1. travel
2. transports
3. public transport

October 2013
New Horizons
Housing That Supports Independence
Disney Confirms Change To Special
Needs Access
By HUGO MARTIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES/MCT September 24, 2013
Norman A. Smith
Editor
Judith A. Wilkinson
Co-Editor
Tim Doherty
Executive Director
Norman A. Smith
Associate
Executive Director
Stephen J. Schaefer
Chief Financial
Officer
Tracee Battis
Director of Housing
Development
Robbinsville
Betty Maxwell
Housing Coordinator
Tom Csapo
Construction Mgr.
Hamilton
Vivian Lavelle
Social Services
Coordinator
Christine McKernan
Office Manager
Lawrence
Jackie Elsowiny
Social Services
Coordinator
JoAnne Sherry
Office Manager
Freedom Village at
Woodstown
Sammi DeMaris
Social Services
Coordinator
Starting next month, Disney theme parks will change the policy that lets visitors with
disabilities skip the long lines for attractions.
Instead of giving visitors with disabilities and their family members a card that allows
them to go directly onto rides, the guests will be given a scheduled time period to return
to get faster access to the attraction.
In essence, guests with disabilities and their families will get to use a new version of the
Fastpass tickets offered for certain rides to all guests. The new policy will begin Oct. 9.
“Given the increasing volume of requests we receive for special access to our
attractions, we are changing our process so that it creates a more consistent experience
for all our guests while providing accommodations for guests with disabilities,” said
Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown.
The change in policy comes partly in response to reports this year that guests at Walt
Disney World in Orlando, Fla., were hiring people with disabilities to accompany them
into the park to skip the lines.
A petition to ask Disney executives to reconsider the policy change has already
generated more than 20,000 signatures with the progressive advocacy group
Moveon.org. The petition says the policy change might make people with disabilities
reconsider visiting Disney parks.
“My son is autistic and we have
booked a trip to stay at Disneyland’s
Paradise Pier Hotel for the Christmas
holiday and this will change everything
for him,” wrote a Morgan Hill, Calif.,
resident who signed the petition.
Arlene Sims
Office Manager
Freedom Village at
Hopewell
Cecilia Funk
Social Services
Coordinator
A Publication of Project Freedom Inc. / Robbinsville, Hamilton, Lawrence & Woodstown
Visit us on the web at: www.projectfreedom.org
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16th Annual Angel Award Sponsors
To Date Are Event Sponsors:
Costanza Builders
VJ Scozzari & Sons, Inc.
McKernan Architects
Angel Sponsors:
Roma Bank
Investors Bank
Freedom Sponsors:
NJ Manufacturers Insurance Co.
Fusion Employer Services
First Commerce Bank
Dumont & Watson
Page 3
“My Two Cents”
By Tim Doherty, Executive Director
Well, we are now two for two—two HMFA Tax Credit applications and Two
awards. Wow what a Summer!
Our first win was for Toms River. In mid July we were notified that we did in fact
win our Tax Credit Award for the construction of 72 barrier free, accessible apartments to be build in Toms River. This project was a culmination of about ten years of work where by
Project Freedom worked first with the PUSH group ( Parents United for Special Housing ) and then as
partner with Toms River to create a winning application. As with our other projects, the town of Toms River
donated land that they had purchased with Housing Trust Funds for their affordable housing obligations.
Our next win, was for Westampton, whereby we are creating 48 units of barrier free accessible housing,
again on land that Westampton was able to purchase with their affordable housing funds. Our discussions
on Westampton started again, years ago, sometime in 2008. I remember taking my “story boards” (building
designs) to the municipal hall for several meetings with Council and the general public at which time we
were questioned about our operations, housing and mission. Once Council gave their approvals, we then
had to work on getting the financing set up, which involves winning the Tax Credit Funding through HMFA.
Other funding applications are also part of this process and involve HOME funds from the county and a
Federal Home Loan Bank application.
Suffice it to say, all of this work takes an enormous amount of time and man hours. It also takes good
strategy so as to present the best possible application to win, because this process is very competitive and
not every project gets funded. Many lose, and some have lost for two or three years in a row, showing how
competitive the process has become. That is because the Tax Credit program is really the only funding
source left which creates affordable housing.
At Project Freedom, we are fortunate to have as our Director of Housing Development, Tracee Battis.
Tracee brings a unique understanding of this process and also of the culture of HMFA, the agency charged
with making the funding awards. For over thirty five years, Tracee was the deputy Director and oversaw
much of this process, as well as the other HMFA programs. She brings a wealth of knowledge and
experience to Project Freedom and we applaud her recent successes with these two awards. Also helping
in this effort, are CFO Steve Schaefer, Marion Doherty and yours truly.
For Project Freedom, this will mean that we will continue to build our portfolio of housing for the next three
years, and will bring our total housing units to 389 ( actually 441 with Trent Center ). All this during a time in
New Jersey when the COAH rules have been suspended pending a Supreme Court ruling. For over two
and a half years, with COAH rules in limbo, not much in the way of municipal housing has been
accomplished across the state. Project Freedom has been fortunate to have projects in the pipeline which
were already funded and under weigh.
That ruling, which was just handed down last week, re-affirmed the appellate court’s ruling of two years ago,
which struck down “growth share” and mandated that COAH revise its third round rules so as to provide a
definite housing number for each town in New Jersey. Now, since there is no higher court than the
Supreme Court of New Jersey, COAH must begin the process of meetings and hearings and revise the
third round rules according to the guidelines set forth by the Supreme Court’s ruling. That process,
established by the Fair Housing Act, known as the Mount Laurel decision, is what helps Project Freedom
create our housing. Hopefully, more Supportive housing can be built in New Jersey now that this question
has been settled. Stay Tuned.
Page 4
From Norman’s Desk
Readers of this column usually read about advocacy efforts from around the
nation. I wanted to again share an article about a favorable summary judgment
decision regarding a law suit against the Port Authority of NY and NJ brought
by New Jersey’s own Heightened Independence and Progress (hip) and the
United Spinal Association. hip (lower case because of a lawsuit with the HIP
health insurance company) is one of our state’s 12 Centers for Independent
Living and very active in advocacy efforts in Bergen and Hudson counties.
A brief history of this suit. In 2002 the Port Authority built a new entrance to an
existing PATH station. PATH is the commuter train line between Jersey City
and Manhattan. They said the new station was necessary in order to
compensate for the destruction of the station at the World Trade Center. A staff person at hip Hudson
observed that there were stairs leading up to the plaza and the new entrance. In fact there are several
steps going up to the plaza and a very long flight going down to the platform.
Needless to say, there is no elevator anywhere.
hip, United Spinal Association and a gentleman with a disability who lives near the station and uses a
wheelchair filed suit under various federal laws including the ADA and Section 504 and were litigating
this case for several years. A federal judge found in their favor two years and ordered the Port
Authority to submit final plans to make the station accessible.
My point in sharing this gain is that disability advocacy happens every day in New Jersey, and it starts
more often than not with one person reporting a “wrong” to an organization willing to take a stand.
Norman A. Smith, Associate Executive Director - [email protected]
Federal judge orders Port
Authority to make Grove
Street PATH station
handicapped-accessible
Published: Thursday, September 08, 2011, 2:31 PM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal
A federal judge has ordered the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey to make the Grove Street PATH station entrance on
Marin Boulevard and Christopher Columbus Drive handicapped
accessible.
Judge Stanley R. Chesler found that the Port Authority has "technically feasible" proposals to make
the entrance compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and ordered it to do so. The
multi-leveled station has no elevators, ramps or lifts, making it inaccessible for riders in wheelchairs.
The suit, brought by two nonprofits representing the disabled, stems from construction on the entrance
that commenced in 2002.
"The court notes that the original impetus for this construction, increased ridership on the PATH system, is all the more reason to accommodate disabled and able-bodied persons alike," the judge wrote
in his Sept. 6 opinion.
In a statement, Robert B. Stulberg, representing the plaintiffs, expressed gratitude that the court
"hastened the day when the disabled will finally be able to use" the PATH station on Grove Street.
Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico declined to comment, citing continued litigation.
Page 5
In First, UN Holds High-Level Disability Summit
By Shaun Heasley
September 24, 2013
Advocates and dignitaries from around the world converged at the United Nations on Monday for the
international body’s first-ever high-level meeting on disabilities.
With more than 1 billion people with disabilities globally, those behind the historic event at U.N. headquarters
in New York said the gathering was convened to encourage inclusion of those with disabilities in all aspects
of life.
“Far too many people with disabilities live in poverty. Too many suffer from social exclusion. Too many are
denied access to education, employment, health care, and social and legal support systems,” said U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who implored leaders to “break barriers and open doors.”
More than 800 representatives from disability organizations attended the meeting, officials said, which
included remarks from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and musician Stevie Wonder, among others.
“I am here before you to ask you to see me,” Loretta Claiborne, a Special Olympics athlete and board
member who has intellectual disability told the gathering Monday afternoon. “Recognize me, and those like
me, when goals and strategies are set. See not our disability, but what we can contribute if we have access
to basic services.”
The U.N. General Assembly adopted an outcome document Monday emphasizing the need for accessibility
and inclusion. What’s more, member states were encouraged to ratify the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, which calls for greater community access and a better standard of living for people
with disabilities around the world.
To date, the United States has signed the treaty, but an effort last year to ratify it was unsuccessful.
Page 6
Robbinsville Events
DATE
DAY
PROGRAM
TIME
5-Oct
Sat
R'ville Yard Sale at Foxmoor
8:00 AM
9-Oct
Wed
Grocery Shopping - Shop Rite
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
9-Oct
Wed
Robbinsville Games
6:30 -8:30 PM
11-Oct
Fri
R'ville - Breast Awareness Talk & Craft
6:30 -8:30 PM
15-Oct
Tue
Robbinsville 23rd Anniversary Celebration
2:00 PM
18-Oct
Fri
Robbinsville Craft - Halloween Craft
6:30 -8:30 PM
25-Oct
Fri
Heart-to-Heart Reiki - Robbinsville
6:00 PM
29-Oct
Tue
Robbinsville Halloween Movies
6:00 -9:00 PM
Page 7
Hamilton Happenings
DATE
DAY
PROGRAM
TIME
2-Oct
Wed
Hamilton/Lawrence Shopping
Bus Leaves PFI 10:00 AM
2-Oct
Wed
Hamilton Craft - Halloween Craft
6:00 -8:00 PM
9-Oct
Wed
Grocery Shopping - Shop Rite
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
11-Oct
Fri
Hamilton - Breast Awareness Talk & Craft
1:30 -3:00 PM
19-Oct
Sat
Hamilton Games & Pumpkin Carving
12:30 –4:30 PM
23-Oct
Wed
PF Halloween Party at Hamilton
Bus Leaves PFI 4:30 PM
Hamilton tenants
enjoy making a
pumpkin craft with
Dana
Lawrence Goings On
DATE
DAY
PROGRAM
TIME
1-Oct
Tue
Lawrence Craft - Halloween Craft
6:00 -8:00 PM
2-Oct
Wed
Hamilton/Lawrence Shopping
Bus Leaves PFI 10 AM
9-Oct
Wed
Grocery Shopping - Shop Rite
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
15-Oct
Tue
Lawrence Craft - Tie-Dye Shirts
6:00 -8:00 PM
18-Oct
Fri
Lawrence Breast Awareness Talk & Craft
2:00 -3:30 PM
30-Oct
Wed
Lawrence Games
6:00 -8:00 PM
Page 9
Crafts Program Produces Colorful Results
Tie-dyed t-shirts are being created at Dana’s craft programs at all three locations.
November
Trip
Preview
Page 10
For Many With Disabilities, Health Screenings
Still Not Covered
By SHAUN HEASLEY July 10, 2013
As the health care reform law expands access to preventive services at the doctor’s office, a new analysis finds that many
with disabilities who rely on Medicaid might be left out. Under the Affordable Care Act, most private insurers and plans
offered through Medicare and the Medicaid expansion program will be required to cover an array of preventive services
ranging from cancer to heart disease screenings. That mandate, however, was not extended to adults who already receive
health benefits through state Medicaid programs.
Now a review of Medicaid policies across the country suggests that most state programs do not offer coverage for all of the
preventive services currently recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. “The Affordable Care Act
guarantees millions of low-income Americans access to mammograms, colonoscopies and other lifesaving preventive
services, but that assurance does not extend to people who currently have Medicaid coverage,” said Chris Hansen,
president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which helped fund the study published in the July issue
of the journal Health Affairs.
For the analysis, researchers at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services reviewed
Medicaid programs from each state and the District of Columbia from June through November 2012. They then contacted
state officials, as needed, to clarify any missing information about coverage. Access to preventive services varied widely,
the study found. Nearly all state Medicaid programs explicitly covered screening mammograms and 36 covered pap
smears. Less than half of state programs, however, covered cholesterol or obesity screenings.
Meanwhile, in a dozen states, Medicaid did not cover well-adult exams meaning that beneficiaries were only able to see a
doctor once they had a health concern, according to the analysis. Compounding the issue, the report authors said, is that
Medicaid policies in many states included confusing language making it unclear precisely what services would be paid for.
October 6
Mirtha Hernandez
October 7
Peter Swierk
October 2
Frank & Becky Summers
October 8
Vinnie Chiavoni
October 21
Frank & Danielle Vitella
October 9
Susan St. John
October 12
Carol McKelvey
October 17
Jacqueline Smith
October 27
Gary Barris
October 28
Rosemary Ciampa
Page 11
October General Recreation
Club Freedom Events Boldfaced and Highlighted
DATE
DAY
PROGRAM
TIME
3-Oct
Thu
Equestrian Riding at Hopewell
Prog. Time Varies
5-Oct
Sat
Aquatics Hamilton YMCA
Bus Leaves PFI 11:30 AM
6-Oct
Sun
Howell Living History Farm- 5 People needed
Bus Leaves PFI 10:30 AM
7-Oct
Mon
Day Program
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
10-Oct
Thu
Equestrian Riding at Hopewell
Program Times Vary
14-Oct
Mon
Columbus Holiday - PF Offices CLOSED
15-Oct
Tue
Movies—Hamilton AMC 24– 4 people needed
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
17-Oct
Thu
Equestrian Riding at Hopewell
Program Times Vary
19-Oct
Sat
Aquatics Hamilton YMCA
Bus Leaves PFI 11:30 AM
21-Oct
Mon
Day Program
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
22-Oct
Tue
Dine Out Lunch - Red Robin- 4 people needed Bus Leaves PFI 11:30 AM
23-Oct
Wed
Halloween Party at Hamilton for all tenants
Bus leaves PFI 4:30 PM
24-Oct
Thu
Equestrian Riding at Hopewell
Program Times Vary
28-Oct
Mon
Day Program
Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM
31-Oct
Thu
Equestrian Riding at Hopewell
Program Times Vary
Project Freedom Inc.
223 Hutchinson Road
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Trenton, NJ
Permit #1083
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Project Freedom Inc. is a 501 (c)(3 ) not for profit organization dedicated to developing, supporting
and advocating opportunities for independent living for people with disabilities
Watch the mail for your
Invitation and join us
for a great evening on
Saturday November 16th