NJ Chapter - National Council on Severe Autism

06/05/2026

‼️ MORE PROGRESS‼️ 27 Sponsors and Co-Sponsors. Keep those letters coming at ncsa-nj.org/meeting

06/04/2026

We just sent a letter to Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, expressing strong concerns about a bill she just introduced, A5179, which would ban wages below minimum wage for workers with disabilities, including those currently employed under Section 14(c).

Key points we discussed:

-Competitive, integrated, minimum-wage employment is strongly supported for everyone who can realistically achieve it.

-For many people with severe autism, even with robust supports, competitive minimum-wage work is not attainable.

-Where 14(c) and sheltered workshop options are eliminated, many people with severe autism do not move into competitive jobs but become unemployed and “idle at home.”

-14(c) programs provide a protected form of employment that does not exist in the regular labor market for those with the most significant intellectual and functional disabilities.

-Safeguards are essential, and no one should be forced into 14(c), but removing this option eliminates one of the only viable work pathways for many adults with severe autism.

-A5179 is likely to increase unemployment and reduce meaningful day options as the population of people with severe and profound autism in New Jersey grows.

NCSA-NJ requested a meeting with Assemblywoman Simmons, along with families from her district whose adult children rely on 14(c) employment and fear losing these opportunities if A5179 becomes law.

Please share if you believe New Jersey must protect meaningful work options for adults with severe autism.


AAssemblywoman Heather Simmons

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

A Mother’s Eulogy for Her Son 💔🕊️.
On April 15, 2026, Justin McCafferty tragically fell to his death while attending a New Jersey day program for adults with disabilities. The incident remains under investigation. 😔⚖️🕯️

06/01/2026

We are at 1,599 follows. Could one of you please get a friend to follow us so we hit 1,600? It would just be a nice end to a long day. 🙂 Thanks.

05/31/2026

UPDATE… NOW 24 SPONSORS and COSPONSORS.

Because of your advocacy, supporters across New Jersey have already sent over 1,300 letters 📬 to Trenton, and lawmakers are responding. There are now 23 bipartisan sponsors and cosponsors on the camera bill — S3173/A4483 — proof that when we join together and speak up, lawmakers listen.

FREEDOM FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS THE MOST BASIC OF HUMAN RIGHTS.‼️

👉 In under 2 minutes, you can add your voice: send a letter of support to your NJ legislators at ncsa-nj.org/cameras

Please share and tag your NJ friends and family so our voices stay too strong to ignore. 🙏

-NJ

05/28/2026

More proof we need cameras. In group homes. Day programs. Schools. Our kids can’t speak for themselves. Access to technology to document instances of abuse and neglect should be considered a basic human right for our community.

05/26/2026

NCSA-NJ and many others are fighting on multiple fronts to stop the rampant abuse and neglect in New Jersey group homes and other state-funded programs for people with disabilities. 💔💪

One powerful tool is cameras in common areas—a protection families have been fighting for nearly 10 years. 📹

Right now, there is meaningful, bipartisan legislation in Trenton that has a real chance of passing—but only if lawmakers hear from us. 🏛️✉️

We need to win this battle so we can win the war for safety, dignity, and accountability in NJ group homes. ⚔️

👉 Take action in under 2 minutes: send a letter of support to your NJ legislators at ncsa-nj.org/cameras

Please share and tag your NJ friends and family so our voices can’t be ignored. 🙏

-NJ