The Alliance Center for Independence is planning a panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccines that is open to the disability community. The purpose of the event is to provide the disability community with information so that individuals can make an informed choice about getting or not getting a vaccine.
To help in the planning process, ACI is asking our consumers to fill out the following survey.
ACI is hiring!!!
ACI is excited to have received a grant from the Kessler Foundation. The Community Employment Grant will focus on preparing people with disabilities to work in the food service industry while receiving their ServSafe Food Handler certification. We are looking for an energetic and creative program manager. Responsibilities will include certifying 12 individuals with disabilities on the basics of working in the food service industry, including food prep, safe food handling, customer service, money skills, time management and employment preparation. 28 hours per week with benefits. Drug and background check needed.
If interested, please send your resume to ctonks@adacil.org. No calls please.
The Alliance Center for Independence and REV UP New Jersey would like to remind everyone to vote on Primary Election Day this Tuesday, June 8th.
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election on November.2. In New Jersey only voters who are registered party members as a Democrat or a Republican can vote. Voters can register as party members at the polls on primary election. Registered Democrats can only vote for the Democratic Party candidate; registered Republicans for the Republican Party candidate.
If you are disabled and interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, but are having difficulty getting an appointment, ACI is working with volunteers who can help schedule one for you. The following information will need to be provided:
Name
Address
Cell phone
Date of birth
If you have any travel restrictions
Vaccine preference (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson)
Please call the ACI COVID Hotline at 732-738-1941 for assistance or email ctonks@adacil.org with your information.
If you have any underlying conditions, please consult your healthcare provider prior to making a decision.
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.
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!
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.
