What's New Page

Individuals may now register to testify before the State Board of Education Hearing on June 5th at 2 pm. While special education is not an item on the agenda, it is open topic and individuals may speak about any issue of concern. However, only those who register in advance may testify. Registration ends on May 31st at noon. http://education.state.nj.us/sboe/reg.php

In April, DRNJ was acknowledged by the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP at their eighth annual pro bono awards reception. DRNJ was recognized with two separate awards for work providing free legal services to individuals with limited resources.

On April 29, DRNJ was selected by the National Disability Rights Network to be a Parent Center Protection and Advocacy Agency. Only three P & A agencies throughout the United States were accorded this honor. DRNJ will be providing technical assistance to develop educational resources for NDRN’s Parent Center Network.

On May 3, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey will honor Mary Ciccone, Managing Attorney for Disability Rights New Jersey, at their Hurricane Heroes Cocktail Reception & Awards Ceremony. Mary, along with other individuals and organizations, worked tirelessly to ensure that New Jersey voters could participate in the 2012 General Election in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

On May 11, Advancing Opportunities will honor DRNJ at their Spring Gala. DRNJ is being honored for its outstanding work advancing the independence of children and adults with all types of disabilities. View the event page at: http://www.cpofnj.org/events

University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey Research Study

Are you a college student and experiencing difficulties with concentration, attention, time management and/or organization? Students ages 18-64 are invited to participate in a research study designed to enhance academic performance by developing specialized skills for school. Students will be provided with free individualized feedback on areas that affect academic performance, such as memory and attention.

For more information, please call the confidential line at 1-855-674-7315 or student-research@UMDNJ.edu

Delta Air Lines is interested in learning about the travel experiences of passengers with disabilities with the goal of improving and adapting services. We invite you to complete a brief (5-10 minute) anonymous online survey about the travel experiences of yourself or those closest to you. Your participation in this survey is voluntary; we appreciate your input.

If you have any questions, please contact David S. Martin at (404) 715-1478 or David.S.Martin@delta.com

The 11th Annual Sprout Film Festiva will be presented at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Friday May 31st - Sunday June 2nd. The Festival will showcase over 50 films from 14 countries, including features, shorts, narratives and documentaries – all showcasing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as performers or subjects.

To see the complete festival line-up and to purchase tickets, visit: www.sproutfilmfestival.org

Strategies for Supporting Grief, Loss, and End of Life Issues Compiled from Strategy Planning Groups at the Boggs Center’s Grief, Loss, and End of Life Workshops

Click here for an updated listing, incorporating suggestions from The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental
Disabilities workshop held in Gloucester County. One of the key values in these discussion groups has been staff having the time to talk about questions or issues that are important to them, or situations they have faced, or think they might. A number of the suggestions involve training and planning ahead.

Governor Christie Announces Settlement of Olmstead Litigation During Budget Address

Governor Christie used the occasion of his budget address to announce a settlement in litigation brought by Disability Rights New Jersey involving moving individuals who no longer want to live in the state’s developmental centers and providing services to individuals in the community on the Division of Developmental Disabilities’ waiting list.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Public Policy Fellowship Program 2013-2014

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals and/or family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or persons with disabilities, particularly self-advocates who are currently working, advocating or volunteering in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Fellowship is to prepare emerging and seasoned leaders to assume leadership in the public policy arena nationally and in their home state. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how federal legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, as well as how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies.

A coalition of stakeholders that work with individuals with disabilities, including DRNJ, have joined voices to address the Education Transformation Task Force Final Report dated September 5, 2012. To access a copy of the coalition report click here and to access a copy of the response click here.

BIANJ Launches "True Stories of a Concussion" Video Series

To help address and prevent sports concussions in young people, The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey created a video series with funding from Partners for Health Foundation entitled True Stories of a Concussion. Aimed at student athletes, parents, and coaches, the series includes personal testimonies from New Jersey student athletes and is intended to help you:
• Understand a concussion and the potential consequences of this injury
• Recognize concussion signs and symptoms and how to respond
• Learn about the steps for returning to activity (play and school) after a concussion

To view the videos, go to http://bianj.org/ or http://www.sportsconcussion.com/links/stories.htm

DRNJ Submits Comments Before State Board of Education

DRNJ submitted comments during the State Board of Education's open comment session.Click here to access a copy.

Information about New Social Security Services (My Social Security)

The Social Security Administration has expanded the services available with a My Social Security account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can now access their benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly using their online account. Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address and start or change direct deposit information online. For more information, go to http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

Wireless RERC Survey

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) is asking for individuals to take its new online survey on emergency communications. The survey questions address emergency services, public alerts and warnings, and social media use during emergencies.The Wireless RERC conducted this survey once before, almost two years ago. Because technology is changing so rapidly and new government rules are being implemented, RERC think it's the right time to conduct the survey again. The data will be of great interest to regulatory authorities and other professionals working to improve emergency response and disaster relief for people with disabilities.

Take the Survey on Emergency Communications and People with Disabilities

FEMA - Facts for Older Adults on Registering for Disaster Assistance

If you had losses because of Hurricane Sandy you are encouraged to register for disaster assistance. You may be eligible for grants or assistance programs from federal, state, local or voluntary agencies. To view the entire notice, go to click here

FEMA Letter For Individuals Displaced From Their Homes After Hurricane Sandy

Nearly six weeks after Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, survivors have a chance to reconsider a decision they made in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Thousands of New Jersey survivors answered “will not relocate” when FEMA housing inspectors asked what they planned to do while repairs are being made on their homes or apartments. That response made them ineligible for FEMA temporary housing assistance. To view the entire notice, go to click here

Article About Proposed Regulations for Veterans with TBI

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/us/benefit-rules-eased-for-veterans-with-brain-injuries.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1354885480-1a5u73F7AVqaAq/lUUZihw

Presidential Proclamation - International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2012

President Barack Obama proclaimed December 3, 2012 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He called for all Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. To view the proclamation, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/12/03/presidential-proclamation-international-day-persons-disabilities-2012

AAPD Summer Internship Program

AAPD is pleased to announce that they are now accepting applications for the 2013 Summer Internship Program. If you are currently an undergraduate, graduate, or recent graduate and self-identify as a person with any type of disability, you are eligible to apply. AAPD's Summer Internship Program is a ten-week experience offering participants an opportunity to work in either the public or private sector. Interns receive a stipend, travel to and from Washington DC, and accessible housing. Please feel free to contact internship@aapd.com with questions.

The application is available on the AAPD website: http://www.aapd.com/applicants/summer-internship-applicants.html

Arc Lifetime Stories Survey

As Congress reconvenes for a post-election session where potential changes or cuts to programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security may be put on the table, the Arc needs your help to put a face on the importance of these programs by sharing lifeline stories about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).The Arc’s national office needs stories from self-advocates, parents and other family members, chapters of The Arc, other service providers, and friends. We have to put a face on programs like Medicaid, SSI and Social Security in order to convince Congress to protect these programs from devastating cuts during budget negotiations. Please share this survey with your members, the families you serve, and other organizations in your community so that we can gather as many stories as possible, and quickly, so that The Arc can help protect these lifeline programs. http://fs16.formsite.com/u024508129ncearc/form68/index.html

NJ211 Produces Guide

NJ 211 has produced its Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery Guide available at http://www.nj211.org/images/HurricaneSandy/NJ211HurricaneSandyResourceGuide.pdf

Neighbours, Inc. Reaching Out to Assist Individuals with Special Meal Requirements.

Jennifer Brown, Support Coordinator of Neighbours, Inc. is reaching out to families displaced by the storm who need gluten free, casein free, or soy free meals. If you are in a shelter or in a situation that makes it hard to cook and could use a meal, please contact Jennifer Brown at jenn.bubb.brown@gmail.com or via text at 908 303 8708. She is also looking for food donations and volunteers, as well as, a large kitchen to be able to make meals.

ERC Releases Report of Discriminatory Treatment Against Individuals Who Use Guide Dog

The Equal Rights Center, in collaboration with the American Council for the Blind, has just released a new testing-based report, which documented a 31% rate of discriminatory treatment against blind or visually impaired individuals who use a guide dog while seeking rental housing in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. You can download a the full report at our website: http://www.equalrightscenter.org/disability

Supportive Housing Association of NJ Resource Pages for Individuals Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Supportive Housing Association of NJ has added two resource pages to their website in order to serve member organizations, families and individuals affected by the storm. A Sandy Emergency Housing Needs And Vacancies page where they will post both emergency housing needs and vacancies in order to match people in need with available housing. Please email listings to gail.levinson@shanj.org. Please include a short description, county/community, contact name, phone and email.

For more information, go to http://www.shanj.org/resources/sandy-housing-needs

Diabetes Awareness Materials for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Launched in 2006 with funding from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, The Arc of New Jersey’s Diabetes Awareness and Education Project has produced materials intended to educate individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers regarding important steps that can be taken toward the prevention and control of Diabetes, including changes in diet and exercise habits and regular monitoring by a health care professional. They have recently updated and reprinted these FREE materials. The combination English/Spanish Diabetes booklet is available now and an educational DVD, which includes a Spanish-language option, will be available before the end of August. To order the materials, contact Helen Rivera at hrivera@arcnj.org, or by phone at 732-246-2525, ext. 35 or go to http://www.mainstreamingmedicalcare.org ).

Task Force Report

The Task Force on the closure of state developmental centers submitted its final report to Governor Christie and the New Jersey Legislature on August 1, 2012. Click here to access the report.

DRNJ Signs Letter Supporting Keeping All Students Safe Act

Disability Rights New Jersey and over 150 national, state and local organizations show support for Keeping All Students Safe Act bills, H.R. 1381 and S.2020. These bills will protect schoolchildren from dangerous restraint and seclusion. To access a copy of the letters to the Senate, House Chair and Ranking Members, click here

DHS and DCF Message Regarding Children with Developmental Disabilities

Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, Dawn Apgar, and the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, Robert Sabreen, recently released a message regarding the changes that become effective July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 in the service delivery for youth under age 21, currently served by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). To access a copy of the message, click here.

FCC Launches Two Major Accessibility Initiatives

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is launching two new accessibility programs designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have access to emerging communications and television technologies. Both programs are required under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), signed into law by President Obama on October 8, 2010. Continue reading about the FCC's announcements at the following link: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/video-description

Justice Department Obtains Landmark Settlement to Resolve Disability-Based Housing Discrimination Lawsuit

The Justice Department recently announced its largest-ever disability-based housing discrimination settlement fund to resolve allegations that JPI Construction L.P. and six other JPI entities (collectively “JPI”) based in Irving, Texas, discriminated on the basis of disability in the design and construction of multifamily housing complexes throughout the United States. Continue reading about this Department of Justice settlement at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/June/12-crt-802.html

Report and Videos Released by DRW and NDRN

Disability Rights Washington (DRW) and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) released "Devaluing People with Disabilities: Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights". The report comes five years after media accounts surfaced of a Seattle girl who, when six years’ old, was kept permanently small through a set of procedures now commonly called the “Ashley Treatment.” The procedure was later found to have violated her legal rights. To access the full report, click this link .

Also, two videos have been released in conjunction with the Ashley Report Ashley’s Rights: Citizens Speak Out and NDRN’s Curt Decker on Ashley’s rights

DRNJ Submits Comments

DRNJ submitted comments opposing proposed changes to eligibility for General Assistance through Work First New Jersey. Click here to access a copy.

DRNJ Testifies Before Task Force

On April 2, 2012, Joe Young, Executive Director for DRNJ, testified before the Task Force on the Closure of State Developmental Centers. Click link to access a copy of the Vineland Closure Testimony.

DRNJ Submits Comments to DDD

On March 2, 2012, DRNJ submitted comments to the Division of Developmental Disabilities regarding proposed regulations for Family Support and the Community Care Waiver Waiting List.

Click link to access a copy of the Family Support Comments.

Click link to access a copy of the Community Care Waiver Waiting List Comment.

Implementing Section 508: Improving Access to Government Information and Data for Persons with Disabilities