New Jersey Disability Collective

10/05/2026

NJ, in Trenton today, Disability Rights Day, to remind our elected officials of our rights.

Presented by ACI and REV UP NJ Join us for our upcoming Disability Rights Rally in Trenton! Recent Federal changes and proposeals could a have a significant impact on our civil rights. Our civil rights matter! Free shuttle service will be avaliable to and from the Trenton Train Stati

10/05/2026

Monday, October 5 is Disability Rights Day!

This annual celebration recognizes that people with disabilities have the right to fully participate in all aspects of community, civic and public life.

Disability rights are civil rights.

Official NJ Proclamation for Disability Rights Day 2026 as signed by Governor Mikie Sherrill (thanks to NJDHS for sharing):

https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/documents/Listserv/2026/Disability_Rights_Day_October_5_2026.pdf

09/27/2026

Disabled people have the right to live in our own homes and communities. That right has not gone away. But the federal rules that spelled out that right in Health and Human Services programs have been struck down, with the government’s help.

Yesterday, in the Texas v. Kennedy case, a federal court approved an agreement jointly proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and five states to remove the parts of Section 504 regulations that specify that disabled people should receive services and supports in the community rather than being forced into institutions.

This is yet another attack by this administration on the freedom and rights of disabled people. DREDF joins a coalition of disability rights organizations to strongly condemn this action. Read more here: https://dredf.org/texas-v-kennedy-final-september-2026/

What this ruling does not do is repeal Section 504 or the Americans with Disabilities Act, or overturn the Olmstead v. Lois Curtis ruling. These laws and legal authority continue to provide a right for for people with disabilities to live, work, and learn in community settings.

And if the federal government won't enforce our rights, then we will. We will push states to write Olmstead's protections into state law. We will support strong local and state enforcement. And we will fight cases that reinforce the ADA and Section 504.

Generations of disabled people fought for and won the freedom to make decisions about our lives and be a part of our communities. Together, we continue that fight.

09/27/2026

EXPECT MORE. Register for this year's The Spina Bifida Resource Network Live Your Best Life Empowerment Retreat for adults with disabilities, ages 21+, November 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency in Morristowm. Contact me with any questions. Otherwise REGISTER HERE: https://thesbrn.org/retreat/ Early bird registration available!

09/25/2026

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency for eight New Jersey counties ahead of a nor’easter expected to affect the state through the weekend. The declaration takes effect at 5 p.m. Friday and covers Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties.

The storm is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, significant coastal flooding and beach erosion. The most severe conditions are expected from Friday night through Sunday, with the potential for hazardous travel along the coast and in some inland areas. The declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state and county responses.

Residents are urged to charge phones, secure outdoor items, prepare food and water, monitor alerts and avoid driving when possible. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roads. Visit ready.nj.gov for updates and safety information, and learn more about the storm’s expected impact and the state’s response.

09/15/2026

It's time for another rally!! Our friends at the Alliance Center for Independence are organizing "Our Pride. Our Power. Our Community." — a disability rights and voter engagement rally at the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ, on Monday, October 5, from 12–3 p.m.

It's really important that we have a strong showing from the disability community across New Jersey and beyond, so join us and spread the word!

Transportation: Mercer TRADE will provide shuttle service to and from the Trenton Train Station throughout the event. Parking Lot 5B will be available for for those driving in.

Questions? Contact ACI at [email protected]

09/07/2026

Speak up. ⬆️

09/06/2026

09/03/2026

Time to act.

🚨 BREAKING: DOJ just asked a federal judge to erase disabled Americans' legal right to live in their own communities.

To be clear: states have long misapplied the Olmstead ruling to deny congregate care to people with profound needs. This filing doesn't fix that. It makes things worse for everyone.

⚖️ On September 1, 2026, DOJ asked a federal judge to permanently delete the "integration mandate" — the rule requiring disability services be delivered in the most integrated setting appropriate. DOJ is no longer defending this rule. It's now on the states' side, suing to kill it. In its own filing, DOJ says:

"Neither section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act nor Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act imposed an integration mandate on states."

If signed, this wipes out: 👇

The federal definition of "most integrated setting"

The requirement to prioritize community-based services

The entire community-integration provision of Section 504

💰 This is really about money. The integration mandate is the legal tool families use to fight funding cuts to home aides, respite, day programs, and group home staffing — the Medicaid HCBS waivers that let people stay in their own homes instead of institutions. As major Medicaid cuts roll out, erasing this mandate removes families' strongest legal defense against losing that funding.

A judge still has to sign this. But it's no longer just a legal memo — it's sitting on a federal judge's desk, agreed to by the agency meant to enforce disability rights.

📢 Not a moment for panic. A moment to build awareness. Real choice requires real protection.