September 12, 2024 | Issue 63

The world premier of NDRN's documentary Accessing Democracy

The National Disability Right's Network (NDRN) announces the debut of their documentary Accessing Democracy on Thursday, October 10th at 3pm EST. Watch the trailer below:

Accessing Democracy follows Monica Wiley, an NDRN staff member, as she travels the East Coast ahead of the 2024 general election, interviewing fellow voters with disabilities. Monica asks them about the barriers they face, from accessing the everyday conveniences that non-disabled people take as a given, to the inability to receive the services they need to work and be a part of the community.

This short film explores how politicians have left behind one of the largest minority groups in the United States, and what disabled voters want from their next commander in chief. Accessing Democracy is the directorial debut of NDRN’s Senior Digital Communications Specialist, Jack Rosen. This project was done in partnership with Disability Rights New York.

Be among the first to see the trailer and register for the online world premiere!

New Medicaid Webinars For September

New Jersey FamilyCare 1115 Waiver Updates: Sept. 24th, 7pm

The New Jersey FamilyCare 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration (1115 Waiver) provides Medicaid coverage to individuals with disabilities who might not otherwise be eligible for traditional Medicaid. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the 1115 Waiver provides the funding for the support services that the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Medicaid offers.

In 2023, CMS granted approval for the continuation of this waiver with some changes for five years. This webinar will discuss some of the key changes in the 1115 Waiver, the implementation status of the changes, and how the changes will impact individuals with disabilities. Specifically, this webinar will discuss the changes to eligibility for the Children’s Support Program, the changes to eligibility for the Supports and Community Care program for 18-21 year olds, and the new housing and nutrition supports program.

This webinar is intended for individuals with I/DD, and their families, and parents of youth with disabilities.

NJ WorkAbility Updates and Implementation: Sept. 27th. 2pm

If you have questions about NJ Workability and if it could be an option for you because you work full-time or part-time, this webinar could be right for you. Our Employment Team attorneys and advocate will provide an update about the expansion of NJ Workability Medicaid eligibility and the implementation of program changes, including the premium structure now applied. They will also be sharing tips and tricks for applying for the Medicaid program and what you need to know!

What is WorkAbility?

NJ WorkAbility, also known as a Medicaid Buy-in, is a Medicaid program that offers individuals with disabilities who are employed either full-time or part-time and whose income would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid, the opportunity to receive full Medicaid coverage.

View These Events and More

October 10th...A Night To Remember!

Tickets Are Available for the 30th Anniversary

Celebration at the Boathouse on Mercer Lake

Order Your Tickets Here

Disability Rights NJ will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a special celebration honoring the history of New Jersey’s Protection and Advocacy system for people with disabilities and the dedicated, passionate staff and volunteers who have contributed to our success throughout the years, helping to shape the organization into what it is today.

A portion of the evening will be dedicated to our distinguished honorees of the Disability Rights Impact Awards, named for and honoring exceptional leaders and advocates who exemplify our values and their outstanding contributions to advance our mission, empowering people with disabilities to live inclusive, productive, and meaningful lives.

The 2024 Honorees and Awards are:

Sarah W. Mitchell Exceptional Staff Award

Recipient: Maritza Williams – Director of Intake and Self-Advocacy

Named for our founder and first executive director of Disability Rights NJ, Sarah W. Mitchell, honoring a staff member who has consistently demonstrated excellence, commitment, passion, and loyalty to the work of the Protection and Advocacy system.

Joseph B. Young Excellence in Legal Advocacy

Recipient: Ryann Siclari – Attorney at Porzio Bromberg & Newman

Named for our second Executive Director, Joseph B. Young, honoring an individual who demonstrates excellence in legal advocacy to advance the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities.

Barbara H. Coppens Advancing Olmstead Award

Recipient: Nancy Feldman – Founder of the Youth Justice Project

Named for our esteemed staff member, Barbara H. Coppens, who embodies self-determination, advocacy, and living her best life, honoring an advocate or attorney who has dedicated their career to the principles enshrined in the Olmstead decision – inclusion in the most integrated setting with services and supports that maximize integration into all facets of community life.

The celebration will be held at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, beginning with a cocktail hour at 5:30pm, dinner buffet, speakers, awards, and silent auction. The event will conclude by 9pm.

We hope you will join us and share in the celebration! For more details about the celebration, our honorees, sponsorship opportunities, and silent auction information visit our website event page.

30th Anniversary Event Page

New Jersey Assistive Technology & Community Living Summit

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center at Disability Rights New Jersey is proud to announce our 8th annual New Jersey Assistive Technology Summit.

Join us for the 8th Annual Assistive Technology Statewide Conference.This year the ATAC team has organized a day of learning along with our parent organization, Disability Rights New Jersey.

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 8:30am - 3:30pm Eastern Time

Location: The Conference Center at Mercer, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550

This event brings together AT and community living professionals, individuals with disabilities and their family members, and representatives from state agencies to share ideas and strategies to increase independence. A day of learning for only $39.

Sessions will include: AT supports for the classroom, workplace accommodations, transition services / strategies, augmentative and alternative communication, smart home technology….. and much more! Get your tickets, today!

Download and Share our flyer

2024 AT & Community Living Summit Website

Events & Opportunities From Our Partners

Adventures Without Barriers

This September and October. Pinelands Preservation Alliance's Access Nature Initiative and Pinelands Adventures have created inclusive accessibility trips to be held at nature sites within Burlington and Ocean Counties. Adventures without Barriers are open to the general public with or without mobility concerns, however they are geared toward individuals who enjoy the outdoors, but due to mobility concerns aren't able to access nature sites. There are possibilities for the expense of the program to be waived if individuals inquire about it.

We have seven rugged terrain wheelchairs available for loan for these programs. The intended routes have been scouted for their accessibility. More details about these opportunities can be found on their website:

Pinelands Adventures Trips

HOW WE HELP

Disability Rights New Jersey, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to advancing and protecting the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities.

We aggressively investigate reports of abuse and neglect wherever a person with a disability may be receiving services.

We thoroughly monitor facilities and community-based programs to ensure that people living in those facilities and using those services are free from abuse and neglect, and that their rights are not violated.

We provide legal representation, without charge, to people with disabilities in cases that fall within our priority setting process.

We are dedicated to providing education, training, and technical assistance to people with disabilities, their families and advocates, the agencies that service them, and policy makers among others.

We provide state-of-the-art access to information and advice about assistive technology.

Read Our Story

Disability Rights NJ is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services - Center for Mental Health Services; Administration for Community Living: Administration on Disabilities; Center for Integrated Programs; U.S. Department of Education: Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Social Security Administration

DISABILITY RIGHTS New Jersey | disabilityrightsnj.org

210 South Broad Street, Third Floor

Trenton, New Jersey 08608

1.800.922.7233 (in NJ only) 1.609.292.9742 (Voice)

1.609.777.0187 (Fax) Dial 711 for Relay Operator