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Posts filed under Advocacy
Test drive new accessible voting machines!
ACI is working together with Advancing Opportunities to come up with a new way to vote. Come and try the accessible voting machine New Jersey uses, and help us improve the next generation of voting machines! Get a $20 gift card to Wal-Mart for your time.
What's expected of you
- 30 minutes of your time.
- You will need to come to our demonstration site.
- Answer a few question.
- Try out the new accessible voting features of the voting machines NJ uses.
What we're looking for
- People with disabilities who have trouble using the standard voting machine.
- Someone who has limited use of their hands.
- People who have no upper extremity use, and use switches to control things.
WHEN: October 16th and 29th (by appointment).
To RSVP, please call Judy Nigl, Assistive Technology Services at 888-322-1918 ext. 595 or Luke Koppisch, ACI Deputy Director at 732-738-4388 ext. 110.
Accessible Taxi Cabs in Middlesex County Survey
Photo source: Post-Gazette
Do you live, work or travel in Middlesex County, NJ? Please take a moment to fill out this important survey. Thanks!
New Accessible Parking Law in NJ
A message from nj.com
People with disabilities will now be required to have their medical conditions recertified every three years to qualify for parking privileges in New Jersey, Motor Vehicle Commission chief administrator Raymond Martinez said today.
In the past, motorists would be required to undergo only an initial medical classification to qualify for the special placard and license plate. After that, materials would be renewed by mail every three years.
Now, when renewal is up, so is a medical classification requirement by a qualified medical professional. The changes take effect Aug. 1.
Motorists who already have the placards will not need to submit recertification until they're due for renewal.
The placards that are hung on rearview mirrors will also be redesigned to make the expiration date more visible and to prevent alterations. License plates that are renewed every year are also subject to the three-year medical recertification.
Martinez said the new rules aim to reduce fraud associated with the program. He said law enforcement officers often find motorists who use placards that are not assigned to the vehicle they are using or the placards belong to someone who has died.
Mainly, the new laws aim to reduce the number of placards and license plates issued to people who are no longer qualified to have them.
"It was almost an automatic renewal," Martinez said of the previous process. There was "no certification process with teeth to it, with scrutiny."
There are more than half a million placard and license plate holders in the state.
The MVC has already begun mailing registration renewals explaining the new law.
"This is just an attempt to tighten up the process a little bit," Martinez said. "Those spots are not just there for convenience, they're out of necessity."
SOURCE: nj.com via Associated Press
Pejorative Mental Health Language Bill Becomes Law
A message from the Mental Health Association in New Jersey
On August 7, New Jersey made important progress in our efforts to end stigma when Governor Christie signed A3357/S2224 into New Jersey law. The passing of this law will result in the removal of negative terms referring to people with psychiatric, cognitive or developmental disabilities in state statutes. The bills were sponsored by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg with many co-sponsors. It is important to note that the bill passed through both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly with unanimous positive votes in both houses!
Mental illness can strike anyone. It knows no age limits, economic status, race, creed or color. During the course of a year, one in four families is affected by mental illness. Many people have wrong and damaging ideas on the subject. Their opinions affect their actions and often prevent New Jersey residents with mental illness from living productive lives and contributing to their communities. Stigma around mental illness is often a huge obstacle to individual recovery. Accurate facts and information may help change negative ideas and help develop more informed and fair opinions.
"The Mental Health Association in New Jersey applauds our legislators for recognizing the importance of language in the fight against stigma," stated Carolyn Beauchamp, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ).
"Opinions are often formed by what is said, words that are used to describe mental illness or those with a mental illness. Changing outdated, disparaging language in our laws makes a strong statement that in New Jersey we are taking responsibility at the highest levels to acknowledge and remove destructive words that have contributed to stigma against those suffering with a mental illness," said Senator Weinberg.
"This is an important step in helping to change opinions about mental illness that are negative and based on incorrect information. These views cause stigma which often inhibits people who have mental illness from seeking treatment due to fear of repercussions of public knowledge of their problem. The treatment they avoid could be the key to enable them to lead productive lives and contribute to their communities," stated Assemblywoman Huttle.
Ultimately, this law eliminates demeaning and disrespectful terms when referring to persons with psychiatric, cognitive or developmental disabilities. For example: first-person language is now used; provisions are made gender neutral to the extent possible; anachronistic and unclear language has been eliminated or refined; and the names of institutions and agencies have been made current.
Examples of language to be replaced include:
Old Language
- Lunatic
- Institution for the Blind, Feeble Minded, Epileptic, and Insane
- Insane Asylum
- Incompetent
New Language
- Mentally Incapacitated
- Institutions for persons who are blind or have a mental illness or developmental disability
- Psychiatric Facility; Psychiatric Hospital
- Incapacitated
The MHANJ, Disability Rights New Jersey and other community partners consulted with the New Jersey Law Revision Commission as the bill was designed and developed. The MHANJ in a leadership role, along with the New Jersey Mental Health Coalition and others in the mental health community were strong advocates in supporting the bill.
SOURCE: MHANJ's Cutting Edge Newsletter
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Needs More Support!
A message from The ARC of Middlesex County
The failure of the U.S. Senate to ratify The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) last year means that we have to garner more support for this important treaty this year.
Over the last year, The Arc has been working with numerous disability advocacy groups to garner support for ratifying the treaty, which will promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
This week, in honor of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability groups are organizing events in Washington, DC to draw attention to this important treaty. Opponents of the treaty continue to work to stop ratification, and we need advocates like you to stand up to them. We need more U.S. Senators to support this treaty, so we need your help!
We need you to call your Senators and ask them to support the CRPD and urge their leaders to bring it up for hearings and a vote.
It is important for you to contact your Senators today and let them know that you support CRPD. We need every U.S. Senator to be contacted and to know that the disability community is leading the movement for U.S. ratification of this international disability treaty and our voice matters.
Tell your Senators:
- I am a person with a disability (I am a family member/friend/supporter of a person with a disability) and I want you to support CRPD!
- This treaty is very important to the U.S. disability community! Following U.S. ratification of the treaty, U.S. leadership will help raise accessibility around the world, directly helping Americans with disabilities who live, work, or travel abroad.
- The CRPD will not cost the federal government any additional funds.
- The CRPD has been reviewed by both Republican and Democratic Attorneys General and by past Counsel to Presidents. They confirm that it does not threaten the sovereignty of the U.S. nor does it require any new legislation to comply with the treaty.
- This treaty is good for American business and for the world. It will allow us to bring our knowledge and our products that help make society accessible to the whole world.
- Failure to ratify the CRPD is embarrassing for the US. We are the leaders in disability rights and we need to show the world that we support those rights for all individuals with disabilities around the globe.
New Jersey Death with Dignity Act
NJ Assembly panel has recently approved legislation known as the “New Jersey Death with Dignity Act,” which would allow voters to decide if New Jersey should create a process for terminally patients who wish to be provided medicinal assistance to end their lives.
Current NJ Law
A person who purposely aids another to commit suicide is guilty of a crime of the second degree if his conduct causes such suicide or an attempted suicide, and otherwise of a crime of the fourth degree. N.J. Statute Sec. 2C:11-6.
Background
On September 27, 2012, Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (Democrat, District 3) introduced A3328. His bill, the “New Jersey Death with Dignity Act” mirrors Oregon’s and Washington’s doctor-prescribed suicide laws, also called “Death with Dignity” laws. On October 15, 2012, Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (Democrat, District 22) and Senator Joseph F. Vitale (Democrat, District 19) introduced the Senate version of the bill.
If passed by the New Jersey legislature, the Act, as now written, would have to be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election to be held at least 70 days following the date of its enactment. However, Assemblyman Burzichelli has indicated that he may amend the bill so that it does not require voter approval.
If approved by the voters, the act would take effect on the first day of the third month following voter approval.
Text of A-3328, Assembly version of “New Jersey Death with Dignity Act”
Text of S-2259, Senate version of “New Jersey Death with Dignity Act”
Click here for an analysis of the bills put together by The Patients Rights Council.
ACI is currently working with other groups, such as Not Dead Yet, to educate the public and the legislature about the dangers of the "New Jersey Die with Dignity Act." Let us know if you wish to join our efforts!
