FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
Carole Tonks, Executive Director, Alliance Center for Independence
Phone: 732-738-4388
Email: ctonks@adacil.org
Website: www.adacil.org
On July 16th, dozens of disability advocates and voting rights experts will mark the annual National Disability Voter Registration Week with a kickoff event at the NJ State House Annex on 131 West State Street in Trenton. Time is set for 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. This event is open to the public.
This purpose of the day is to underscore the importance of the disability vote in this year’s gubernatorial election. “With nearly 10% of the state’s population identifying themselves as having a disability, we need to show the candidates that our issues need to be addressed,” says Carole Tonks, Executive Director of Alliance Center for Independence.
The National Disability Voter Registration Week Kickoff event will feature noteworthy speakers on the voter rights of people with disabilities, including advocates with disabilities. Scheduled speakers include: Zach Baldwin, advocate at the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and National REV UP Organizer, Mercedes Witowsky, Executive Director of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, Scott Elliott, Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, Norman Smith, Associate Executive Director, Project Freedom, Inc. Christopher Miller, representing Disability Rights NJ and Eulanda Brooks, civil rights and voting rights advocate.
Also speaking will be NJ Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling of Monmouth County.
This 3rd Annual event will also will also consist of giveaways, music, and an ice cream truck. There will be resource tables, staffed by representatives from disability and voting rights organizations who will conduct voter registration.
The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI). ACI is a 501(c) (3) community-based, grassroots organization that supports and promotes independent living for people with disabilities in Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties. REV UP NJ is a chapter of the national REV UP, an effort to increase the participation of people with disabilities.
ACI and REV UP are strictly non-partisan organizations and do not endorse or support any candidate for political office. The kickoff event is funded by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities.
