Posts filed under Advocacy

ACI Becomes a NJ Partner for REV UP Campaign

ACI has teamed up with Bob Kafka and the Texas Disability Project to become a NJ partner in the REV UP Campaign (Register, Educate, Vote, Use our Power)! The campaign is designed to get more people with disabilities and our supporters registered and voting!

We cannot rest on our past victories. We must build on the past and move forward using the power we have acquired. This power can be exerted by Making the DISABILITY VOTE Count! Policymakers are influenced by large numbers of people turning out to vote in the primaries and the general elections. Together we have the power to change our communities!

More than at any time in memory: Issues important to people with disabilities must be part of any candidate’s platform running for public office.
To Vote: First you must Register.
Get Educated on the issues.
Then most important you must Vote.
USE YOUR POWER! Together We Can Make a Difference!" - Bob Kafka, ADAPT

 
Join thousands of New Jerseyites with disabilities, family members and our supporters in this important historic election! Join us in the REV UP Campaign of New Jersey!

For info contact Carole Tonks at ctonks@adacil.org.

Posted on February 9, 2016 and filed under Advocacy, Voting.

Middlesex County Installs Accessible Audio Crosswalks in Fords

As a result of ACI's advocacy efforts, Middlesex County recently installed 12 accessible audio crosswalk signals on intersections along Amboy Ave, near King George Post Road in Fords, NJ. The new signals allow people with visual impairments and other disabilities to cross the busy streets safely and more independently. Congratulations to Argenys Caba for spearheading this successful effort!

Posted on February 4, 2016 and filed under Advocacy.

Safety Project Completion

Recently, 7 individuals completed an 8 week course on safety and abuse prevention. The classes, conducted by ACI staff, are part of a large nation-wide study to increase the safety knowledge and skills of people with intellectual disabilities conducted by the University of Montana. ACI is one of only 13 independent living centers selected throughout the country to partner with the University on this project.

Posted on January 4, 2016 and filed under Advocacy.

ACI's Advocacy Group Shows Support for Peter Singer Protest

Members of the ACI Advocacy Group met today to compose letters to the editor in opposition to Professor Peter Singer of Princeton University. ACI is working with other disability and civil rights organizations to hold a protest against Singer and Princeton University on Thursday, September 10th at 12 Noon on the steps of the NJ State House in Trenton.

For more details and to register for the protest, visit our events page.

Posted on August 25, 2015 and filed under Advocacy.

NJ DCR Discusses Discrimination Against Employees with Disabilities

On August 11th, 15 people attended a workshop on New Jersey's law against discrimination and employment. The workshop was conducted by Edward Haas, Legal Specialist of the NJ Division on Civil Rights. Thank you to Edward for the useful information!

Be sure to look for similar workshops on the civil rights of people with disabilities that ACI will be holding periodically.

Posted on August 19, 2015 and filed under Advocacy, Workshop.

NJTV Interviews ACI about ADA Violations in Atlantic City

The following is an article from njtvonline.org

Nybil Ghanem recalls when he went to Atlantic City several months ago, it was hard to get some places.

“I just thought it was very unfair that someone couldn’t get up to certain card table venues because of the stairs,” he said.

Ghanem encountered examples of what the Justice Department says it discovered in a four and a half year review: violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act at five Atlantic City hotels, casinos and restaurants — Resorts Casino Hotel, Tropicana Casino and Resort, Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, The Rainforest Café at the former Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal.

The violations include doors that require too much force to open, doorways that are too narrow for passage, gaming tables that are too high for wagering and disability parking spaces without signage.

But, instead of suing the businesses for damages, the Justice Department has reached settlement agreements. “The agreements require the hotels and casinos to remedy any violations, enabling people with mobility impairments to fully access these facilities.” The agreements include training staff and give businesses six months to two years to comply.

Posted on July 27, 2015 and filed under Advocacy.