The Power of the Disability Vote! 2023

On September 14th, individuals with disabilities from across New Jersey gathered at the Statehouse in Trenton to showcase the power of the disability vote!

The event was sponsored by REV UP NJ and the Alliance Center for Independence and took place during Disability Voting Rights Week, a national effort by REV UP to get those running for elected office to listen to the concerns and issues of their disabled constituents. The event also featured many great speakers including NJ Assembly Speaker, Craig Coughlin and a live performance by musician, Cory Singer.

REV UP NJ is a chapter of REV UP, a national effort of the American Association of Persons with Disabilities (AAPD).

For additional information, please contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org or visit adacil.org/voting

Radiological Community Reception Center Exercise

ACI participated in a Radiological Community Reception Center Exercise conducted by the Middlesex County Department of Health and local emergency response organizations. Consumers and staff learned firsthand about the emergency procedures during a radiological event. After the simulation, participants provided feedback on ways to improve accessibility during a real emergency.

Day of Mourning Vigil 2023

On the night of March 1st, ACI joined disability advocates across the nation in a Day of Mourning Vigil in Edison. The vigil remembered and honored disabled victims murdered by their parents or caretakers. The emotional ceremony included speeches, poems and reading the names and ages of the 550 victims who were murdered between 2021 and 2023. This adds to a growing list of 1600+ names.

The national Day of Mourning is a time for the disability community to commemorate the many lives cut short. By honoring disabled victims and celebrating the lives they lived, the vigil sends a message that disability is not a justification for violence and disabled lives are valued.

ACI would like to thank Eugene Meyers of NorthJersey.com and USA Today Network and Della Crews of News12 for their recent reporting on this important issue.

New Jersey Snow Removal Law

Winter is here! The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) would like to remind all municipalities about NJ's Snow Removal Law. Businesses in your community need to be aware of this important law!

Passed in 1999, Snow Removal Law (P.L., 1999, Chapter 182. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-207.9), which requires owners and operators of parking lots to remove snow, ice and other obstructions from accessible parking spaces, access aisles and curb cuts.

The owners and operators must remove snow and ice within 24 hours of the occurrence or be fined $500 to $1,000.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

ACI Interviews the Somerset County Department of Health About COVID-19 Vaccines

In 2022, ACI was awarded a grant through the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center (DVAO) and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the disability community in Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties, including marginalized communities within the disabled community.

ACI’s efforts in this project included organizing health fairs, distributing vaccine sites accessibility surveys to area pharmacies, arranging for vaccination for homebound residents, offering PPE to food pantry consumers, and partnering with counties’ health departments regarding the status of availability of vaccines and boosters.

Recently, ACI interviewed Amanda Amodio of the Somerset County Department of Health (SCDOH) to discuss the status of COVID-19 vaccines. To watch the interview, please click here.

The number for scheduling homebound vaccines is 1-844-569-0390 and the Somerset County Department of Health direct phone number is 908-231-7155. If you need assistance getting transportation to a vaccine site, please contact our office.

ACI Choir Holiday Concert 2022 🎅

On December 8th, the ACI Choir held a holiday concert at the St. Paul The Apostle Senior Residences building. A large crowd of seniors and families participated in a fun evening of song and festivities. Santa even stopped by! It was a great evening!

You can watch the full concert below!