New
Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
New Jersey's
designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities
Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities
| |
New
Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
New Jersey's
designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities |
|
Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities |
|
|
|
 |
Statewide Advocates Applaud Signing of Legislation Supporting Special Education Students
(North Brunswick, NJ) – The Arc of New Jersey and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network join New Jersey’s students receiving special education services and their families in thanking Governor Jon Corzine for signing S.442 into law today. This important piece of legislation, named “Alicia’s Law” is effective immediately and will make an enormous difference in the lives of high school students in special education, for some within the next few days.
A student in special education may need to remain in high school beyond their fourth year. This new law will allow these students to participate in commencement ceremonies at their fourth year alongside the peers with whom they have advanced through school, and to receive certificates of attendance. This is great news for our students, many of whom would like to participate with their peers in their graduation exercises but have not always been allowed to do so.The Arc of New Jersey and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network firmly believe that this symbolic event is integral to the inclusion of students with disabilities; it also sets the stage for the transition into adulthood and community living. Therefore, we fervently thank the sponsors of the legislation and the entire legislature for their commitment to students in special education as they moved this bill forward.
Graduation with one’s peers is a treasured right of passage. Thank you to Governor Corzine and the New Jersey legislature for making this important event a reality in the lives of students in special education.
Tuckerton Resident Awarded Internship
Trenton, NJ, April 14, 2008 - Adam R. West, a recent graduate of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and resident of Tuckerton, has been selected for an internship with New Jersey Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A), an independent, consumer-directed non-profit organization that serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities. NJP&A provides information and referral and a broad range of advocacy services, including legal representation in numerous cases in state and federal courts.
At NJP&A, Mr. West provides research in support of NJP&A programs. Issues range from emergency preparedness for people with disabilities to allegations of abuse and neglect of residents of state institutions.
With plans to attend the New England School of Law in the fall of 2008, Mr. West most recently interned in Senator Robert Menendez's Southern New Jersey office providing constituent services. He also interned at Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations, a Washington, DC lobbying firm. Throughout college, he volunteered with Beachwheels Inc. and AbleWest Inc.-organizations that promote accessible recreational activities at the New Jersey shore community for people with disabilities.
Mr. West received a Presidential scholarship during his fours years at Richard Stockton. He majored in political science and was a Banner Carrier for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Program at graduation.
NJP&A Appoints Harold Aguilar to Its Governing Board
Trenton, NJ- Sarah W. Mitchell, executive director/president of New Jersey Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A) announced the appointment of Harold Aguilar to the NJP&A Governing Board.
Mr. Aguilar, who lives with paralysis, has an active history of working on behalf of people with disabilities. A resident of Roselle, NJ, Mr. Aguilar is an associate information specialist with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center, where he assists people with paralysis live healthily and productively with their limitations and guides them to the resources they need.
As a mentor for people living with paralysis, Mr. Aguilar presents his life story to patients at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. On occasion, he also volunteers for the "Think First" program, which brings awareness and education to school children on being alert to potentially dangerous situations that may lead to catastrophic injuries.
A graduate of New Jersey City University with a degree in media arts, Mr. Aguilar has a background in communications and experience working in the television industry and advertising.
Welcoming Mr. Aguilar to the Board, Ms. Mitchell commented, "Knowing first hand the issues people with disabilities face daily, Harold brings to the Board a unique view on where society can improve equal access to a better quality of life for all of those in society regardless of race, gender, religion, or disability."
NJP&A serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities providing information and referral and a broad range of advocacy services, including legal representation in numerous cases in state and federal courts. NJP&A's seventeen-member Governing Board ensures that the organization's activities focus on areas most important to consumers with disabilities and their families. The Board also ensures that protection and advocacy services are provided to traditionally underserved and unserved populations.
NJP&A Appoints Four Disability Rights Activists to Its Governing Board
Trenton, NJ - January 15, 2008 - Sarah W. Mitchell, executive director/president of New Jersey Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A) announced the appointment of four New Jerseyans to its Governing Board. As individuals with disabilities or family members, these individuals have an active history of working on behalf of people with disabilities. NJP&A serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities providing information and referral and a broad range of advocacy services, including legal representation in numerous cases in state and federal courts.
The new Board members are:
Sharol A. Lewis, MD, a resident of Lebanon, NJ, is medical director of Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Dr. Lewis is a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist with a diverse background as a provider, a health policy consultant, and a health systems partner focused on increasing access to healthcare and improving health outcomes.
Through her Governor's appointment to the NJ State Public Health Council and the State Health Planning Board, Dr. Lewis maintains an active involvement in state health policy. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Northern NJ Maternal Child Health Consortium, the local Department of Human Services Mental Health Board, and the local Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns.
Andrew T. McGeady, of Jackson, NJ, works for Home Depot in Howell and Cosimo's Pizza in Freehold. He also attends Ocean County College. Mr. McGeady is an active volunteer with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Howell, managing the church's website. As a speaker on the topic of disabilities, Mr. McGeady has presented at Allies, Inc.'s National Transition Conferences and at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service.
Holly E. Wetscher, a resident of Westfield, NJ, is a recognized activist on behalf of people with disabilities. Ms. Wetscher is a rehabilitation counselor by profession and currently is a human resources associate with the Cerebral Palsy League in Cranford, NJ. She serves on the Executive Committee of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, is chairperson of the NJ Women with Disabilities Healthcare Task Force, acting chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Alliance for Disabled in Action, Inc., and a member of the Union County Advisory Board on the Disabled. Ms. Wetscher has been a past recipient of Union County's Woman of Excellence Award in recognition of her work in the area of health care.
Kathleen F. Wood resides in Bayonne, NJ, and is director of the Hudson Branch Office of the independent living center Heightened Independence and Progress in Hackensack. Ms. Wood has a long record of working on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition to her NJP&A appointment, she serves as vice-chair of the NJ Statewide Independent Living Council. She also is vice-chair of the NJ Association of Centers for Independent Living and chair of the Hudson County Human Services Advisory Council. Many other governmental and private organizations benefit from Ms. Wood's expertise, including the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council of the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the NJ Network of Organizations for Blind and Visually Impaired, and Hudson County Visiting Homemakers Professional Advisory Board.
NJP&A's seventeen-member Governing Board ensures that the organization's activities focus on areas most important to consumers with disabilities and their families. The Board also ensures that protection and advocacy services are provided to traditionally underserved and unserved populations.
Back In Action Website Launched -
Trenton, NJ, November 13, 2007 - People with disabilities who want to buy, sell, trade or donate assistive equipment that can enhance daily lives now have access to an Internet site that enables them to exchange their useful devices.
New Jersey Protection & Advocacy, Inc.’s (NJP&A) Assistive Technology Advocacy Center has launched Back In Action http://backinaction.njpanda.org. The interactive website provides a way for New Jersey residents to exchange devices, such as walkers, wheelchairs, power scooters, text telephones, adaptive computer software, and even transport vans. Such devices can enable individuals with a disability to more fully participate in their communities, including at work, in school, and within their home environment.
“Our site is designed to put assistive technology (AT) equipment back into the hands of someone who can benefit from it,” explains NJP&A program director, Curtis Edmonds. “Let’s say ‘Jeff’ in Essex County had a skiing accident last year. He recovered and now his crutches are collecting dust in his basement. Maybe ‘Alice’ in Cape May has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and needs a pair of crutches, but her health insurance won’t pay for durable medical equipment. If Jeff lists his crutches on the Back In Action website, he can help Alice get the AT equipment she needs.”
“Spreading the word about this site is crucial,” says Edmonds. "Approximately 1.9 million New Jersey residents have some sort of disability and many of these individuals use AT to help in their daily activities. Since the website launched, 26 people have obtained devices through Back In Action. Yet we feel that is just the tip of the iceberg. Many more people need AT and perhaps as many people have unused equipment that can be put to good use to help others gain greater independence.”
Kathy Wood, director of the Hudson Branch of Heightened Independence and Progress, Inc., concurs: “Back In Action may be the only game in town for those who need AT but lack the funding. Many individuals with disabilities who are not in vocational rehabilitation face a major challenge in obtaining AT devices. On the other hand, many AT equipment purchases end up unused because they don’t meet the purchaser’s need or the disability was temporary. Back In Action is the means for getting AT off the shelf and into the hands of people who need it.”
At present, over 100 items are listed on the website. About half of the items are available for $100 or less, with 20 percent being offered at no charge, including shower chairs, amplified telephones, and hospital beds.
Anyone can post free classified ads through Back In Action with a description and/or picture of the item for sale. Additionally, individuals may search for needed items and post want ads or e-mail alerts when a necessary item is not listed.Residents without Internet access can visit a local library for assistance with accessing Back In Action online. For a print copy or additional assistance, contact NJP&A’s Assistive Technology Advocacy Center at 1-800-922-7233 (in NJ), 609-292-9742, 609-633-7106 (TTY) or use the NJ Relay 711.
For additional information about Back In Action, please e-mail the program at Backinaction@njpanda.org or visit the website http://backinaction.njpanda.orgFor additional information, contact:
Curtis Edmonds
Telephone: 609-292-9742
E-mail: cedmonds@njpanda.org
Fax: 609-777-0187
Website: www.njpanda.orgRutgers Student Awarded Internship
Trenton, NJ - December 4, 2007 - Bethany LaLonde, a Rutgers University graduate student, has been selected for a one-year internship with New Jersey Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A), an independent, consumer-directed non-profit organization that serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities. NJP&A provides information and referral and a broad range of advocacy services, including legal representation in numerous cases in state and federal courts.
At NJP&A, Ms. LaLonde assists with administrative management, including public relations and staffing. She participates on the institutional monitoring team, reviewing cases of abuse and neglect at state institutions. In addition, she has accountability for several advocacy cases on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ms. LaLonde is studying nonprofit and public management at the Rutgers School of Social Work in New Brunswick, NJ, achieving a 4.00 grade point average. In addition to her classes and NJP&A internship, Ms. LaLonde runs weekly psychoeducational workshops through Rutgers' Counseling and Psychological Services. The workshops help students to cope with anxiety and depression and learn relaxation techniques.
Earlier this year, Ms. LaLonde received the Outstanding Student Award from the National Organization of Human Services. She is a peer advocate with NAMI-Rutgers, the campus affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and an active member of both Alpha Delta Omega (Human Services Honor Society) and Alpha Chi Tau.
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