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July 22, 2025
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October 28, 2025
Previous Recordings
Supporting Agency Perspectives on Budget Uncertainty
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Founding Disability Organizations of the Bipartisan NJ Legislative Disability Caucus Host Educational Briefing for Legislative Caucus Members on Funding Priorities Amid Ongoing State and Federal Fiscal Uncertainty
Trenton, NJ – Amid growing budget uncertainty at both the state and federal levels, the original, founding organizations of the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus hosted a virtual educational session to brief Caucus members on the potential of funding cuts on their agencies and the individuals they serve. While the Caucus’ quarterly meetings are typically led by one of its four legislative co-chairs—Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn— this session was notably turned over to the founding agencies. With budget concerns top of mind for the disability community, the shift allowed these organizations to spotlight their missions and elevate the urgent funding priorities critical to sustaining essential services for individuals with disabilities across New Jersey. Press Release
Access to Housing
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
In a virtual meeting last week, members of the bipartisan New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus discussed barriers to supportive housing for those with disabilities. The session explored innovative solutions for expanding affordable housing options. Assembly Majority Leader and Caucus Co-Chair Lou Greenwald led the discussion, introducing two bills he is sponsoring to tackle the problem.
The first, the New Jersey Housing Opportunity Act (A4956), offers municipalities various options to build affordable housing. The second bill A2757, authorizes the conversion of certain office parks and retail centers into mixed-use developments.
The following are some helpful links from the session:
Ensuring ALL Children in New Jersey are Fully Included & Treated Equally
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Thank you again for serving as a member of the Legislative Disability Caucus and for all who attended or sent representatives to the Roundtable Discussion on Ensuring ALL Children in New Jersey are Fully Included & Treated Equally last week!
We appreciate Senator Ruiz for leading the discussion. The following are some helpful Caucus links:
Addressing Safe and Inclusive Education
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Positive Impacts and New Possibilities in the Disability Community
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
2023
Transition from School to Adult Services for Students with Disabilities
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Access to Early Intervention Youth Services: July 25, 2023
Housing Roundtable: April 25, 2023
Access to Quality Healthcare Services: February 21, 2023
2022
A Panel Discussion on Special Education: October 25, 2022
Direct Care Workforce Crisis: July 26, 2022
- America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis: Effects on People with Intellectual Disabilities, Families, Communities and the U.S. Economy (2017) (I/DD Sector)
- National Core Indicators. (2022). National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2020 Staff Stability Survey Report. (I/DD Sector)
- Direct-Care-Workers-in-the-US-2021-PHI.pdf (Aging Sector)
- Alice in Focus Disability-Talking Points
- Alice in Focus Disability Report
Access to Healthcare: April 25, 2022
Recap of 2021: January 25, 2022
January 25, 2022
This first session of the New Year included a recap of the 2021 Caucus sessions. Fifteen Caucus supporting agencies were also highlighted during this session.
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, Senator Anthony Bucco and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan Disability Caucus for the 2022-2023 Legislative Session. All four lawmakers were founding members of the Caucus that launched last year.
2021
Transportation Roundtable: October 26, 2021
Housing Roundtable, July 27, 2021
Employment Roundtable: April 27, 2021
April 27, 2021
Senate President Sweeney, Honorable Members of the NJ Legislative Disability Caucus Held an Employment Roundtable Focusing on Persons with Disabilities
New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus Chair Senate President Steve Sweeney, honorable legislative caucus members and advocates from the disability community met virtually on April 27 to discuss the impact of Employment for people with disabilities.
Impact of COVID-19 on Persons with Disabilities: January 25, 2021
January 26, 2021
Senate President Sweeney, Honorable Members of the NJ Legislative Disability Caucus & Advocates from the Disability Community Hold First Meeting of Bipartisan Disability Caucus Focusing on the Impact of COVID-19 on Persons with Disabilities
New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus Chair Senate President Steve Sweeney, honorable legislative caucus members and advocates from the disability community met virtually on January 26 for the inaugural meeting of the Caucus to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities. With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a disproportionate toll on people with disabilities, the topic led to a robust discussion among policymakers and advocates for this first briefing session of 2021.
Disability advocates shared their experiences with policy makers regarding limited access to vaccines, testing, personal protective equipment, and critical care resources amid the pandemic. They also discussed loss of educational services, therapy and behavioral supports due to the public health crisis and how it has affected transition to adult life and compensatory services. The goal of the briefing session was to raise awareness and share ideas, so policymakers can make informed decisions on how to best address the inequities.