On Primary Election Day, Disability Rights New Jersey will have attorneys available by telephone to answer your questions concerning any disability-related voting problem you might experience.
Please call 800-922-7233 or 609-633-7106 (TTY) or email Mciccone@drnj.org on June 3, 2014 between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Posts filed under Advocacy
The Faces and Facts of Disability
A message from SocialSecurity.gov
We are proud to announce the launch of Social Security’s disability education and awareness initiative, “The Faces and Facts of Disability.” Through this campaign, we hope to educate the public about the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and dispel common misconceptions. To learn more about the campaign, visit our Faces and Facts of Disability website at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts.
Please help us spread the word. Please share this information with your staff, clients, colleagues, and the general public. If you are able, please post this information on your website or other social media sites.
SOUTH PLAINFIELD BANK MAKES ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
Thanks to the help of ACI, the Wells Fargo Bank in South Plainfield, NJ recently installed ramps and lowered its check writing table to accommodate wheelchair users. Nybil Ghanem of ACI worked with the bank to make this change.
"This improvement will allow more people with disabilities to use the services of the Wells Fargo Bank." - Nybil Ghanem, Information and Referral Specialist
College Career Ready Academy - For Students with Mobility Disabilities
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, through the generous support of the Kessler Foundation, is offering a FREE workshop for high school students with mobility disabilities in July 2014.
This four-day summer experience will help make college-bound students with mobility disabilities ready for their futures in the competitive worlds of college admissions and employment.
Throughout the week, participants will be immersed in business simulation games, hear from college admissions officials, develop a plan for optimal high school outcomes, and earn credentials that will help build their résumés. In addition, and for the comfort of our participants, a semi-private stretching area will be available each day.
For more details, including how to register, please visit learndoearn.org.
Sandy Relief Modular Ramp Program
A message from the NJ Division of Disability Services
This program provides funding to replace, repair or build a modular ramp for any individual who required one at their Sandy impacted primary residence. In order for a person to qualify, they must have had a ramp that was damaged due to the storm and needs to be repaired or replaced; a ramp is needed in a home/apartment because an individual with a disability had to relocate due to the storm; or the existing ramp is no longer useful as their home had to be elevated to comply with new building codes.
Proposed Funding Increase for Independent Living
A message from the National Council on Independent Living
The 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill currently before Congress includes funding increases for Independent Living programs. If passed, the bill will increase total funding for Independent Living programs 3.34%, from a Fiscal Year 2013 total of $130 million to a new Fiscal Year 2014 total of nearly $135 million.
New Developments in Disaster Assistance for People with Disabilities.
An Update from the NCIL Emergency Preparedness and Response Subcommittee
Christy Dunaway, Chair
As reported in our last update, the lack of appropriate and accessible services and the violation of civil rights in shelters, disaster recovery centers and post-disaster offerings, such as emergency funding and housing, has been a cause for concern among advocates. The issue has been discussed frequently at local, state and national levels. In 2010, as a result of considerable advocacy efforts from many within the disability community, NCIL entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This MOU allows NCIL and our representatives access to Disaster Recovery Centers operated by FEMA. Access by CILs and other disability-related entities to the DRCs is vital in ensuring quality outcomes. DRC staff members are not as familiar with disability and functional needs or limitations as CIL staff are. We have played an important role in individual lives through our intervention at DRCs.
