Category: Advocacy Opportunities
Looking for a way to have your voice heard? Check out some of these NJ Legislative Bills that seek to make the great outdoors more accessible for people with disabilities across the great state of New Jersey!
• H.R. 7751 Parks to People Act establishes federal grants to build and improve significant greenway paths.
You can use this link to learn more about the bill and links to contact your local representatives to support the bill – Congress house-bill/7751
This article about Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act highlights efforts earlier this year to bring a group of advocates to Washington, D.C. to build support for the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act.
With the bill making progress through both chambers of Congress here is what the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act Would Do:
The Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act would make accessibility a required part of federal travel planning.
The bill would:
- Require federal agencies to prioritize updates to travel management plans and motor vehicle use maps.
- Require those agencies to account for the amount of accessible road mileage available across public land.
- Direct agencies to work with state, local and tribal governments to identify routes that provide meaningful recreational access.
- Require accessibility to be considered when agencies make decisions affecting roads and motorized routes.
The NJSOC is a proud partner of Nature Accessible for All, (NAFA). NAFA ‘s mission is to make outdoor spaces accessible for differently abled people. The NJSOC serves on the steering Committee of the campaign, and works with individuals and organizations in the disabled community to improve trails, create spaces and make outdoor centers more welcoming and accessible for all people.
One element of the campaign was a stipend program, funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that provided funds to several projects across the state which were used to improve trail access, beach access, create sensory trails or provide equipment. The NJSOC received a stipend from the campaign that has allowed them to resurface our interior campus pathways and entrances, making them more accessible to wheelchairs and people with other mobility challenges. They also created a ramp on the Wapalanne side of the lake, making the loop around Lake Wapalanne accessible by wheelchair for the first time in 90 years.
There is much work yet to be done to fully transform the campus so that NJSOC is true to the mission of making the NJSOC welcoming to all people. With the help of their new Accessibility Ambassador, Amelia Basile and by continuing our participation in NAFA, they are committed to making this happen.
CorpsTHAT, is a nonprofit that connects the Deaf Community with the outdoors through education, recreation, and careers.
They are inviting other nature-based organizations to learn ASL to create more inclusive and accessible outdoor spaces. Their virtual ASL for the Outdoors courses are a great way for staff, volunteers, and community members to build communication skills and connect with the Deaf Community.
About the courses
• 5 weeks long, offered as public or private classes
• Taught by Deaf instructors
• Virtual, taught live on Zoom for one hour, twice a week
• Additional resources and assignments posted on Google Classroom
• Every CorpsTHAT ASL student can join our virtual bi-weekly ASL meet-ups to practice signing with students from other courses
Next round of public courses starts October 19 and 20:
• ASL Level 1 (brand-new beginners): Class F, Mon/Wed, 8-9pm ET
• ASL Level 2 (some ASL knowledge): Class E, Tue/Thu, 7-8pm ET
• ASL Level 5 (advanced/conversational): Class B, Mon/Wed, 6-7pm ET
Want a private course just for your group?
Set up a Group Course: a private course for up to 8 individuals. Any level works, and we can schedule it at any time between 9am and 6pm ET on the days that fit your team best: Mon/Wed, Tue/Thu, Wed/Fri, or Saturdays.
Join the United Spinal Association for this discussion group on aging with a disability. Meetings are held virtually every 4th Wednesday of the month from 7-8pm ET.
Registration – Rolling Through Life: Aging with a Disability
Do you have questions related to Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder?
Join the United Spinal Resource Center team to have your questions answered live! Their team of information specialists are ready to share their knowledge and experience with you. They can answer questions about:
Health and wellness
New spinal cord injury
Financial assistance
Transportation
Employment
Rehabilitation
Sports and recreation
Traveling with a disability
And much more!
Bring your questions! We look forward to sharing our resources with you.
Every 4th Wednesday at 4:00PM ET
Registration – Resource Center Live