Tag: The Arc of New Jersey
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Individuals with disabilities should be included in the workforce
Before becoming the director of Project HIRE, The Arc of New Jersey’s support employment program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I worked for the organization as a job coach. Employment training specialists, or job coaches, assist people with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining independent, competitive employment through practical on-the-job task training and preparation…
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Sweeney fought to protect funding for those with disabilities
The state budget battle took many twists and turns this year, but we would be remiss not to acknowledge the final funding bill and the members of the Legislature who fought tirelessly on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Specifically, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of Senate President Steve Sweeney…
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American Health Care Act will negatively affect persons with disabilities
The American Health Care Act (AHCA), which was recently passed by the House and will be voted on soon by the Senate, will have painful and irreversible impacts on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who rely on the Medicaid program. Although many people know that Medicaid covers the cost of medical expenses…
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Residents need to support those with special needs
This month, news media began reporting about a terrible incident in Chicago where a teenager with special needs was held captive and brutally beaten, all recorded on Facebook Live. As an organization that advocates and supports people with developmental disabilities, the NJ Statewide Self-Advocacy Network is heartbroken and appalled by this incident. Unfortunately, the victim’s…
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Continuing improvements still needed for persons with disabilities
As the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reached its 26th anniversary on July 26, we must of course celebrate this monumental achievement and the paths it opened up, both figuratively and literally, for people with disabilities living across the country. However, while celebration is certainly warranted, the anniversary of the ADA should…
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Film festival to debut films by people with disabilities
The Arc of New Jersey will hold the Sprout Touring Film Festival on June 4 at the Busch Campus Center of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The festival will feature two programs of short films by and about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Screenings will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are…