Alliance Center for Independence
ACI is happy to partner with ONE HOPE for a summertime wine fundraiser! Just visit their website through this link and 10% of any purchase you make will be donated directly to ACI. You have until Wednesday, September 9th so order soon!
If you are on Facebook, we encourage you to join our Wine Fundraiser group and share it on your page.
We would like to thank Melissa Genovese from ONE HOPE for organizing this fundraiser and believing in our cause!
On Tuesday, August 12th, NJ Governor signed into law Senate bill S-362, which would require NJ Transit’s Access Link services to operate during a state of emergency if it is determined it can be done safely.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (Burlington County), and Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully (Bergen County), Roy Freiman of Somerset County) and Senator Joseph Cryan (Union County).
Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, ACI has advocated to get NJ Transit to provide services during an emergency.
ACI would like to thank the Governor and the sponsors of the bill for recognizing and addressing the transportation needs of people with disabilities during an emergency.
Recently, the Alliance Center for Independence completed a grant from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, which was organized to assist people impacted by statewide disasters and emergencies. In June, ACI was awarded funding to provide food assistance to low income individuals with disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We wanted to use this funding to help meet the needs of people facing food insecurity during these challenging times," says, Carole Tonks, ACI's Executive Director. Specifically, the funding was used to purchase grocery store gift cards for 101 individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition, ACI staff purchased and delivered food to individuals and families within a 30 mile radius of our office. "There was a tremendous need for the services that we were offering through this grant", observed Argenys Caba, ACI Food Pantry Manager. "Over 400 people applied for the gift cards alone." To help meet the needs of people who we could not help through the grant, ACI offered the services of our food pantry and gave out resources for pantries throughout the state.
ACI is grateful for the funding we received from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund and is honored to be given the opportunity to directly assist our community.
ACI's food pantry remains open for curbside pickup, if you are in need, please contact Argenys at 732-738-4388 for an appointment.
The Alliance Center for Independence wants to hear from you!
As the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in NJ, the state has entered “Phase 2” of reopening. This means that restaurants, public facilities, and retail stores are now open (with limitations) to customers. Establishments have reconfigured their spaces (including outdoor seating for restaurants) in order to comply with social distancing and other guidelines.
In our continuing advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI is asking our constituents to provide feedback on accessibility of the establishments you are now patronizing. Please fill out the survey below and help make NJ more accessible during the reopening process!
If you have any questions, please contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org
Thank you!
There’s nothing easy about running for public office. Among many other things, it requires significant personal sacrifice, the know-how and skills to connect with voters, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Not only does it take a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally, but it can for those closest to you as well.
And when you have a disability, chances are you will face additional challenges during your campaign. Nonetheless, that shouldn’t stop you from following your dream, and you can actually use your knack for overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals to your advantage.
So, if you’ve decided to make a run for the school board, city council, congress, or any other public office, here are a few pieces of advice to consider:
The New Jersey Centers for Independent Living along with the NJ Association for Centers for Independent Living (NJACIL) are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by hosting an ADA 30 by 30 commemoration. For 30 days in July, we will highlight ADA activities, information, videos, and events focused on what the ADA means to us in the disability community. Each day, we will share an item/host a workshop/offer an opportunity for dialogue from one of the New Jersey CILs that will empower disability advocates, help you learn something new about this landmark civil rights law, and raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities.
As the disability community in NJ and around the county prepare to mark the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, the Alliance Center for Independence wrote to the Governor Murphy's administration urging him to remind businesses of their requirements to comply with the ADA. As the state starts to reopen and recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic, ACI is concerned that retail stores and restaurants will not make their establishments barrier free and welcoming to people with disabilities. Below is a letter sent to Paul Aronsohn, NJ's Ombudsman for People with Developmental Disabilities and their Families expressing our concerns.
