ALLIANCE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE/REV UP NJ KICKS OFF NATIONAL DISABILITY VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK WITH AN EVENT AT THE NJ STATEHOUSE ANNEX IN TRENTON ON TUESDAY, JULY 18TH.
On July 18, dozens of disability advocates and voting rights experts will mark the annual National Disability Voter Registration week with a kickoff event at the NJ Statehouse 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.
In addition to recognizing National Disability Voter Registration week, the 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.
NJ Senate President Stephen M. Sweeny (D-3) will be the featured speaker.
Other noteworthy speakers that will address the rights of voters with disabilities include: Kevin Casey, Executive Director of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, Helena Berger, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Scott Elliott, Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, Norman Smith, Associate Executive Director, Project Freedom, Inc., and Ashley Ritchey, Director, NJ Self Advocacy Project.
Also presenting will be Douglas L. Kruse, Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University’s Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations. Professor Kruse is the author of several studies on profit sharing, disability, employee ownership and worker displacement. He also served Senior Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, 2013-2014.
The day will also consist of giveaways, live music by Johnny Crescendo and resource tables, staffed by representatives of voting rights organizations. Voting registration will be conducted as well.
A Joint Legislative Resolution, authored by Senator Patrick J. Diegnan (D-18), Assemblywoman Pinkin (D-18) and Assemblyman Robert J. Karabinchak (D-18), acknowledging National Disability Voter Registration Week and the efforts of REV UP, REV UP – NJ, the Alliance Center for Independence and disability advocates will be read.
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 in the election process.
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.
