Access Checklist for Vaccination Sites in New Jersey - Ensuring Vaccine Sites are Accessible to New Jerseyans with Disabilities

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) and the NJ Statewide Independent Living Council (NJSILC) recently released the “Access Checklist for Vaccination in New Jersey” to give vaccine sites a tool to ensure sites are physically accessible for people with all types of disabilities.

“The checklist is very comprehensive and will make a big impact on the smaller vaccination sites,” said Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI.

“Since the roll-out of the vaccines, it has been obvious that the accessibility needs of people with disabilities at vaccine distribution sites were not being anticipated - specially at smaller sites,” said Norman A. Smith, Chair of the NJSILC.

The checklist was developed in collaboration with the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) to ensure that vaccination sites in New Jersey are accessible to people with disabilities.

Read more …
Posted on April 19, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Emergency Preparedness, Advocacy, Press Release.

Disabled Advocacy 101

Recently, ACI held a 7-part series of Zoom workshops geared towards individuals who wanted to sharpen their advocacy skills to make changes in their community. Topics included voting and civil rights laws, public speaking skills, the history of disability, the legislative process, and systems v. self advocacy. Guest speakers included Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey of NJ 11th Legislative District and Stephen Leiberman of United Spinal. Upon completion, participants received an official NJ Senate and Assembly citation from the 11th District office. Congratulations to all our participants!

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Workshop.

Bloomin’ 4 Good: ACI Selected to Benefit in Brand New Stop & Shop Floral Program Designed to Fight Hunger in Local Communities

Bloomin' 4 Good Fundraiser.jpg

Brighten up your spring with a bouquet of flowers that fights hunger in the local community! The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) has been selected by Stop & Shop in Edison as the benefiting hunger organization in the brand-new Bloomin' 4 Good Program for the month of May!

The Stop & Shop Bloomin' 4 Good Program, which launched in February 2021, is an easy way for shoppers to give back as part of the regular shopping routine. Every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold supports a hunger organization local to the Stop & Shop in which it was purchased. According to Feeding America, every $1 donation to a local hunger organization can provide 10 or more meals to someone in need.

As part of this ongoing program, every month at every Stop & Shop location, a different local organization is selected to benefit from the sale of the Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet. ACI was selected as the May beneficiary by local store leadership at the Stop & Shop located at 1083 Inman Ave, Edison, NJ. ACI will receive a $1 donation for every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet purchased at this Stop & Shop location throughout the month of May.

“Flowers can make someone's day, brighten up a room or spread a smile,” said Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI. “Now they can fight hunger too! We are thrilled to be chosen to benefit from this unique and impactful Stop & Shop Program, as the demands of those in need are higher than ever this year.”

For more information about the Stop & Shop Bloomin' 4 Good Program, please visit stopandshop.bloomin4good.com.

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Press Release.

Introducing the ACI CARES Act Assistance Program! (UPDATE: Program ended)

ACI CARES Act Assistance Program.jpg

(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.

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella.

Virtual Valentine's Day Event

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!

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Social Rec.