July 26, 2023 | Issue 89 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

NJ Resources: Now More Accessible Than Ever and Easier to Use!

The NJ Department of Human Services (the NJ DHS), Division of Disability Services (DDS) is proud to announce the release of their newly reformatted resource directory, NJ Resources. The new look was developed with a focus on enhanced accessibility. You’ll notice key features like clickable links and redirects, convenient bookmarks to aide in navigation, and alternative text to name a few.

In this guide, families can find information on available food, income or employment assistance programs; caregivers can find information on support programs and services to assist them with their loved ones; and individuals with disabilities can find information on services like in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, personal care assistance, education, and more.

Also, instead of updating this useful guide only once per year, they have made it a living document by committing to updating the web version as changes occur. Check out the latest edition by clicking this link …and don’t forget to forward this message to friends and family who may not be familiar with this useful guide.

Resources

Celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Today

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law; this landmark civil rights law affirmed the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of disability. The ADA prohibits discrimination by local and state governments, provides standards for privately owned businesses and commercial facilities, stands against discrimination in the workplace, and ensures equal access to healthcare, social services, transportation, and telecommunications.

The ADA National Network's #ADA33 Toolkit has a variety of resources to help you celebrate including sample social media content, factsheets, trainings, and archived podcasts. Funded by ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), the ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the ADA in order to support the mission to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.”

Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, Protecting Youth Mental Health brings attention to the factors that shape young people’s mental health and the steps individuals and organizations can take to support the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults.

It provides audience-specific guidance on strengthening young people’s resilience, supporting their families and communities, and mitigating the pandemic’s mental health impacts.

Click here to access the advisory and for more information and resources.

Upcoming Events

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.

Highlighted Event This Week

Reminder:

Special Education Series

Tomorrow!

Thursday, July 27th,

9:30AM – 2:30pm ET

In Person

Offered in English and Spanish

This one day In Person training will provide you the following information and resources to help navigate the special education process:

Basic Rights: An introduction to rights and responsibilities as parents of children with disabilities
Key Components of the IEP: A review of the essential components of an Individualized Education Plan.
From Measurable Goals to Making Progress: Strategies to create IEPs with measurable annual goals as well as the required information regarding student progress.

Information for the Venue:

When: July 27, 2023
Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm
Where: Lakeside Middle School, 2 Sharp Street, Millville, NJ. 08332

Presented by: Tara Szymanek from SPAN.

More Information: Contact Tara Szymanek at tszymanek@spanadvocacy.org

To register, click here.

See all of SPAN's upcoming events with details and registration links here

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Adaptive Sports

Read our latest youth blog post, “Adaptive Sports,” to learn about inspiring moments from the world-renowned Paralympics event to see the incredible feats of individuals with physical disabilities in sports.

Click Here