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The Civic Action and Engagement Initiative was put together as a collaboration between the Atlantic Center for Independent Living (ACIL) and the Mental Health Association of Atlantic County (MHAAC). The grant came about from an idea to help people with disabilities (physical, developmental, mental, etc.) get involved in creating real, authentic, and positive change for the community on a government level. So often we say, “I wish this were different”, yet we do not feel like we can actually change it. This grant is centered around getting 

involved civically and making the difference we want to see. This grant was created and organized, in part, by people with disabilities, who know the community’s struggles firsthand. It was created to be accessible and long-term, to truly make difference for the disability community at large. This initiative was funded by an Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant from the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services.

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• Curriculum: the grant consists of 24 workshops, divided into 4 modules (description below).  These workshops are aimed to teach people with disabilities how to get involved politically. What we can do, how we can do it, and tips and tricks on how to make change.
• Coaching: Our CAEI coach works on the grant to help those who would like to, get involved. Should a member decide they want to get involved, they have the ability to meet for an hour a month to make sure that they are effectively working towards their personal civic goals.

• Community Engagement: Our team works to also provide community outreach and advocacy to and for the disabled community. The program aims to work on podcasts, social media posts, community events, and one statewide networking opportunity and advocacy event.

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Module One: Skill Building and Self-Improvement

• Self-confidence
• Active listening
• Emotional regulation
• Public Speaking
• Negotiation
• Compromise

Module Two: Government Function

• Local vs State vs Federal government
• Who are your representatives?
• How a bill becomes a law
• Recognizing misinformation
• Your rights and responsibilities under the law

Module Three: Effective Action

• How to build coalitions and alliances to create systemic change
• Disability history
• Diversity, inclusion, and equity

Module 4: Building on Success

• Nurturing relationships
• Politics
• Measuring successes
• Following up on action
• How you can become involved in the community
• Different disability stakeholder organizations

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