Kean University and ACI Partner for Sins Invalid Viewing Party

On the evening of April 27th, Kean University and ACI joined together to present a screening of Sins Invalid’s performance of Birthing, Dying, Becoming Crip Wisdom. The artistic performance included dance, spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and music. Each part of the performance touched on the stages of life of an individual with a disability from birth to death. It explored topics like body acceptance, sexuality, race, gender identity, ableism, discrimination, community activism, and peer support, among others. The audience consisted of both individuals with and without disabilities including many different demographics. After the screening, the audience had a spirited conversation about the topics of the film and how they had experienced or viewed them in their own lives. They also spoke about the importance of marginalized groups working together to create a unified community.

ACI Remembers Disabled Victims Murdered by Family Memebers or Caretakers

On March 1st 2017, the disability community and our allies gathered around the world for annual Day of Mourning. For the past 3 years ACI organized and hosted a vigil to mourn and to express our outrage. This year more than 100 people were added to the already too long list of victims murdered by a family member or care giver. We decry these incidents as unacceptable. We demand justice. And we speak for those who are no longer alive to speak for themselves. We will host this vigil every year until it is no longer needed. Thank you to all who attended this poignant evening.

"No Hate" Town Hall Meeting

Photo credit: Patti Banks/Patrician Photo for Kean University

Photo credit: Patti Banks/Patrician Photo for Kean University

Photo credit: Patti Banks/Patrician Photo for Kean University

Photo credit: Patti Banks/Patrician Photo for Kean University

ACI was at the “No Hate” Town Hall Meeting at Kean University on January 12th. The American Conference on Diversity (ACOD), in collaboration with Kean University, hosted this meeting with the intention of engaging in an open dialog about diversity, inclusion, and ending hate. The panel included representatives from the legal community as well as Kean and Rutgers Universities. The mission of empowering individuals and institutions to address issues of bias and discrimination is important to support. Thank you to all those who stopped by our table for information.

Photo credit for last four photos: Patti Banks/Patrician Photo for Kean University

Get Educated and Registered for the 2016 Election!

The following NJ Centers for Independent Living/REV UP NJ will be holding Voter Education/Registration events.

• Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) - September 14th - Voter Registration Day, 629 Amboy Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837. 732.738.4388 or ctonks@adacil.org. Register to vote and get a free REV UP NJ t-shirt: adacil.org

• Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) - September 2nd - Voting Rights/Registration- The Arc of Middlesex County, Raritan Center, Edison NJ, 732.738.4388, ctonks@adacil.org, adacil.org

• Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) - September 6th - Voting Rights/Registration- Edison Workshop, Edison, NJ, 732.738.4388, ctonks@adacil.org, adacil.org

• Resources for Independent Living (RIL) - Voter Education/Registration, October 11th - 1:30 to 3:30 PM, 351 High Street, Suite 103, Burlington, NJ, 609.747.7745

• Center for Independent Living-SJ - Voter Registration- August 26th, 10am to 3:30 pm. - 1150 Delsea Drive, Suite 1, Westville, NJ 08093, 856.853.6490. Free water ice if you register to vote!

• Heightened Independence & Progress - (Heightened Independence Project) September 10th, Voter Registration, 35 Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ (outside of the HIP building) 201.533.4407

• MOCEANS Center for Independent Living - 279 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740- Voter Registration/Education Workshop coming in September - 732.571.4884

• Progressive Center for Independent Living - Voter Registration/Education Workshop coming in September - 3525 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619, 609.581.4500

• Heightened Independence & Progress/Bergen - Voter Registration Workshop - Date to be announced. 131 Main Street, Suite 120, Hackensack, NJ 07601, 201.996.9100

• Camden City Independent Living Center - Voter Registration events in September and October. Virtua Campus, 1000 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104. For information, please call 856.966.0800 or email vedasmithccilc@aol.com

• DIAL, Inc. - Voter Education/Registration Workshop coming in September. 2 Prospect Village Plaza, First Floor, Clifton, NJ 07013, 973.470.8090

REV UP New Jersey Disability Voting Campaign Officially Kicks Off in Trenton

Thank you to everyone who braved the heat and participated in the REV UP New Jersey Kickoff at the NJ State House. About 30 people heard speeches about the importance of the disability vote and our participation in the election process. Among the speakers were: NJ Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling of Monmouth County, Kevin Casey, Executive Director of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities and Norman Smith, Associate Executive, Project Freedom.

The event was organized by Alliance Center for Independence and REV UP New Jersey and funded by the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.