ACI participated in a Radiological Community Reception Center Exercise conducted by the Middlesex County Department of Health and local emergency response organizations. Consumers and staff learned firsthand about the emergency procedures during a radiological event. After the simulation, participants provided feedback on ways to improve accessibility during a real emergency.
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.
ACI’s Emergency Preparedness Team and guest speaker, John Ferguson from the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management, recently held a Zoom workshop about how people with disabilities can prepare for the winter weather. Topics included making an emergency plan, Go Bags, helpful resources, and more. The slideshow presentation can be downloaded at the link below.
On Tuesday, August 12th, NJ Governor signed into law Senate bill S-362, which would require NJ Transit’s Access Link services to operate during a state of emergency if it is determined it can be done safely.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (Burlington County), and Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully (Bergen County), Roy Freiman of Somerset County) and Senator Joseph Cryan (Union County).
Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, ACI has advocated to get NJ Transit to provide services during an emergency.
ACI would like to thank the Governor and the sponsors of the bill for recognizing and addressing the transportation needs of people with disabilities during an emergency.
The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), with support from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, is helping to alleviate food insecurity facing low income disabled individuals and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of our efforts, we will be delivering food to those who are unable to get to the store. Deliveries will be available to individuals with disabilities/and or family members. You must live within 35 miles of our office at 629 Amboy Avenue in Edison, NJ.
UPDATE (6/22/2020): We are no longer accepting applications. If you need food assistance, the ACI Food Pantry is still open under limited days and hours during the pandemic.
The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), with support from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, is helping to alleviate food insecurity facing low income disabled individuals and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of our efforts, we will be distributing grocery store gift cards to 100 approved individuals and/or families. Approved recipients/households will receive a $100 gift card for two consecutive months, for a total of $200. The gift cards are intended to supplement existing benefits, such as SNAP.
UPDATE (6/18/2020): We are no longer accepting applications. All of the gift cards have been claimed. If you need food assistance, the ACI Food Pantry is still open under limited days and hours during the pandemic.
UPDATE (7/10/2020): ACI, in cooperation with the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, will be distributing supermarket gift cards within the next couple of weeks to people with disabilities and their families. ACI has chosen the first 100 recipients who applied. Those of you receiving a gift card have been contacted by ACI either by phone and/or email. If you have not received an email or call, you have not been selected. We received an overwhelming reply for the gift cards, but were only able to provide to the first 100 people. Please do not call the office if you have not heard from us. Thank you for your understanding.
If you or your family are in need of food, please contact Argenys Caba at 732-738-4388 to make an appointment for the food pantry (curbside only). If you do not live in the Edison area, we will be happy to provide you with a list of food pantries in your county.
While some steps have been taken to help protect older adults and people with disabilities from the coronavirus, the prolonged nature of the pandemic requires additional action and investment. In response, legislators announced the COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act.
This act would:
Require the Social Security Administration to halt unnecessary activities like continuing disability reviews and collection of overpayments for seniors and people with disabilities.
Remove administrative barriers to accessing disability benefits and health care, and expand eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Open a Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to easily and quickly enroll more people during the public health emergency.
Increase funding for the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to educate seniors about coronavirus-related scams.
Provide flexibility for the senior food box program to limit the number of times a senior must leave their home in order to access proper nutrition.
ACI is one of 55 national and state organizations representing older adults, people with disabilities and home health care workers who have signed on to support the bill. You can read more about the bill at the link below.
