Priorities
Protection
and advocacy program goals and priorities
ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable populations are served
and the most critical, far-reaching issues are addressed. Goals
and priorities also assist DRNJ as it faces a demand for representation
that often exceeds the resources of the P&A system.
DRNJ
began a new priority cycle in the fiscal year starting October 1,
2011. In preparation for the development of new priorities, DRNJ
distributed new priority rating surveys and conducted focus groups
of people with disabilities, their families, professionals, health
care and service providers and others about the needs of people
with disabilities and the barriers to addressing those needs. The
data collected was shared with our advisory groups and staff for
development into priorities, goals and objectives, and finally approved
by the DRNJ Governing Board at its September 2011 meeting.
If you
would like to be provided with surveys, or if your group would like
to host a focus group to help DRNJ modify or update its goals and
priorities, please contact DRNJ's outreach office at 609-292-9742.
Goals
and priorities in effect through the 2014 fiscal year are listed
below. Comments or questions regarding DRNJ's current priorities
should be directed to DRNJ at 609-292-9742 or advocate@drnj.org.
GOAL 1 - ABUSE
AND NEGLECT
PRIORITY:
DISCHARGE FROM INSTITUTIONS
To ensure
that individuals with disabilities in institutional settings are
discharged to community settings with appropriate supports and services.
PRIORITY:
RESTAINT AND SECLUSION
To reduce
the incidence of restraint and seclusion within institutional settings.
PRIORITY:
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
To ensure
that the rights of individuals with disabilities in institutions
and community settings are protected.
PRIORITY:
UNUSUAL AND SUSPICIOUS DEATHS
To ensure
that unusual and suspicious deaths of persons residing in state-operated
or sponsored institutions and programs are appropriately investigated
and responded to.
PRIORITY:
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE
To ensure
that beneficiaries of Social Security Disability and Supplemental
Security Income are not exploited or subject to abuse or neglect
by organizational representative payees.
GOAL
2 - DISCRIMINATION
PRIORITY:
HOUSING
To ensure
that people with disabilities have greater access to accessible,
affordable housing and experience decreased housing discrimination.
PRIORITY:
EMPLOYMENT
To ensure
that people with disabilities experience decreased employment discrimination
and gain increased opportunities.
PRIORITY:
VOTING
To ensure
that people with disabilities have the opportunity and can exercise
the right to register and vote.
PRIORITY:
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES
To ensure
that people with disabilities have non-discriminatory access to
public accommodations and public entities.
GOAL 3 - COMMUNITY-BASED
SERVICES
PRIORITY:
COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
To ensure
that people with disabilities have access to appropriate community-based
supports and services to promote integration and independence.
PRIORITY:
ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION
To improve
the availability of accessible transportation for people with disabilities.
GOAL
4 - HEALTH CARE
PRIORITY:
HEALTH CARE
To ensure
that people with disabilities have access to appropriate health
care services.
PRIORITY:
INFORMED DECISION MAKING
To ensure
that the rights of individuals with disabilities are protected through
informed individual and/or surrogate decision making.
GOAL 5 - EDUCATION
PRIORITY:
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
To promote
inclusive education for children with disabilities in least restrictive
environments consistent with and appropriate to their needs.
PRIORITY:
EARLY INTERVENTION
To ensure
that families and children eligible for New Jersey's Early Intervention
Program have access to and receive early intervention services.
PRIORITY:
BULLYING
To ensure
that children with disabilities do not experience bullying in educational
settings.
PRIORITY:
CHILDREN IN JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
To ensure
that children with disabilities involved in the Juvenile Justice
system receive educational services consistent with federal and
state laws.
GOAL
6 - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
PRIORITY:
STATE LEVEL ACTIVITIES
To conduct
state level activities to increase awareness and acquisition of
assistive technology.
PRIORITY:
STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
To conduct
statewide leadership activities to increase awareness and enhance
the use of assistive technology.
PRIORITY:
COMMUNITY CHOICE FUND
To facilitate
the discharge of people with disabilities and elderly residents
of nursing homes to the community through access to assistive technology
devices and services.
PRIORITY:
ADVOCACY
To increase
access to assistive technology through individual advocacy and legal
representation.
GOAL 7 - WORK
& VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
PRIORITY:
REHABILITATION SERVICES
To ensure
that people with disabilities receive services on a timely basis
consistent with the Rehabilitation Act.
PRIORITY:
WORK-RELATED OVERPAYMENTS
To assist
beneficiaries of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security
Income who receive notices of work-related overpayments to contest
disputed overpayment claims and obtain waivers of repayment as appropriate.
PRIORITY:
TICKET TO WORK AND WORK INCENTIVES
To assist
beneficiaries of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security
Income to remove barriers to employment.
GOAL 8 - CONSUMER
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
PRIORITY:
UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
To increase
services to historically underserved urban, rural and minority persons
with disabilities.
PRIORITY:
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
To promote
the education of consumers and their families regarding disability
rights and issues.
PRIORITY:
SELF-ADVOCACY
To promote
consumer participation in self-advocacy and rights education and
training.
PRIORITY:
PUBLIC AWARENESS
To increase
general awareness of New Jersey's P&A and its mission.
PRIORITY:
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
To provide
information and referral services for people with disabilities in
New Jersey.
GOAL 9 - QUALITY
ASSURANCE
PRIORITY:
CLIENT SATISFACTION
To develop
and maintain activities promoting assessment of client satisfaction.
PRIORITY:
CULTURALLY COMPETENT SERVICES
To ensure
that DRNJ provides culturally competent services.
PRIORITY:
CLIENT GRIEVANCE
To ensure
that DRNJ's clients receive information regarding DRNJ's procedural
protections.
