DRNJ Latest News

Disability Rights New Jersey continues to litigate the case of Disability Rights New Jersey v. New Jersey Department of Education which seeks to ensure that students with disabilities in New Jersey are educated in the "least restrictive environment." Pursuant to a Court Order in the case, DRNJ is posting a "Notice of Disclosure of Student Records" in English and Spanish to allow DRNJ and its co-plaintiffs -- Education Law Center, The ARC of New Jersey and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network -- to obtain relevant documents.

To access the notices and disclosure forms, please click here for English or click here for Spanish.

Report of the New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools

The New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate issued a report of the New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools - "There Isn't A Moment To Lose: An Urgent Call for Reform and Effective Practices to Combat Bullying in New Jersey Schools".

To access the report, please click here.

Decade of Little Progress Implementing Olmstead Report

The National Disability Rights Network, DRNJ's national organization, issued a report "A Decade of “Little Progress” Implementing Olmstead: Evaluating Federal Agency Impact After 10 Years".

To access the report, please click here.

Arc Family Advocacy Survey

The Arc of New Jersey is concerned about the lack of data collected and disseminated by the Division of Developmental Disabilities regarding the desires and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They are also working on increasing outreach efforts to involve new families, as well as the larger community (including staff, friends, neighbors, etc.), in their advocacy.

As a way to begin to gather some much-needed data as well as reach out to more people, they have created a survey which can be filled out online at www.surveymonkey.com/arcfamilyadvocacy. The survey is not anonymous but it is confidential. Also included is an option within the survey to sign up to receive email updates and action alerts from the Family Advocacy Program. Non-family members who would like to receive email updates and action alerts can sign up as well and will be included in future advocacy efforts.

Social Security Administration to Pay SSI and Social Security recipients and applicants $500 Million under Settlement

U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilkens on August 11 tentatively approved a settlement that ends SSA’s policy of denying or suspending benefits based on an arrest warrant alone. As of April 1, 2009, no one applying for benefits will be denied benefits because of a felony warrant unless the applicant is in fact “fleeing.” SSA will pay $500 million in back benefits withheld from 80,000 people since January 1, 2007. Those whose benefits were denied or suspended between 2000 and 2006 and who are not receiving benefits will be notified so that they can re-establish eligibility. For more information about the settlement and the changes in Social Security’s policies, go here: http://www.nsclc.org and here: http://www.nsclc.org/areas/social-security-ssi/Martinez-Settlement. Read the Notice to Class Members about the settlement and about the Fairness Hearing on September 24 before Judge Wilkins. http://www.nsclc.org/areas/social-security-ssi/Martinez-Settlement/Court-Documents/class-notice/at_download/attachment.

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

The National Disability Rights Network, DRNJ's national organization, issued a report about the use of restraints and seclusion in schools. DRNJ staff shared information from NJ in the preparation of the report.

If you are interested in more information about the NDRN report, please visit the NDRN website at www.ndrn.org

For more coverage on this subject, here is a link to an article on the cover of USA Today - "GAO: Schools restrain, confine disabled children"

NJ Family Care Advertising Campaign

The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched an NJ FamilyCare advertising campaign to inform families to enroll eligible children in our comprehensive Children’s Health Insurance Program. Visit the NJ Family care website at www.njfamilycare.org to access the campaign. The radio ads in both English and Spanish are available for upload or download to your organization’s website, Facebook page or Twitter account.

NJ FamilyCare is a federal and state funded health insurance program created to help New Jersey's uninsured children have affordable health coverage. It is not a welfare program. NJ FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance.

Did You Serve in the U.S. Military?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that certain illnesses have been associated with military service. Please check the lists of illnesses and health concerns that have been identified with service during the wars listed. If you served during one or more of these periods of war and have any of the highlighted diseases, you may be eligible for compensation, benefits and health care. Please visit the following website for more information: www.veteranshealth.org

Public Testimony on Fiscal Accountability

On February 26, 2009, Mary Ciccone, Managing Attorney for DRNJ provided public testimony before the New Jersey Assembly Education Committee regarding changes to special education under the Fiscal Accountability Regulations. Click here to view the testimony.

DRNJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides services to all persons with disabilities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, ancestry or disability.
Any concerns regarding the agency’s compliance with these non-discrimination efforts may be brought to the attention of the Executive Director.

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities