Posts filed under Advocacy

Protect Medicaid Rally to Defend Vital Medicaid Funding

TRENTON, NJ – [February 19, 2025] – The New Jersey Protect Medicaid Coalition is mobilizing advocates, community members, and supporters to rally to defend Medicaid funding. Proposed cuts in the federal budget will negatively impact 1.9 million New Jerseyans. The Protect Medicaid Rally will take place on Thursday, March 6, from noon to 2 PM at the NJ State House Annex, 145 West State Street, Trenton, NJ, rain or shine.

“We cannot stand by while life-sustaining services are threatened. This rally is an opportunity for our community to come together and demand that our legislators protect Medicaid,” said Colleen Roche, a Medicaid recipient and member of the Coalition. “Medicaid is not just health insurance - it’s a lifeline.”

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Press Release.

ACTION ALERT: Medicaid is at risk of being cut! Share your story! 🚨

As the new Congressional leadership prepares their 2025 legislative agenda, reports show that Medicaid is at risk of being cut. If you have Medicaid, these changes will impact you!

According to Justice in Aging, Medicaid "reform" proposals will lead towards taking federal funding away from states or restrict eligibility. Nearly 80 million (including 13 million seniors and people with disabilities) rely on Medicaid for health and long term care.

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

ACTION ALERT: We need your stories about NJ Transit! 🚨

Are you a person with disabilities who has faced challenges while using NJ Transit bus services, including Access Link? ACI wants to hear from you!

We are collecting stories from individuals who have had their Access Link rides canceled abruptly, experienced significant delays, faced untrained drivers on fixed-route buses, untrained in tie-down procedures or encountered malfunctioning wheelchair lifts. Your voice matters, and sharing your experience can help bring about much-needed change!

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Congressman Andy Kim Visits ACI

ACI was honored to host a disability issues roundtable with Congressman Andy Kim. Congressman Kim represents the 3rd congressional district, which includes Burlington County and parts of Monmouth and Mercer counties. He is currently running for the U.S. Senate.

Ten advocates participated in the discussion and provided personal perspectives on various issues affecting the 1.7 million people with disabilities in New Jersey. Among these topics were transportation, employment, and disaster preparedness. Congressman Kim shared his concerns and expressed his eagerness for ongoing dialogue to discuss solutions to these issues.

A thank you also goes out to Made with Love: ACI Catering for the delicious breakfast!

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Voting, Advocacy.

Seeking Feedback on NJ’s New State Plan for IL

MISSION, GOALS & ACTION STEPS FOR 2024-2027 NJ STATE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

IDENTIFYING & OUTREACHING TO UNDERSERVED CONSUMER POPULATIONS

NJSILC MISSION STATEMENT

To advocate and coordinate cost-effective, consumer-driven services that provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to choose their lifestyle, to contribute to the economy and to live life in an inclusive environment.

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Access Link Evaluation Survey

Senator Vince Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian, and Assemblywoman Claire Swift of Atlantic County are seeking honest and personal responses about the quality of service provided by Access Link since 2021. These responses will help inform concrete policy changes that enhance the accessibility and functioning of Access Link.

Your responses will be kept confidential and are for informational purposes only.

Take the survey at the link below.

TAKE SURVEY

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

ACI Celebrates the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A message from Carole Tonks and Nybil Ghanem about the ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a ground-breaking civil rights law that protects the rights of those with disabilities and enables 61 million Americans to be fully included in society.

Today marks the 34th Anniversary of the signing of the ADA by President George H. W. Bush.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Join ACI in celebrating the ADA and recognizing the hard work of 100s of advocates throughout the country to make this law possible. ACI also calls upon the disability community to keep the spirit of the ADA alive by advocating for greater enforcement, pointing out discrimination, complaining when faced with barriers, both attitudinal and physical, as well as spreading the word about the importance of this law, our civil rights law.

ACI is committed to ensuring that the promise of the ADA is realized and advocating against those who wish to weaken it.

For more information about the ADA, visit adata.org/learn-about-ada

MORE INFO

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.