ACI Recognizes Black History Month with Lecture on Civil Rights

Recently, ACI recognized Black History Month by hosting a presentation by Ronald Copeland, a local civil rights activist who worked to end segregation and discrimination in Somerset County during the 1960's and early 70's. The 25 people who attended also heard from Eulanda Brooks, ACI Independent Living Specialist, who related her experiences as a student protester and encounters with police during the 1967 riots in Detroit. Ethan Ellis, former Executive Director of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, also spoke about the disability rights movement and the significant role he played in it. Thank you to all three speakers for their informative and inspiring presentations!

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.

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!

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.

ACI's Advocacy Group Discusses Local Inaccessibility with Edison Mayor

Representatives from ACI's Advocacy Group recently met with Edison Township's Mayor Tom Lankey and Administrator Melissa Perilstein. Topics discussed were inaccessibility of some the of town's streets and sidewalks, enforcement of the snow removal law and housing. Thank you Mayor Lankey and Ms. Perilstein.

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.

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.