Advocacy Opportunities Archives - Page 3 of 4

The new legislative session has begun and NAFA is eager to advocate for smart policies that will help New Jersey build a safer, more accessible outdoor future. Taking this opportunity to notify the community of advocacy opportunities and legislation to ask your local reps to support. Stay tuned for updates!

We are dedicated to continuing to work with partners, legislators and the community for more accessible outdoor spaces and passive recreation.

You can find more about this Bill with the link below.

H.R.7751 – Parks to People Active Transportation Act, requires the DOT to establish a grant program for community greenways.

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

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.

Rally your community. Build an inclusive world.

Join Move United in honoring the legacy of disability rights champions such as Judy Heumann and Eli Wolff, #NationalAdaptiveSportDay is an annual day of advocacy for disability inclusion in sports and recreation.

April 28 marks the anniversary of the signing of the regulations enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the landmark civil rights legislation that barred discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs, including sports and recreation.

NationalAdaptiveSportDay advances inclusion in sport while highlighting the power and purpose of the disability community.

Here’s how you can celebrate:
• Post on social media and tag #NationalAdaptiveSportDay.
• Become an ally. Upload your logo to here.
• Rally people to spread the word in your community and network.
• Host an National Adaptive Sport Day event.

Join the Eastcoast Greenway in a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create safer, more connected infrastructure for the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region.

With the Delaware River Bridge connecting Florence, New Jersey, and Bristol, Pennsylvania, being replaced, they are calling for the new bridge to include a much-needed shared use path to allow active transportation access across the bridge. Getting from Bristol to Florence without a car currently requires a 26-mile detour–with the shared-use path, that would be cut to just two miles.

Led by their partners Freewalkers, a group will rally and march in Bristol on Saturday, May 2 for the shared use path. Join for a rally and two mile advocacy walk in Bristol, or go the distance and make the 26-mile trek highlighting the gap in access created by the lack of a shared use path. There will be options to return via transit along the way.

Length options: Two miles or 26-miles, with options to customize by returning on transit.