!!!UPDATES / PROGRAM CLOSURES / RESOURCES!!!
To stay up-to-date on how all Easterseals programs and communications regarding the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, visit eastersealsnj.org/coronavirus
We will be periodically updating this page with new information for individuals, families, and the disability community at large to ensure everyone is staying as safe and informed as possible.
EASTERSEALSNJ.ORG
Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Easterseals New Jersey Blog
A psychologist and a special-needs teacher's tips to help kids with disabilities learn at home.
YAHOO.COM
A Psychologist and a Special-Needs Teacher's Tips to Help Kids With Disabilities Learn at Home
DYK The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February an unemployment rate of 7.3% among people with disabilities in 2019, a slight decrease from the 8% reported in 2018. Yet, people with disabilities are still twice as likely to be unemployed, compared to those without a disability.
Research has also found that only 29,893 people with disabilities joined the workforce in 2018, compared to 343,000 two years prior.
Why?
People who entered the workforce for the first time left because there were no accommodations for their disabilities.
For adults with intellectual disabilities, COVID-19 poses many challenges.
INQUIRER.COM
For adults with intellectual disabilities, COVID-19 poses many challenges
This new restaurant will focus on training people with disabilities.
WLBT.COM
Lily Pad Cafe being built to help those with disabilities
No disability or dictionary out there is capable of clearly defining who we are as a person.
Together we can knock down barriers and blaze a trail for people with disabilities to reach their goals. Our “On The Other Side campaign launches today with the goal of addressing six key challenges that we want to target for change and help make New Jersey a more accessible place to live.
By addressing these challenges directly, we are working to help people with disabilities in New Jersey get to the other side of what’s standing between them and opportunity.
Learn more: https://www.eastersealsnj.org/otherside/
Social distancing has been an effective tool we have employed to keep the COVID-19 infection at bay, but it has also caused us to become more isolated than ever. Individuals with disabilities more so than most, as many of the online activities we all enjoy are inaccessible. Even before this pandemic, accessible socialization was hard to come by, but now it’s almost nonexistent.
We want to change all that. In addition to creating virtual activities which can be delivered remotely to promote physical, mental, and social wellness at home, we would also like to expand on our traditional respite services.
So what can you do to make so that we ALL arrive on the other side of this social isolation?
You can sign up for our advocacy network and email your local legislators and start advocating for increased accessible socialization services today! sign up at the link: https://www.eastersealsnj.org/otherside/prioritize-socialization-for-all/
While one person enjoys their favorite television program, another individual is unable to understand it due to a lack of captioning. Imagine a company hosts a town hall for an important announcement to their employees and forget to provide a sign language interpreter. Perhaps a patient is trying to decide between two medicines and there is no braille to identify them. You can see how this can be problematic.
So what can YOU do to make sure we ALL arrive on the other side of inaccessible communication?
You can help promote awareness by following us on social media and sharing our social media posts designed to make people think more about using diverse communication methods.
As the nation struggles with record unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all reminded of how important our jobs are to our overall wellbeing. Hopefully, we will find ourselves on the other side of this pandemic and the jobs will return, but we can’t forget that even before the pandemic, people with disabilities were already struggling to find work.
As companies rebuild their ranks, we need to make sure they are actively recruiting and creating accommodations for applicants with disabilities.
So what can YOU do to make so that we ALL arrive on the other side of unemployment?
You can download our pledge and bring it to either your CEO or Head of HR to have them sign and agree to hire 10% more individuals with disabilities over the next 10 months - Follow the link: https://www.eastersealsnj.org/otherside/increase-equal-employment/
It’s time we acknowledged that support programs in New Jersey are woefully underfunded. These programs (such as Adult Habilitation Programs and Case Management) serve vulnerable populations and require top-quality staff to provide these essential services.
With not enough funding, the staff that work to provide these services are underpaid and the individuals they serve are the ones impacted most. High rates of staff turnover (losing staff to other industries or jobs) and limited dollars to keep the programs running minimize how much they can actually do, and at times have even resulted in closed programs.
So what can YOU do to make sure that we ALL arrive on the other side of underfunded programs and underpaid staff? You can sign up to join our advocacy network and email your local legislators to demand for more dollars for these critical services.
Learn more: https://www.eastersealsnj.org/otherside/improve-funding-for-support-programs/
Only days left until the 2020 General Election and our votes are the most powerful advocacy tool we have. Take the Easterseals New Jersey Voter Pledge today so that people living with disabilities and mental health challenges and those who care for them can help shape the results of this critical election: https://www.votervoice.net/EastersealsNJ/Surveys/6148/Respond
Never stop doing little things for others. Sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their heart.
Via 4029 News: Baseball program for athletes with autism and other disabilities.
4029TV.COM
Baseball program for athletes with autism and other disabilities looking to come to Northwest Arkansas, River Valley
Via Mashable: 'Cooking in a Wheelchair' is a joyful, accessible YouTube show full of practical tips.
MASHABLE.COM
'Cooking in a Wheelchair' is a joyful, accessible YouTube show full of practical tips
When you join our advocacy network, we will keep you up-to-date on important disability-related legislation. Together we can address the access issues here in our state and make our community a place where people with disabilities can thrive: https://www.easterseals.com/nj/get-involved/advocacy/
We need YOU! Help protect access to tele-mental health, IDD, and substance use disorder treatment services in New Jersey by signing our petition! We've got close to 200 signatures already but with your help, we can grow this petition and guarantee fair access to telehealth services! Sign here ➡️ https://www.votervoice.net/EastersealsNJ/Petitions/2394/Respond?fbclid=IwAR1rjP8OjJQF4FAXdsvBNmsDheeNKpbzyGFWDmEOZIuDdOdG4Rlln04QNms
Let’s be real for a second, 2020 has been a year. 2020 started like any other year, all of us so looking forward to turning the calendar page and welcoming new opportunities. But somewhere early into the 2020 ride, we hit some speed bumps. And then a few more. And it went on like that for far longer than any of us could have anticipated.
It has been a time of uncertainty. It has been a time of fear and worry. It has been a time that’s exhausted and tested us all. We saw our staff masking up and going out each and every day to continue providing services and support to our consumers. But through it all, one thing stays strong and unwavering: our community.
This Thanksgiving, we here at Easterseals New Jersey would like to take a moment to extend our warmest and most sincere gratitude to YOU, our amazing community. Because of your generosity and support, we are able to help thousands of individuals living with disabilities in New Jersey, and give them each the opportunity to live, learn, work and play.
So this Thanksgiving, we raise a glass to you. May your holiday be warm and bright.
As the nation struggles with record unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all reminded of how important our jobs are to our overall wellbeing. Hopefully, we will find ourselves on the other side of this pandemic and the jobs will return, but we can’t forget that even before the pandemic, people with disabilities were already struggling to find work.
As companies rebuild their ranks, we need to make sure they are actively recruiting and creating accommodations for applicants with disabilities.
Learn more at eastersealsnj.org/otherside
Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling with an important message about our On The Other Side campaign!
Twitch to Donate $1 Million to The AbleGamers Foundation to Help Gamers with Disabilities.
IGN.COM
Twitch to Donate $1 Million to AbleGamers to Help Gamers with Disabilities - IGN
Three tips of the day to improve your mental well-being:
1. Avoid comparing yourself to others on social media, and try to cut things like negativity and doom and gloom news from your media diet.
2. Every time you choose to be kind, you’re making a conscious and deliberate choice about who you want to be.
3. Maybe it’s a cup of coffee and a good book. Maybe it’s playing the piano. Make time for things that lift you up and bring you joy.
A little positivity for your Tuesday morning. 🌞
Wintertime can be challenging for many people, especially during this socially distant time. But it is so important to check in with your mental health and make extra efforts to connect with loved ones.
EASTERSEALSNJ.ORG
Creative Ways to Keep Connected This Winter - Easterseals New Jersey Blog
When you join our advocacy network, we will keep you up-to-date on important disability-related legislation. Together we can address the access issues here in our state and make our community a place where people with disabilities can thrive. Visit https://www.easterseals.com/nj/get-involved/advocacy/
Many individuals with disabilities rely on public assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and affordable housing in order to stay safe and see progress in achieving their goals. Recent threats to these programs leave those people in dire circumstances with only unhealthy and unsafe daily living options to choose from.
Many people are forced to choose between affording housing or paying for their mental health medications. Or they may only be able to afford foods that are unhealthy and lead them to develop high-blood pressure or diabetes – increasing their stress and endangering their lives. With these programs properly funded, however, we have seen many of our program participants see success and live full, productive lives.
Learn how YOU can help ensure we ALL arrive on the other side of stigmas: https://www.eastersealsnj.org/otherside/increase-access-to-state-programs/
