Disability Rights Are Civil Rights

@aci_edisonnj #ADA #mycivilrights #alliancecenterforindependence #edisonnj #disabledtiktok #aci #fyp ♬ Shame on you - Sheba

Written by Nybil Ghanem, Disability Advocate and I&R Specialist for ACI…and VOTER!

Throughout the history of the ADA, disability advocates all across the country continue to fight tirelessly for our civil rights, as well as including accessibility into the mix, at every level at every turn! This will be 32 years since the passing of The Americans with Disabilities Act, more commonly known as The ADA!

It doesn't just begin and end, with every broken sidewalk, no, but with every broken wheelchair, with every broken job turn down, or with every broken healthcare restriction, to every broken piece of assistive technology, that is constantly needing enforcement for change! The ADA helped 'pave the way' for a more inclusive America and with the goal of fighting for endless inclusivity in our homes, in every door entrance, and beyond! These are a few prime examples of how disabled individuals' lives are affected and how far we need to go.

From advocating for NJ Workability on a state level, to increasing funding for all the NJ Centers for Independent Living on a state level, to updating ABLE Laws on the Federal Level, the ADA proclamation was truly just the beginning, but certainly not the end! All people with disabilities and our supporters must continue to let not just our voices be heard, but our rights must be heard even louder!

Disabled and Proud is this disability advocates war cry as I 'wheel on' and march onward to freedom! Onward to strengthening our rights under the ADA!

July 26th Marks the 32nd Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

@aci_edisonnj #ada32 #alliancecenterforindependence #aci #werenotgonnatakeit #revup #wevote ♬ We're Not Gonna Take It (2016 Remaster) - Twisted Sister

The Alliance Center for Independence would like to recognize and congratulate the tireless efforts of advocates who worked on getting the Americans with Disabilities Act passed and signed into law 32 years ago on July 26th. This landmark civil rights law has had a profound impact on the lives of people with disabilities in the area of employment, local and state services, areas of public accommodations, and telecommunications.

However, our fight continues. While the ADA has been the law of land for over three decades, the struggle for compliance rests on the shoulders of the present generation of advocates. Employment among people with disabilities remains low, nursing homes and institutions are still warehousing people with disabilities, the fight for simply curb cuts on streets and accessible parking spots still go on.

ACI supports and salutes those who never give up!

Having Trouble Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccination or Booster Shots?

Through a grant from the Centers of Disease Control Foundation and Able South Carolina, ACI is partnering with the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunity Center (DVAO) to increase access to the COVID-19 vaccinations among NJ residents with disabilities. Efforts include removing barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining vaccinations and combating vaccine hesitancy.

ACI is working with the Middlesex County Health Department to organize mobile vaccination units and pop up vaccination sites at events throughout the area. If your organization is interested in having a mobile vaccination unit or pop up unit at your event, contact ctonks@adacil.org

Is the lack of accessible and safe transportation preventing you from getting your COVID vaccine or booster shot? ACI may be able to assist. Call us at 732-738-4388

For more information about vaccinations, including where to get your vaccine, contact:

• Disability Information and Access Hotline at 888-667-1199 or acl.gov/dial

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: covid19.nj.gov

• Alliance Center for Independence at adacil.org or the ACI helpline at 732-738-1941

Please Support NJ WorkAbility Bills!

The Disability Advocacy Committee, of which ACI is a member, has been working on advocating to make changes to the NJ WorkAbility program. NJ WorkAbility offers people with disabilities who are working, and whose income would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid, the opportunity to receive full Medicaid coverage.

Legislation, A5262 and S3455, is pending in the NJ Legislature to make 5 changes that would benefit more people with disabilities who which to return to work but continue to receive Medicaid. These are…

• The removal of the unearned income limit

• The removal of the earned income limit

• The removal of the current upper-age limit of 64

• Continued coverage for 12 months following a job loss

• The exclusion of spousal income and resources in the applicant's eligibility determination

Please click on the link below to send letters to the Senate and Assembly leadership and Governor Murphy before the current legislature expires in January: actionnetwork.org/letters/please-support-nj-workability-bills-a5262-as-introduced-and-s3455

Great.com Interview with ACI's CJ Dodge

Individuals with disabilities face the same challenges that everyone does in life, however their disabilities may not only make those challenges more difficult but they often have additional obstacles as well. Many of these obstacles are due to how the world around them is designed and the lack of adequate support systems. But, this need not be the case. In this episode, we talk with Charles Dodge from Alliance Center for Independence about providing resources and education for disabled individuals on how they can live their lives independently as possible, as well as providing resources and assistance for those that are in need and would like to be independent.

Disabled Advocacy 101

Recently, ACI held a 7-part series of Zoom workshops geared towards individuals who wanted to sharpen their advocacy skills to make changes in their community. Topics included voting and civil rights laws, public speaking skills, the history of disability, the legislative process, and systems v. self advocacy. Guest speakers included Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey of NJ 11th Legislative District and Stephen Leiberman of United Spinal. Upon completion, participants received an official NJ Senate and Assembly citation from the 11th District office. Congratulations to all our participants!