ACI's Middlesex Advocacy Group conducts Advocacy Tour

Members of ACI's Middlesex Advocacy Group recently conducted an accessibility tour of the Shop Rite Shopping Plaza on Route 1 in Edison. The goal of the tour was to ensure that the stores in the plaza were accessible and to advocate to make the necessary changes. Armed with tape measures, door pressure scales, and the ADA Checklist for for Existing Facilities, the group looked at the parking lot, aisle space, counter tops and curb cuts. Nybil Ghanem, Christine Hines, Lois Lebbing and Luke Koppisch participated in the event.

Interested in joining our efforts? Contact Nybil, Advocacy Group facilitator, at 732-738-4388 ext. 121 or nghanem@adacil.org.

"The tour was a good opportunity to educate business owners about the Americans with Disabilities Act, but also a great way to ensure that they comply with it." - Lois Lebbing, Advocacy Group Participant

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Attention Voters with Disabilities!

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.

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Voting.

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

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

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.

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

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.