ACI and Other Organizations Visit Congressman Pallone's Office to Support the Disability Integration Act (UPDATE)

On April 26th, ACI, NJ ADAPT, Atlantic County Center for Independent Living, SILC, NJ YELL and other disability organizations visited Congressman Pallone office in New Brunswick to hold him to his promise of co-sponsoring the Disability Integration Act. A meeting with the Congressman and our group is set for May 6th.

(UPDATE: 5/6/19): Advocates from several disability organizations in NJ met with Congressman Pallone at his district office in Long Branch on May 6th. The topic was the Disability Integration Act. Stay tuned...

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Voting.

ACI Brings Awareness to Sexual Assault During SAAM 2019

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. People with disabilities are sexually assaulted at nearly three times the rate of people without disabilities. ACI is committed to bringing awareness to this growing situation. Denim Day and the Clothesline Project are international movements to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual assault.

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Set the Table! Focus Group

ACI was host to a Set the Table! public forum on the future of Middlesex County services. Middlesex County’s Destination 2040 drew about 30 county residents with disabilities who gave input on the housing, transportation, recreation and public service needs of the county.

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy, Workshop.

Remembering Ethan Ellis (1933-2019)

Nationally known disability advocate and professional, Ethan B. Ellis, passed away on Friday, March 22nd in Piscataway, NJ. He was 85.

During his career, Ethan assisted in the success of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), served as Director of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities during a time when the state closed two developmental centers, was instrumental in elevating the individual rights and autonomy of people with developmental disabilities, and championed a systemwide shift to services directed by the individuals receiving those services and their designated family members.

ACI and NJ CILs Testify at Assembly Budget Hearings

CJ Dodge, ACI and Donald Campbell, Atlantic County Center for Independent Living, testifying at the Assembly Budget Hearings on behalf of the NJ Association of Centers for Independent Living. The 11 CILs are advocating for a 4 million dollar line item in the state budget. If you would like to help, please contact us.

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Pass the Disability Integration Act Now!

Disability advocacy organizations, including ADAPT and ACI have been advocating for passage of the federal Disability Integration Act of 2019. This proposed federal legislation ensures that any insurance company willing to provide institutional support would also be required to cover home and community based support for individuals with long term services and supports. When enacted, this law will allow individuals the option of obtaining those needed services in their home or community rather than in an institutional or segregated residential setting. In January, the Disability Integration Act was reintroduced in US Senate (Bill no. S 117) and in the US House of Representative (Bill No. H.R. 555).

Visit disabilityintegrationact.org for more information.

Senator Cory Booker, and Representatives Donald Payne Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman and Chris Smith have signed their names onto this important bi-partisan (support from Republicans and Democrats) legislation, and we want to thank them. However, several lawmakers from NJ who have not yet publicly supported the Disability Integration Act, including Senator Robert Menendez, Rep. Frank Pallone (6th Congressional District) and Rep. Mikie Sherril (11th Congressional District).

ACI Participates in Nation-Wide Day of Mourning Vigil

In the past 5 years, over 650 people with disabilities have been murdered by their parents/caregivers. 184 new murders this year. Disabled lives cannot be valued less than the lives of those without disabilities. It cannot be excused, minimized or normalized. On the night of March 1st, we honored the victims by reading their names out loud. Rest in peace...you are remembered. Thank you to those who joined us on this difficult evening.

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.