The Alliance Center for Independence Condemns the Recent Acts of Racist Violence Against Black Americans

The Alliance Center for Independence condemns the recent acts of racist violence against Black Americans. We grieve for our country and its citizens, and we watch the people of our cities and our nation unite to express this profound and collective sadness and anger. With each unnecessary and violent death, we struggle, each in our own way, to find answers and solutions for a peaceful change.

We hear you and we support you. We will have the tough conversations. ACI stands in solidarity with the African American community and is committed to work together for an end to racism and discrimination in all its forms, and recognize it’s a time for justice and equality for all. We must not continue to define ourselves this way and hold every American to higher standards.

ACI is guided by values of equality and social justice, and we have power collectively and individually, to work towards achieving change. These values we learn and express are relevant, important, and urgent, and we must continue to live out these values in our interactions, in each and every instance, where we have the power to create a difference, we must act. Let those actions be guided by hope, determination, dignity and tireless persistence, to ensure respect and equality for all Americans, regardless of race, disability, sexual orientation, gender or religion.

COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act

While some steps have been taken to help protect older adults and people with disabilities from the coronavirus, the prolonged nature of the pandemic requires additional action and investment. In response, legislators announced the COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act.

This act would:

• Require the Social Security Administration to halt unnecessary activities like continuing disability reviews and collection of overpayments for seniors and people with disabilities.

• Remove administrative barriers to accessing disability benefits and health care, and expand eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• Open a Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to easily and quickly enroll more people during the public health emergency.

• Increase funding for the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to educate seniors about coronavirus-related scams.

• Provide flexibility for the senior food box program to limit the number of times a senior must leave their home in order to access proper nutrition.

ACI is one of 55 national and state organizations representing older adults, people with disabilities and home health care workers who have signed on to support the bill. You can read more about the bill at the link below.

Wheelchair Policies at Hospitals During Pandemic

ACI continues to advocate for people with disabilities who seek medical services during the coronavirus pandemic. We recently wrote to the NJ Department of Health regarding hospitals' policies that disallow patients who rely on their own mobility devices to use them while getting treatment. You can read the letter sent to Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli at the link below.

Census 2020: Shape Your Future!

UPDATE 10/14/20: The 2020 Census will now end on October 15th, but the online self-response in NJ will be available until 6 AM on October 16th.

The Alliance Center for Independence is working with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Census Bureau to encourage people with disabilities to fill out the Census.

Have you filled out your 2020 Census? A count of the population of the United States must be conducted every 10 years. Each household must fill out the Census for everyone living there. This includes those with disabilities!

People with disabilities make up 22% of the American public, yet they traditionally have been among the most under-counted populations. Among other things, your response determines how $1.5 trillion in federal funds are allocated every year, including funding for Medicaid, and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities.

Did not receive a Census? Go to 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.

For more information, contact Argenys Caba at acaba@adacil.org or 732-738-4388.

ACI Food Pantry is Still Operating During the Coronavirus Pandemic

If you are a low income person with a disability or are impacted by the pandemic and need food…we can help!

The ACI Food Pantry is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM during the coronavirus pandemic. We still continue to get donations of food and are fully stocked with canned vegetables, fresh milk, peanut butter, bread, water, and other essential items. We also have a limited number of masks and gloves.

Please call 732-738-4388 to schedule an appointment for curbside pickup outside of the ACI office, located at 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ.

The ACI Food Pantry is a proud member of the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS).

ACI strictly adheres to CDC and state health department guidelines regarding social distancing and maintaining virus-free environments.

Reopening State Parks and Limits on Accessible Parking

ACI recently wrote to the Mayor of Westfield in Union County regarding its policy on reopening its parks. Specifically, we are concerned these policies entail prohibiting parking at the parks, which unintentionally exclude people disabilities who require accessible parking.

As the state and municipal services begin to slowly reopen, ACI is closely monitoring how this gradual reopening will impact people with disabilities. Is your town not considering the rights of people with disabilities as it starts to reopen? Please let us know how the reopening has affected you.

Protect the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

ACI was one of 40 organizations to sign on to a letter sent to Congress to protect the rights of students with disabilities. If provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are waived, even temporarily, school-aged children with disabilities and their parents could lose their rights to participate in the public education system. IDEA requires schools to educate students with disabilities. It provides these students with the tools to succeed!