ACI Meets with Assemblywoman, Nancy Pinkin, to Revise Accessible Parking in NJ

Luke and Carole with NJ Assemblywoman, Nancy Pinkin (middle)

On August 19th, Carole and Luke met with state assemblywoman, Nancy Pinkin of the 18th Legislative District, which includes Edison. Among other topics, the assemblywoman was asked to sponsor a bill to revised NJ's accessible parking to eliminate the word "handicapped" and to replace the old wheelchair symbol of accessibility with a modern symbol of active wheelchair user. All new accessible parking signs will be subjected to this change. A bill, which is based on NY's new accessible parking law, is currently being drafted by the Office of Legislative Services.

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

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.

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.