The Arc of New Jersey News and Announcements
Thursday, May 8th "Advocate's Day at the Statehouse"
sponsored by The Arc of New Jersey
Click here to see news releases, fact sheets and more information
The Arc of New Jersey Family Ambassador Robert Hage and Executive Director Thomas Baffuto address the Senate Budget Committee on the State Proposed FY 2009 Budget
On March 20, 2008 Robert Hage and Thomas Baffuto testified before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Their message included their concerns for funding for individuals with
developmental disabilities. Click here to see their testimony.
The Arc of New Jersey Holds News Conference on March 6, 2008 Calling Attention to the 8,012 person waiting list for community residential supports. Click here for more information.
Bruce Bird Responds to Exploitation of Women with Down syndrome in the February 1st Bombing in Baghdad
Below is the text of President Bird's Letter to the Editor, distributed to the press:
February 5, 2008
To the Editor:
It was an act so appalling I could not imagine it could be true. I read with horror the news story of how two women with Down syndrome - with limited intellectual ability - were identified as the
"suicide bombers" in the February 1st attack in a Baghdad pet market. Let's be perfectly clear - they
were not "suicide" bombers. They were dreadfully and mercilessly murdered as the means to a despicable act of carnage. They were horribly used and exploited simply because their disability made
them vulnerable to the manipulation of individuals who have no respect for human life.
Through the years we have read countless stories of how individuals with developmental disabilities
are abused, exploited, tortured and reviled. We hear these stories and it compels the majority of people
to work even harder to end the stereotypes, discrimination and hatred. This act of senseless cruelty in
Baghdad defies all comprehension and compels us to ask "how can a human being do this to another human being?"
People with developmental disabilities are not that different than you or I. They have hopes and dreams, challenges and successes. They have yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. They should not be
treated as expendable pawns, or cruelly used at the hands of immoral murderers. The world should be outraged at this senseless and shameful act.
Bruce A. Bird, Ph.D.
President
The Arc of New Jersey
The Arc of NJ Invited to Testify Before Congressional Committee
 On January 16, 2008, The Arc of NJ testified before the
House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ). The topic of the hearing was "Helping Families with Needed Care:
Medicaid's Critical Role for Americans with Disabilities". Celine Fortin, Associate Executive Director of The Arc of
New Jersey represented the organization at the hearing and highlighted concerns with recent changes made to Medicaid by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS), and pending federal
legislation that would assist individuals with disabilities, including the CLASS Act, Community Choice Act and the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and security Act. To see copy of Celine's
testimony click here.
Action Alerts and Comments
Click here to access current Action Alerts and Comments released by The Arc of New Jersey
News Items
The Arc of New Jersey is pleased to announce that on July 1, 2007, our programs and services in
Hudson County were officially incorporated into The Arc of Hudson County, and independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Congratulations to the new Board of Directors chaired by Chris Irizarry and
newly appointed Executive Director, Sandra Vasquez. The new local county chapter of The Arc can be reached at (201) 319-9229 or email.
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