Enter for a Chance to Win a Holiday Toy Gift Basket from ACI! (UPDATE: WINNERS!)

1. Magic Mixies/OMG Doll

2. Barbie (Vitiligo/Wheelchair)

3. Barbie (Prosthetic Leg/Wheelchair)

4. Barbie (Frida Kahlo/Wheelchair)

(UPDATE 12/17/21: Congratulations to our toy raffle winners!! Jeff Kostuk, Millie Gonzalez, and Brenda Cazares!!)

Just in time for the holidays! We are raffling off several holiday toy gift baskets featuring a LOL Surprise OMG Fashion doll, a Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron, and several disability-themed Barbie dolls!

To enter, just pick a raffle ticket that you would like to purchase from the drop down menu below and click the “Buy Now” button. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the ACI office (located at 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ). Tickets are $15 for the Magic Mixies/OMG doll raffle and $5 for each of the Barbie doll raffles.

All proceeds benefit ACI’s programs and services.

Winners will be announced on Friday, December 17th. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Donate.

ACTION ALERT: Support the Freedom to Vote Act!

On September 14th, legislation was introduced in the United States Senate that will protect access to the ballot box of voters and will make it easier for citizens to cast a ballot in a secure but convenient way.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the bill, the Freedom to Vote Act, will:

Required every state to have automatic voter registration.
Make Election Day a federal holiday.
Provide that eligible citizens could request a mail ballot and drop it off at a secure drop box if they so desire.
Restore federal voting rights to returning citizens who have been released from prison after serving their sentences.
Ban partisan gerrymandering and makes it easier for judges to strike down legislative district maps that unfairly entrench one political party in power and deny communities of color fair representation

Great.com Interview with ACI's CJ Dodge

Individuals with disabilities face the same challenges that everyone does in life, however their disabilities may not only make those challenges more difficult but they often have additional obstacles as well. Many of these obstacles are due to how the world around them is designed and the lack of adequate support systems. But, this need not be the case. In this episode, we talk with Charles Dodge from Alliance Center for Independence about providing resources and education for disabled individuals on how they can live their lives independently as possible, as well as providing resources and assistance for those that are in need and would like to be independent.

COVID-19 Vaccine Survey for People with Disabilities

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.

DOWNLOAD SURVEY (WORD DOC)

DOWNLOAD SURVEY (PDF)

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health.

New Job Opportunity at ACI: Food Service Program Manager

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.

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Employment.

Don't Forget to Vote on Tuesday, June 8th!

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.

Vaccine Appointment Assistance for People with Disabilities

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: