Sean Kane-Holland, Author at Nature: Accessible for All

Join the Spina Bifida Resource Network for their interactive series by and for adults with disabilities — featuring adults with disabilities as speakers, experts and discussion leaders.

This webinar is apart of their Empowered Conversations Virtual Speaker Series for Adults with Disabilities 21+

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm ET on Zoom

Link to register – Spina Bifida Resource Network – Speaker Series

The New Jersey East Coast Greenways is calling for advocacy! Tell NJ legislators: Don’t cut funding for walking, biking and greenways.

To grow the East Coast Greenway and other walking and biking infrastructure in New Jersey, we need funding from the state, especially in this moment when federal funding for these projects is being cut. The proposed FY27 budget that legislators are discussing right now would steeply cut funding to key state programs like Bikeways that give communities the resources they need to build greenways. These spaces are great resources for communities seeking accessibility for disabilities as they are built with accessibility and inclusion for all in mind and follow strict guidelines in their development.

The East Coast Greenway in New Jersey has supplied a form that residents can consider using to reach out to your legislator today. Tell NJ Legislators: Don’t Cut Safe Streets Funding

Last Tuesday, May 5th our partners over at Ocean Positive headed way inland to join 18 members of the NJ School of Conservation team for an inspiring training session talking about safe, inclusive outdoor recreation that builds communities and inspires others to care about the places we love from the ocean to the mountains.
This was done in conjunction with Pinelands Alliance’s – Nature Accessible for All campaign.

Ocean Positive was on the campus of NJ SOC for a Safe & Positive for All training — and what was supposed to be a 90-minute session turned into a genuine conversation about what it means to ensure that everyone who immerses themselves in nature can have a lifetime of safe and positive experiences.

What happens when you put 18 outdoor educators in a room and ask them to think about who might not feel safe or welcome in the spaces they steward? The staff at NJSOC, soon found out.
Educators. Field staff. People who spend their lives helping others connect with the natural world. They shared their inspiration and insight that makes this work matter.
By training the trainers, these best practices don’t stop with the 18 people in that room. They have the potential to reach the nearly 4,000 people who visit NJSOC each year for programs and field experiences — many of whom may be living with spinal cord injuries, movement and sensory limitations, or neurological differences that standard wilderness safety training too often overlooks.

The NJSOC team doesn’t just teach conservation — they live it. Making sure their programs are accessible and empowering for everyone is a natural extension of that mission.
Grateful to Kerry, Tanya, and the entire NJSOC team for having us. Nature is for everyone. Making that true in practice — not just in principle — takes training, intention, and teams like this one.

Out N’ About is a group recreation program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each month, ONA brings adults together through social events, creative programs, and community outings that spark connection and create something to look forward to.

Registration for June 2026 Events Closes Wednesday, May 20th

Registration – Out N’ About (ONA) | Group Recreation for Adults with Disabilities

Greetings Nature Accessibility Advocates,

May brings a wide range of observances that highlight both the progress made and the work still ahead in advancing accessibility and inclusion. Here we address just a few chances to highlight observances for May. Among the most widely recognized is National Mobility Awareness Month, which focuses on the importance of mobility solutions and independence.

The month also includes National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, which raises awareness of communication disorders and access to critical services, as well as Global Accessibility Awareness Day (celebrated this year on May 21), which highlights the importance of accessible digital and physical environments. Other notable recognitions include Lupus Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and ALS Awareness Month, each underscoring the diverse needs that must be considered in inclusive design.

With so many important observances throughout the month, May serves as a powerful reminder that accessibility is not one-size-fits-all, and that continued collaboration, education, and action are essential to building environments, programs, and services that work for everyone.

Greetings,

This update is from the desk of Clarke King, National Federation of the Blind of NJ Legislative Director

NFB is asking New Jersey residents to take immediate action to support Assembly Bill A3578 by contacting members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Timely outreach is critical to ensure this legislation advances. View the bill here: NJ A3578 | 2026-2027

Why Support A3578

• A3578 supports Electronic Ballot Return (EBR), enabling blind voters to use screen readers to access and return ballots independently.

• Ensures voters who are blind can cast their ballots privately and independently, without relying on assistance from others.

• Addresses barriers that limit full and equal participation for individuals with disabilities.

• Strengthens legal protections and promotes accountability in areas directly impacting access, independence, and civil rights.

Sample Email

Subject: Please Support A3578

Dear Assembly member,

I am writing to respectfully urge your support for Assembly Bill A3578.

A3578 supports Electronic Ballot Return (EBR), allowing blind voters to independently and privately complete and return their ballots using screen reader technology. This ensures equal access to voting while preserving voter privacy and independence.

I respectfully ask that you vote YES on A3578 when it comes before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

Phone Script

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am calling to support Assembly Bill A3578. This bill allows blind voters to cast their ballots privately and independently using screen readers via Electronic Ballot Return. I respectfully ask that the Assemblymember vote YES on Bill A3578 in the Judiciary Committee. Thank you.

Assembly Judiciary Committee Contacts

Rep. Louis Greenwald (D) Phone: 856-435-1247 Email: AsmGreenwald@njleg.org

Rep. Anthony Verrelli (D) Phone: 609-292-0500 Email: AsmVerrelli@njleg.org

Rep. Ellen Park (D) Phone: 201-308-7062 Email: AswPark@njleg.org

Rep. Sterley Stanley (D) Phone: 732-875-3833 Email: AsmStanley@njleg.org

Rep. Carol Murphy (D) Phone: 856-242-2018 Email: AswMurphy@njleg.org

Rep. Roy Freiman (D) Phone: 908-829-4191 Email: AsmFreiman@njleg.org

Your outreach matters. Legislators rely on hearing directly from constituents and NJ residents when considering legislation. Please take a moment today to call or email your Assembly representatives and urge them to support Bill A3578. Together, we can advance policies that promote equality, independence, and opportunity for all.