(UPDATE 5/31/21: The ACI CARES Act Assistance Program has ended as of May 31st. Since March, ACI has been providing direct assistance to dozens of individuals and families who have been impacted COVID-19. Unfortunately, funding has been exhausted and we are unable to continue the program.)
Are you disabled and living in Middlesex, Somerset, or Union counties? Are you facing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? ACI may be able to help!
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides supplemental funding for programs and a vast array of resources to assist people with disabilities to continue living independently in their communities across the U.S.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs), including the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), recently received funding to provide assistance to eligible individuals with disabilities facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This program is provided as a last resort. You must provide information that no other source of funding is available.
Completed applications need to be submitted to be considered for assistance. This program is effective until June 30, 2021.
For more information, please visit contact ACI, call our office at 732-738-4388, or call our hotline at 732-738-1941.
To commemorate President's Day, ACI presented The Legacy of FDR, which focused on the life and presidency of our 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The presentation also discussed his disability, which was mostly hidden from the public. ACI frequently has workshops on history and disability. To learn more, contact Luke at lkoppisch@adacil.org
ACI and friends went virtual to keep the Valentine's Day party going! The participants had fun playing Cupid Arrow's video game and trying to outdo each other's accuracy high score. Then we spent some time sharing positive messages by linking Sweetheart Candy Heart messages into fun sentences. We finished the afternoon with a breakout sessions where people were able to ask each other questions to get to know each other better and celebrate friendship!
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released for public comment a proposed rule to improve access to motor vehicles, including rental cars, for people with disabilities. The rule proposes changes to NHTSA’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to facilitate the use of adaptive equipment in rental cars and to simplify vehicle transport of wheelchairs and scooters.
Public comments are due January 27, 2021. For further information, visit DOT’s website or contact Gunyoung Lee of NHTSA Office of Crash Avoidance Standards at 202-366-6005, Daniel Koblenz of NHTSA Office of Chief Counsel at 202-366-5329, or David Jasinski at 202-366-5552.
“As a member of the disability community and a wheelchair user, I believe this is a step in the right direction.” says CJ Dodge, ACI’s Information & Referral Specialist. “There are not currently enough options for rental vehicles that have adaptive equipment. I believe this will allow companies who provide rental vehicles to begin to provide more inventory to the public. It also allows customers to choose the vehicle that they would like to use to fit their needs instead of having to choose the one option that is only sometimes available. I think that there is a need to take additional steps. I believe that every rental company should have not only the options that this proposal provides but also vehicles with ramps and adaptive seating already in place. I also believe that there should be vehicles that have adaptive equipment for people who are deaf or heard of hearing. People with disabilities should have the same opportunities as people without disabilities and that includes not having to go through extra waiting periods for adaptive rental cars to be found or retrofitted. I believe people with disabilities should be able to make a spontaneous trip if they desire to do so. But, there is definitely a need for this proposal because there isn't enough inventory available at rental companies now. “
If you are interested in writing your own testimony and would like help, contact cdodge@adacil.org
ACI’s Emergency Preparedness Team and guest speaker, John Ferguson from the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management, recently held a Zoom workshop about how people with disabilities can prepare for the winter weather. Topics included making an emergency plan, Go Bags, helpful resources, and more. The slideshow presentation can be downloaded at the link below.
As part of our continuing efforts to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the election process, the Alliance Center for Independence and REV UP NJ would like to learn about your experience voting in the last election. We are asking our constituents with disabilities and their family members to fill out the following survey.
