Advocacy Matters: January 2025

January 2025

Let's look back at the advocacy activities that took place this month!

In need of virtual programming? Inquire about our virtual trainings, webinars, and events!

Take a look at our New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network Council pages and the current NJSSAN Priorities.

We host one brand new webinar each month and present replays of past content. Register for our weekly webinars each Tuesday and watch the recorded versions of our past webinars here.

We continue to host our interactive Zoom series, Healthy Lifestyles Project: Live! You can check out our past events below and register for upcoming sessions here.

Our weekly Brain Games session is held each Thursday at 1 PM! Watch archived videos here and join in LIVE every week on Zoom.

We continue to post all across our social media pages! You can find new videos every Monday, Wednesday and Friday about Health, Fitness and Nutrition!

We have a lot to say, so make sure to click

"View entire message" if it appears at the bottom of this newsletter. If you have been forwarded this message, you can subscribe here.

Virtual Programming

every day of the week!

Click the image above to download the planner, complete with live links to all of our programming! Email NJSAP@ArcNJ.org if you have any questions.

Struggling with technology? Maybe one of our tech tutorials can help. You can also contact us to set up a virtual training.

Looking for a training for your group? Check out our Training Portal for topics! We hosted 201 trainings this year for 5,606 self-advocates!

NJSAP & NJSSAN Update

We are holding monthly NJSSAN Council meetings virtually!

For information regarding your Council area, please click here.

Visit your council page to download calendars for 2025.

The New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (NJSSAN) is made up of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout the state. The NJSSAN is used as a means of supporting positive change on both a personal and social level. It consists of 5 Councils based on geographic location within the state.

You can read the current NJSSAN Priorities here.

Save The Date: The 19th Annual NJ Self-Advocacy Network Spring Luncheon

Each year, the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project and the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network host the annual Spring Into Action Awards Luncheon. A special event where Self-Advocates and Allies come together to network, discuss advocacy issues, and celebrate the achievements of Self-Advocates over the past year.

Stay tuned for registration details, and check out the Save the Date flyer below for more information.

Panel Discussion with NJSSAN Members

Join NJSSAN Members of February 28th, 2025 at 3 pm for a special panel discussion on council meetings, advocacy, and how to get involved!

Revolutionizing the Workforce: Harnessing AI for Customized Employment

NJ APSE is holding a presentation on February 5, 2025, at 10 a.m., on how AI is transforming employment services and creating new opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities. The presentation will include real-world examples of AI-driven solutions. Don’t miss this chance to explore the future of inclusive employment!

Trainings

If you are interested in hosting a training for your group, take a look at our available trainings list and send us a request through the form below.

Training Topics and Request Form

Take a look at the delicious recipe that we made with SCARC. The recipe can be found below if you'd like to give it a try! This month SCARC made Vegetable Barley Soup!

The Healthy Lifestyles Project (HLP) is a program of The Arc of New Jersey and receives funding through a grant awarded by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. The program aims to provide people with I/DD with functional education about the importance of healthy choices related to diet, exercise and stress management.

Let's give a big THANK YOU to The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey for making this programming possible!

We are now on our 11th grant cycle for the Healthy Lifestyles Project and we are greatly looking forward to continuing to help people with IDD live healthier lives!

Empowered

Join us each Tuesday from January through April for beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons adventures! Work together as powerful heroes to overcome challenges, outwit foes, and save the day.

When: Tuesdays 11 AM - 12 PM

Max Players: 8 per adventure

Choose a character type with the sheets provided.

All rules will be explained, and our expert Dungeon Masters will guide the game. Registration is required and please commit to attending both sessions.

Ready for adventure?

Stay Healthy at Home Webinars

Positive Pulse is a monthly blog on our website with advice and resources on living a healthier life. You can find this month's post in full by clicking the image or post title below.

Braille

This month's topic is braille. Braille is a writing system that uses raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols. It's a tactile system that allows people who are blind or partially sighted to read and write. Braille was named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille. It is used to produce the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font for those

Stay Healthy at Home Webinars

The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project team is excited to continue our Stay Healthy at Home webinar series! They take place every Tuesday at 2 PM.

We will present one new webinar each month followed by replays of previously recorded sessions. Click here for details.

*NEW*

The Arc of the US 988 Hotline

Disaster Preparedness: Be Prepared and Ready

What Employers Want and Value When Hiring Anyone, Including Individuals with IDD

Know Your Rights! An Overview of Title I of the ADA

If you've attended one of our Stay Healthy at Home webinar sessions, we're very thankful. Please spread the word and register for one of our upcoming sessions!

Healthy Lifestyles Project: LIVE!

The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project team continues to host bi-weekly sessions of Healthy Lifestyles Project: LIVE! These are live, interactive events on Zoom to promote healthy living for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They take place every Wednesday at 11 AM and Friday at 1 PM.

HLP: Brain Games

Get your thinking caps on! The NJSAP team presents games to play on Zoom!

Watch our previous videos below of Snippets and Pictionary to get an idea of all the fun that goes on! Be sure to join us at 1 PM every Thursday! Click here to learn more.

Fibbage

Finish the Lyrics

We can also schedule Brain Games with your group! Email NJSAP@Arcnj.org if you are interested.

HLP: Video Guides

Our Healthy Lifestyles Project: LIVE! events are held twice a week, but if you can't make it to a live session, try watching our videos on social media!

On Mondays, we post health and nutrition videos from Veronica Ramirez (Vero Pure Green)
On Tuesdays, we post music therapy videos by Joanna Tan.
On Wednesdays we post fitness videos from Matt Locascio (In-Home Personal Training)
On Thursdays, we post art-making videos by Malik Whitaker.
On Fridays, we post recipe videos/tips from Erin Smithers (NJSAP).

You can follow along easily and comfortably in your own home. We add videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube every weekday for you to follow along!

Mondays with Veronica:

Playlist

Tuesdays with Joanna: Playlist

Wednesdays with Matt: Playlist

Thursdays with Malik: Playlist

Fridays with Erin: Playlist

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