disability vote, and Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling of Monmonth County, who encouraged every to get involved to make a difference.

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Voting.

NJ Disability Pride Parade is now...NJ Disability Pride in the Park!

COME AS YOU ARE: New Jersey Disability Pride in the Park (formerly NJ Disability Pride Parade) has a new look and a new venue! Come and celebrate with us at this first-time festival that will take place at the Alvin P. Williams Park in Sewaren Peninsula, Woodbridge Township (Middlesex County), New Jersey on Friday, May 29th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The 2020 NJDPP, a grassroots effort hosted by the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), will also commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in a beautiful new and expanded venue, a 36-acre accessible park in the heart of Middlesex County that features an amphitheater, picnic areas, paved paths, gardens and playgrounds along the waterfront of the Arthur Kill, with plenty of parking for festival attendees!

ACI has proudly hosted and organized the New Jersey Disability Pride Parade and Celebration since 2011. NJDPP is the one event in New Jersey where the disability community comes together for a day to celebrate pride in each other and to appreciate our differences and similarities!

For more information, or if you would like to participate as a sponsor or entertainer, please visit adacil.org/njdpp

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under NJDPP.

ACI and Other Organizations Visit Congressman Pallone's Office to Support the Disability Integration Act (UPDATE)

On April 26th, ACI, NJ ADAPT, Atlantic County Center for Independent Living, SILC, NJ YELL and other disability organizations visited Congressman Pallone office in New Brunswick to hold him to his promise of co-sponsoring the Disability Integration Act. A meeting with the Congressman and our group is set for May 6th.

(UPDATE: 5/6/19): Advocates from several disability organizations in NJ met with Congressman Pallone at his district office in Long Branch on May 6th. The topic was the Disability Integration Act. Stay tuned...

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Voting.

ACI Brings Awareness to Sexual Assault During SAAM 2019

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. People with disabilities are sexually assaulted at nearly three times the rate of people without disabilities. ACI is committed to bringing awareness to this growing situation. Denim Day and the Clothesline Project are international movements to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual assault.

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.