Your one stop shop for news and events going on in the disability community in New Jersey!

Pre-register now for our upcoming Webinars that cover the transition process into the adult system and understanding the DDD Budget.
To pre-register, click the links below! 
Educational Resources:
Department of Human Services - Education & Training
College Accessibility Series

Colleges and universities offer a wide range of services to ensure support to students with disabilities while providing certain basic disability access. However, the responsibility ultimately falls on the student to request the disability-related accommodations required. See the informative guides below developed by BestColleges.com to assist you in planning your post-secondary education.




Please direct any questions regarding specific trainings/educational programs to the hosting agency. 
 
College Guides for Students with Disabilities






Department of Human Services Education & Training Page https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds/hottopics/education/
Planning Resources:
What Special Education Parents need to Know that S3434 Has Been Signed

·      Did your child with disabilities turn 21 by June 30, 2021?
·      Did they miss out on vital transition services due to the pandemic?
·      Did your child graduate because they turned 21 during the 2020-2021 school year?

Not so fast…There is a new law in effect.
S3434 was signed by Governor Murphy on June 16, 2021. It allows students who turned 21 during the 2021-2022 to continue to receive special education, related services, and transition services through at least the 2021-2022 school year. These services must be provided to those students during the 2021-2022 school year when the Individualized Education Program Team (IEP) team, including the parent and adult student, determine that the student requires additional or compensatory special education and related services, including transition services. The student will not be eligible to receive services beyond June 30, 2022, unless provided for in the student’s IEP, or as ordered by a hearing offer, complaint investigation, or court of competent jurisdiction.
Because the bill was signed so late, your child has likely graduated. You can still seek services under the law.

Celebrating Disability Pride Month
Courtesy of Advocacy in Action
NJ Human Services Celebrates Disability Pride Month 2021

New Jersey has released a video celebrating Disability Pride Month as our country marks the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please watch as our Executive Director shares her message along with the Governor and other state leaders.

Home Health Care Service
Statewide
Alay Home Care
Community Based Supports * Individual Supports * Direct Support Professionals * Physical Therapy * Support Brokerage
Why Alay?
  • Quick & Easy Fillable Application
  • Using EVV Since 2020
  • Can train Staff to use EVV through Telephony or Mobile App
  • Starting Rate $17hr (Higher if Acuity)
  • OT Eligible
  • PTO
  • Comprehensive Health Insurance (70% Covered through Alay)
  • Vision
  • Dental
 
Have more questions?
Call/Text Christopher Gonzales - VP of Operations
Call / Text: 201-899-1066
Office: 201-899-4990
Website: alayhc.com
Health & Wellness:
State of New Jersey

For questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to you, call: 2-1-1.
For live text assistance, text: NJCOVID to 898-211.

NJ COVID-19 Updates

Do you have questions about when and where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, contact tracing, traveling to or from the State of New Jersey, or even finding a new job? The State of New Jersey offers up-to-date information, resources, and guidance at our COVID-19 Information Hub.
 
Due to increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and new data suggesting that the COVID-19 Delta variant is more transmissible among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, New Jersey is now strongly recommending that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear face masks in indoor settings when:
  • The space is crowded
  • There is close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated
  • The vaccine status of other individuals is unknown
  • Individuals that are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease are present Mask Up
NJ Department of Health
In-Home COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

The NJ Department of Health has begun accepting requests for in-home COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
If you are unable to leave home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or are the healthcare provider or family caregiver of someone who is homebound, you may request an in-home vaccination appointment by completing a form at: covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax 

For assistance completing the survey by phone, please call the NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-855-568-0545. 
 After you submit the completed form, the Department of Health will share information with a home health agency, local health department, or other vaccination providers and you will be contacted to schedule an in-home vaccination appointment.
You can read more about the program at this website: 
 
In order to receive protection as soon as possible, if you are able to safely attend a medical appointment outside the home, we encourage you to book an appointment at an open vaccination site if an opportunity occurs before an in-home appointment is made available to you.

Peri L. Nearon, MPA
Executive Director, Division of Disability Services

Contacts: NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-962-1253 or 1-800-222-1222. Email us at [email protected] with questions or requests for additional information.

Vaccines are available for FREE to everyone in New Jersey

Everyone 12 or older who lives, works, or studies in New Jersey can now get their COVID-19 vaccine. When we say everyone, we mean EVERYONE – even fans of the New England Patriots.
 
COVID-19 vaccines are FREE, and you can get vaccinated whether you have insurance or not and regardless of your documentation status.
 
Vaccine sites may request documentation, but you are not required to have it to receive the vaccine and you cannot be denied access to the vaccine for not having an ID.
 
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine is easy.
 
P.S. If you've decided to get one and just need to choose where to do it:
Know someone who needs to get vaccinated? Share this message with your friends and family.

Legislative:
Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities

State of New Jersey
NJ Legislative Disability Caucus Housing Roundtable Recording Now Available
The New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus serves as a bipartisan forum within the New Jersey Legislature for lawmakers and their staff to consider the impact on the disability community when shaping ALL public policies in the Garden State through increased awareness and a greater understanding of the complexities of the disabilities service system and issues affecting individuals with disabilities and their families
Passcode: A3^bsG5n
 
NJCDD Public Meeting
The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
NJCDD members quarterly on August 12, 2021 between 10:00 am -12:00 pm to discuss state and national issues impacting people with developmental disabilities and their families.
In these public meetings, members hear from projects funded by NJCDD. They also discuss best practices and policies needed to be an active and effective organization.
 
Public comments must be submitted to [email protected]
​by August 11, 2021.​ REGISTER HERE
Fun Things To Do:
End of Summer Beach Bash
 Cool Treats & Water * Come Wearing Your Best Beach Gear
Hosted by DJ Scott 

6:30 PM Friday, August 20, 2021
Mahwah Senior Center
475 Corporate Dr, Mahwah, NJ 07430
RSVP by August 17 to [email protected]
Access for All provides Mahwah and surrounding town‘s residents of every age (children, adults & seniors), a dedicated and community-focused commission to serve those with special needs, developmental disabilities, and physical access needs so that they can participate, to the fullest extent possible, in everyday activities in the Community.