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Join SPAN's Family Day Picnic for Our NJ Deaf Mentor Program
Saturday, April 25, 2026
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Thompson Park
Monroe, Twp, NJ
SPAN's NJ Deaf Mentor Program is a free program for families who have a child birth to 3 years old with hearing loss.
Join us for a fun, welcoming, and family-centered event designed for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing! SPAN’s NJ Deaf Mentor Program Family Day brings families together to connect, learn, and celebrate language and Deaf culture in an engaging and supportive environment.
Enjoy interactive activities, opportunities to meet and learn from Deaf Mentors, and time to build meaningful connections with other families. Discover resources, strengthen communication skills, and celebrate the power of early language and community. Food and interpreters will be provided. Find us at pavilion 1A.
Come connect, learn, and celebrate together!
To register, click here.
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Paul Aronsohn, Former Disability Ombudsman, Is Kim’s New State Director
Paul Aronsohn, a disability rights advocate who has held roles in local, state, and federal government, is N.J. Senator Andy Kim’s new state director.
In the early days of former Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, Aronsohn was named as New Jersey’s first-ever Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, a role focused on helping New Jerseyans with disabilities access services and support.
Aronsohn replaces Sue Altman, who stepped down from the state director position after just over a year in order to run for an open New Jersey House seat. His new role makes him the highest-ranking staffer in Kim’s state office, and his background dovetails with Kim’s recent focus on caregiving.
To read more about Aronsohn's appointment, click here.
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March 26 is Purple Day Supporting Epilepsy Awareness Around the World
Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness. Last year, people in more than 85 countries on all continents participated in Purple Day! Canada is the only country in the world who officially recognizes March 26th as Purple Day through the Purple Day Act implemented on June 28, 2012.
To learn more, spread the word, and support Purple Day in your community, click here.
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Making Medical Procedures Easier to Understand for People with Autism
Boston Medical Center has an autism friendly initiative to make medical procedures easier which you can access by clicking here. A great resource for neurodiverse children is their medical social stories. These include getting a shot, MRIs, Xrays, CT scans, riding in an ambulance, getting an IV, and more. Social stories can help prepare children who are neurodiverse by letting them know what to expect when they have an appointment coming up. This helps the child, family, and the medical providers. Social stories for medical procedures can be found by clicking here.
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Partners in Education: Transition Mini-Conference
Saturday, April 11, 2026
8:00am - 12:00pm
Essex County College
Morton A Siegler Lecture Hall
303 University Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(In-Person)
This FREE conference is for youth and their parents/caregivers to learn about the transition to adult life, adult services, self-advocacy, assistive technology, and what a center for independent living is and the services it provides.
Information and resources provided by SPAN Parent Advocacy Network & DAWN Center for Independent Living.
- Youth Track: An interactive day of building self-advocacy skills for ages 14-21.
- Family/Caregiver Track: Understanding the IEP Transition Plan to adult life.
Register for the conference by clicking here.
Breakfast will be provided! Free parking! Accessible to public transportation!
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From High School to Life: Designing Transition IEPs That Reflect Real Futures
Monday, April 27, 2026
2:00 PM ET
Online
What if the last day of high school looked more like the life a student wants to live next? This 60-minute webinar, hosted by the RAISE Center in collaboration with Think College and NTACT:C, explores how transition-focused IEPs can be designed to support meaningful post-school outcomes.
Presenters will highlight strategies for aligning IEP goals, services, and planning with real-world experiences—such as employment, education, community engagement, and independent living—so that transition planning truly prepares students for life beyond graduation.
Presented by Dr. Mindy Lingo, Think College.
For more details and to register, click here.
ASL and Spanish interpretation will be offered.
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Upcoming Events
SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.
Highlighted Event This Week
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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA
April 14, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Online
This workshop focuses on the right to services and accommodations for students with disabilities and special health/emotional needs who may not be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for special education.
To register, click here.
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Building Self-Confidence: Believing in Yourself from Elevatus Training
Check out our latest youth blog post, "Building Self-Confidence: Believing in Yourself from Elevatus Training," to learn practical ways to boost your self-confidence, understand your strengths, and take steps toward handling challenges with courage and clarity, all from our friends at Elevatus Training.
To read the post, click here.
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