SHARE:  

Information and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their allies. To learn more, please visit our website and connect with us on social media.

Facebook  Instagram  Youtube  LinkedIn

January 2024

Happy 2024!


Happy New Year to all our readers and a happy and healthy 2024 to all!  A new year brings new beginnings and ideas to explore.  However, a person-centered approach to planning for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can begin at any time.  Transitions from the education system to the adult services system, to a new living arrangement, or to a new employment setting are just a few examples to consider as you think about person-centered approaches and planning.  


The Community Living Education Project is here to support you and your family during in these transitions or at any time, either as a one-time resource or over a longer period of time. Call 732-235-3277 or reply to this email if you would like our help!  

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Today is a day to celebrate the legacy of a leader who worked tirelessly for greater equality and civil rights for all people. Through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, King was instrumental in achieving voting rights for African-Americans and ending segregation. He showed what a determined minority could accomplish through nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience.


Dr. King's life was cut short, and so it is impossible to know what he might have achieved had he not been assassinated. At the time of his death, King was expanding his civil rights advocacy to include anti-poverty efforts, so we know he was opposed to injustice and inequity of all forms. He was quite clear in his message that “it is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people.”


Even in death, Dr. King lived on. His nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience served as the inspiration for the disability rights movement thirty years later. In the fight leading up to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the disability rights movement emulated King’s non-violent approach to social justice with civil disobedience, including sit-ins, boycotts, blocking traffic, and protest marches. Dr. King and his supporters proved that these approaches could lead to widespread change, thus giving the disability rights movement a map to follow.


Dr. King's legacy is not only that he opened peoples' eyes to the many forms of injustice in this country, but also that it was possible to force action and new legislation through nonviolence. It is hard to imagine where the disability rights movement would be today were it not for Dr. King.


Upcoming Events

"Everyone Can Self-Direct" NCAPPS Webinar



In 2022, the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) determined that there was a need for a national effort to expand the quality and availability of self-direction as a person-centered option available to a wide variety of potential participants.


To achieve this goal, NCAPPS created the Self-Direction Learning Collaborative which brought together teams from across the country and experts to learn from each other as they worked to improve self-direction in their own states over the course of 18 months. New Jersey was part of this Learning Collaborative with three CLEP Team members honored to participate. 


This webinar will highlight successes from two Learning Collaborative teams: Colorado and Ohio. We hope you can join us!


Wednesday, January 17

3:30PM EST | Virtual

Register

Upcoming Events From Our Partners

Animal Adventures: Big Cats



You will get close up with the Carpathian Lynx and the African Serval as well as see a Bobcat and a Siberian Lynx. We will be talking about each of the cats like where they are from, what they eat, their adaptations etc.


Dr.Ed Laquidara has worked with exotics since his youth, and over the years gained his PhD in Zoology. Ed has even been listed as one of the world’s top 20 herpetologists. Ed formed Animal Adventures with the mission to provide a home to unwanted and unable to be cared for animals, while educating the public about these animals.


Live viewers will be able to share comments, ask questions, and participate in real time. Please share your video and follow along to make this a true interactive experience!


This event is intended for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project reserves the right to take and use photographs, video, and electronic images of attendees at its agency-sponsored events for promotional and educational purposes. By registering, you consent to having your photo taken for promotional purposes.


Wednesday, January 17

11:00 AM EST | Virtual

Register

The Right Fit: Find Your Exercise with Adaptive Fitness



Matt Locascio returns for another fitness session! This event will explore ways to stay in shape at home. Matt will be focusing on body weight exercises.


Matt is the owner of IHT (In-Home Training LLC). Matt has been working with North Jersey residents in exercise prescription and fitness training for over 10 years!


Live viewers will be able to share comments, ask questions, and participate in real time. Please share your video and follow along to make this a true interactive experience!


This event is intended for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project reserves the right to take and use photographs, video, and electronic images of attendees at its agency-sponsored events for promotional and educational purposes. By registering, you consent to having your photo taken for promotional purposes.


Friday, January 19

1:00 - 2:00 PM EST | Virtual

Register

In-Person Family Networking Meetings



The Office of Education on Self-Directed Services will be hosting in person family networking meetings on the following dates. Registration is required.



Tuesday, January 30

(Snow Date: February 20)

1:00 - 3:00 PM EST

In-Person: Bergen County Community College

Learn More

Wednesday, January 31

1:00 - 3:00 PM EST

In-Person: Voorhees Library

Learn More

Tuesday, February 6

1:00 - 3:00 PM EST

In-Person: Ocean City Free Public Library

Learn More

Tuesday, February 13

1:00 - 3:00 PM EST

In-Person: Burlington County Library

Learn More

Tuesday, March 12

12:00 - 2:00 PM EST

In-Person: NJ DDD Freehold Office

Learn More

How to Appeal and Vocational Rehabilitation Decision



Have you applied for services with the Vocational Rehabilitation offices, but have had it denied? Have your services been reduced? Are you aware that there are several ways to have the denial or reduction reviewed or to appeal it? If so, this webinar is for you!

Disability Rights NJ will be hosting a webinar designed to help walk applicants and VR clients through processes to have a decision reviewed, including how to appeal a decision or denial of services, with practical information and “how-to” trainings.


What will be covered:

  • What is a decision that can be reviewed or appealed?
  • What is the process, starting with going through the supervisor or manager of the office
  • Introduction to seeking an Administrative Review
  • How to request Mediation, and what to expect at Mediation
  • Requesting a Fair Hearing to the Office of Administrative Law



Monday, January 29

3:00 - 4:00 PM EST | Virtual

Register
ACI

Giant Game Night



Join us for a winter game night of EPIC proportions! We will be playing some GIANT games, including GIANT Jenga and GIANT Connect 4! Participate in our GIANT Trivia Challenge! (What is the largest mammal on earth? The blue whale!) Plus, AIR HOCKEY! Snacks and hot chocolate will be served.



Friday, January 26

4:00 - 5:30 PM EST

In-Person: Alliance Center for Independent Living, Edison, NJ

Register
ACI

Fun With Makeup!



Whether you are looking for tips on natural application or wanting to experiment with a more dramatic effect, we will review and practice using makeup with your very own new palette and supplies provided by ACI. Each participant will receive their individual makeup to use during this session and bring home too.


Monday, January 29

3:00 - 4:00 PM EST

In-Person: Alliance Center for Independent Living, Edison, NJ

Register

When Parents Collect Social Security: How Parents' Social Security Benefits Impact Adult Children with IDD



Are you planning to collect your Social Security benefits and wondering how this will affect your adult child with disabilities?


Questions and concerns often arise when parents are planning to collect their own Social Security and they have a son/daughter with disabilities who receives SSI and Medicaid. This presentation will discuss how to navigate those changes that may affect your adult child as you consider retirement.


Tuesday, January 30

1:00 - 2:00 PM EST | Virtual

Register

College Options for Students with IDD Webinar




College can be a great option for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). A growing number of programs offer varied opportunities to learn academic, career and independent living skills as they prepare for employment. Join us as we discuss different programs offered in New Jersey and possible ways to pay for college. Additionally, we will discuss how to write IEP goals for post-secondary options when working with the Child Study Team.



Wednesday, January 31

6:00 PM EST | Virtual

Register

Montclair Art Museum's Sensory Sunday Studio



Join us on the first Sunday of the month for a special hour of Sunday Studio designed for families with members on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Drop in to Geyer studio between noon and 1 p.m. for an art-making activity inspired by our current exhibitions. Each month features a different project designed by MAM Teaching Artists that is accessible to artists of all ages and abilities. This program is a great fit for people who learn best in smaller groups in a controlled environment with extra support. 



Sunday, February 4

12:00 - 1:00 PM

In-Person: Montclair Art Museum, Montclair

Register

News

Second Round of Ordering for Free COVID-19 Tests Now Open


Starting on September 25, every U.S. household had an opportunity to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through a partnership between the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service.


On November 20, a second round of ordering opened, allowing each household to place a second order to receive four more free tests. Households that have not yet placed an order can place two orders now, to receive a total of eight tests.


To order your free tests, go to COVID.gov and complete the form with your contact and shipping information.


People who are blind or have low vision can place a second order for free Ellume COVID Home Tests, which are more accessible than other options.

Click Here for Accessible Test Ordering Information

Wage Increases for DSPs and Supervisors


The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has announced wage increases for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Supervisors to align with the mandated minimum wage increases and allocations provided in the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget.  The increases are effective as of January 1, 2024.  These two components increase the wage by $1.75 per hour.


Learn More

Disability Rights New Jersey 2023 Annual Report Now Available


Disability Rights New Jersey is a legal advocacy agency that fights for the rights of people with disabilities in New Jersey.


In 2023, Disability Rights New Jersey reignited the promise of Olmstead and committed anew to their mission to advance the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities and promote their self-determination and inclusion in all facets of community life.


View the Report
Past Webinar Recordings

If you missed these recent live webinar discussions, we invite you to watch them and our other recordings on the Community Living Education Project's Youtube Channel.

Epilepsy and Developmental Disabilities Webinar Series: Special Considerations for Women with Epilepsy



Presented by Dipali Nemade, MD, MPH

Epileptologist

Orlando Health Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Institute | Neurology Group

Webinar Date: October 12, 2023

Watch now

Tech It Out Assistive Technology Device Demonstrations: Executive Function and Notetaking Supports


Presented by Mike Marotta, ATP

Director, The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center

Webinar Date: September 14, 2023

Watch now

If you or someone you know have an intellectual and/or developmental disability and live in New Jersey, we can help -- FREE! We work one-on-one with individuals and families as mentors and guides to navigating all the different services, programs, and options available to you. From where to live to setting up services, to pursuing hobbies and interests, we'll help you make informed decisions that will allow you to live as integrated members of your community.


Please get in touch if we can help you!

Email us at clep@sph.rutgers.edu or call (732) 235-3277


Let's continue this conversation on social media! Please follow us on social media and let us know how we can best be of assistance to you and/or your loved ones.

Facebook  Instagram  Youtube  LinkedIn

Please forward this email to your friends, colleagues, and families, and encourage them to subscribe and visit our website. Together we can make New Jersey a vibrant place for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive!