With the right community support and resources, all New Jersey residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities can lead full and engaged lives alongside their neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends across the Garden State. Knowledge is power, and the NJCDD is here to give individuals and their families a roadmap to fuller community inclusion…because New Jersey is Our Home Too!
Through the “New Jersey is My Home Too!” campaign, we hope to show that a vibrant and inclusive community is possible for everyone, at any age and in every corner of New Jersey.
Below, explore our series of virtual panel discussions, where individuals with developmental disabilities share their experiences and insights as active New Jersey community members:
“I am your Coworker…and New Jersey is My Home Too!”
Developmental Disabilities Employment
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have dreams, goals, and drive like anyone else. They deserve opportunities to grow as professionals, pursue engaging work, and build toward a fulfilling future. Resources on the local, state, and federal level can help turn employment dreams into reality.
In our first virtual panel, the NJCDD’s Employment Services Coordinator, Adam Kubler, welcomes New Jersey self advocates Robert Jackson, Gianna Morello, and Ryan Roy to talk about their experiences in the workplace and goals for the future. Watch the full discussion below as these advocates share the resources that helped them on the road to employment, along with their advice to other individuals with disabilities hoping to land a job of their own.
Disability Employment Resources
- State of NJ Disability Information Hub – Employment Page – https://www.nj.gov/disabilities/employment-assistance/
- DB101 – NJ.DB101.org
- NJCDD Employment First Page: https://njcdd.org/employment-first/
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation – https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/special-services/individuals-with-disabilities/
- Job Accommodation Network – https://askjan.org/
Are you interested in taking a more active role in your community? The NJCDD is here to help!
Contact Us
Adam Kubler
Employment Services Coordinator
609-984-4513
adam.kubler@njcdd.org
“I am your Neighbor…and New Jersey is My Home Too!” Navigating the Disability Services System for Non-English Speakers
New Jersey is a diverse state, with residents from many different cultures and backgrounds. However, navigating a complex developmental disabilities service system can be challenging for those from diverse backgrounds, who don’t speak English, or simply don’t know where to start. The NJCDD is working with diverse groups across the state to build toward more culturally-competent supports for all New Jersey residents.
In this discussion of our “New Jersey is My Home Too” panel series, delivered entirely in Spanish, Javier Robles sits down with New Jersey residents Kevin Núñez, Iris Rivera, and Suri Hernandez to share some of the challenges and solutions they’ve encountered while seeking culturally appropriate and accessible disability services for themselves and their loved ones.
“Soy tu vecino…y New Jersey también es mi hogar!” Cómo navegar por el sistema de servicios para discapacitados para personas que no hablan inglés
Nueva Jersey es un estado diverso, con residentes de muchas culturas y orígenes diferentes. Sin embargo, navegar por un sistema complejo de servicios para discapacitados del desarrollo puede ser un desafío para quienes tienen orígenes diversos, no hablan inglés o simplemente no saben por dónde empezar. El NJCDD está trabajando con diversos grupos en todo el estado para desarrollar apoyos más culturalmente competentes para todos los residentes de Nueva Jersey.
En esta discusión de nuestra serie de paneles “Nueva Jersey también es mi hogar”, presentada completamente en español, Javier Robles se sienta con los residentes de Nueva Jersey Kevin Núñez, Iris Rivera y Suri Hernández para compartir algunos de los desafíos y soluciones que han encontrado al buscar servicios para discapacitados culturalmente apropiados y accesibles para ellos y sus seres queridos.
Are you interested in taking a more active role in your community? The NJCDD is here to help!
Contact Us
Jade Pollock
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison
jade.pollock@njcdd.org
Javier Robles
Assistant Teaching Professor, Director, Center for Disability Sports, Health and Wellness
848-932-7046
javier.robles@rutgers.edu
Disability Resources
- NJ Department of Human Services – https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/resources/
“I am your fellow Citizen…and New Jersey is My Home Too!”
Developmental Disabilities Advocacy
NJCDD’s Council Member, Kevin Nunez, joins fellow self advocates Robert Jackson Octavio Maldonado of NJ Association of the Deaf, Dalia Lorenz an Stephen Toth ASL interpreter talk about the valuable work that each of them has out to advance civil rights and representation for people with disabilities on the local, state, and national level. The advocates also share their experience participating in New Jersey’s Partners in Policymaking training program, along with other resources that have helped them to become more confident and capable disability advocates.
Disability Employment Resources
- Community Options, Inc.- The Center for Advocacy Leadership: https://www.comop.org/get-involved/advocacy/center-for-advocacy-leaders/
- People First New Jersey: https://njcdd.org/peoplefirstnj/
- Self-Advocacy Online: http://selfadvocacyonline.org/
- Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered: https://www.sabeusa.org/
- New Jersey Self Advocacy Project: http://www.njselfadvocacyproject.org/
- Self-Advocacy Resource & Technical Assistance Center: https://www.selfadvocacyinfo.org/
- National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practice & Systems: https://ncapps.acl.gov/home.html
- The Arc National Council of Self-Advocates: https://thearc.org/get-involved/self-advocacy/
- New Jersey Black I/DD Consortium: Lederick Horne, Email: lederick@lederick.com, Bill Davis, Email: wdavis@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
- NJ Regional Family Support Planning Support Councils: https://njcdd.org/the-regional-family-support-planning-councils/
- New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council: https://www.njsilc.org/
- New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee (SAAC): https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/individuals/selfadvocacy/
- NJ DDD Office of Education on Self-Directed Services: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/individuals/community/education
- Rutgers University Community Living Education Project: https://rutgerstraining.sph.rutgers.edu/clep/
- Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities: https://www.abcdnj.org/
- NJ Partners in Policy Making: https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/training-and-consultation/partners-in-policymaking
- NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities: https://njcdd.org/
Books on Self-Determination
Promoting Self-Determination in Students with Developmental Disabilities: By Michael L. Weymeyer
Empowering Students with Hidden Disabilities: A Path to Pride and Success: By LeDerick Horne and Margo Izzo
Who’s Future is it? : By Attainment Company
Self-Determination & Transition Planning: By Karen A. Shogren
Self-Determination Readers: By Attainment Company
Do the Right Thing: By Attainment Company
Explore Your Community: By Attainment Company
Are you interested in taking a more active role in your community? The NJCDD is here to help!
Contact Us
Kerry McGrath
Family Support Liaison
609-984-4516
kerry.mcgrath@njcdd.org
“I am your fellow Neighbor…and New Jersey is My Home Too!”
Developmental Disabilities Community Inclusion
For the fourth and final panel talk in our “New Jersey is My Home Too” series fellow self-advocates Jaylen Boyd, Emma Ayers, Kathleen McGrath, Giancarlo Vicari, and moderator, Adam Kubler share the many ways panelists are leading full and engaged lives alongside their neighbors, families and friends. Our panelists also highlight the community organizations, resources, and allies who have helped them along the way.
Disability Community Inclusion Resources
- SEPAG: https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/parents/docs/SEPAG%20Guide-English-updated%204%2016%2019.pdf
- Shining Stars: https://shiningstarsnetwork.org/
- 4H: https://4-h.org/
- TriCan Program: https://summitcommunityprograms.com/156/TryCAN-Special-Needs
- Girl Scouts: https://www.girlscouts.org/
- Scouting: https://www.scouting.org/
- Patient and Family Resources: https://www.rwjbh.org/childrens-specialized-hospital/patients-visitors/patient-and-family-resources/
- Recreation: https://www.rwjbh.org/treatment-care/pediatrics/conditions-treatments/pediatric-specialty-programs/activity-connection-recreation-programs/
- Register Ready: https://nj211.org/initiative/nj-register-ready
Are you interested in taking a more active role in your community? The NJCDD is here to help!
Contact Us
Adam Kubler
Employment Services Coordinator
609-984-4513
adam.kubler@njcdd.org