ABILITIES OF NORTHWEST JERSEY, INC.
ACCESSIBILITY PLAN
Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc. is dedicated to improving the employability and quality of life of people with disabilities by providing training and individualized services.
The Board of Directors, management and staff are committed to the principle of removing attitudinal, architectural, employment, environmental, financial, communication, transportation and any other barrier in order for people with disabilities to access program services and have integrated opportunities. The organization will provide reasonable accommodations so that people with disabilities may gain access and actively participate in agency services.
Priorities for goal completion in this accessibility plan are listed as A, B, or C, with A being the highest priority in terms of completion dates.
A. Architectural
Abilities’ headquarters, located at 264 Route 31 North in Washington was designed and built in 1991 using the NJBOCA building code manual to assure full accessibility of the physical plant. This building includes administration, the community rehabilitation center, Washington ATC and the Medical Special Needs Program. All satellite sites are accessible.
· Barrier: Two “handicap” spaces in front of main facility are not designed to
code
Solution: 1. Use additional space to paint accessible code lines
Priority A: Completed
Cost: $200
Funding source: unrestricted funds
Due date: June 2015
Responsibility: Warehouse Manager
· Barrier: Sidewalk ramp in front of main facility is disintegrated causing wheelchairs to get stuck
Solution: Repair ramp
Priority A: In process
Cost: $1000
Funding source: Program revenue, unrestricted funds
Due date: September 2016
Responsibility: Operations supervisor
· Barrier: Handicap bathroom stalls in CRP do not allow for large wheelchair accessibility
Solution: Utilize Admin bathroom temporarily. Modify stall doors permanently to allow access for all size wheelchairs
Priority B: In process
Cost: $1500
Funding source: Unrestricted reserves
Due date: June 2017
Responsibility: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
Accessibility Plan Pg. 2 of 7
B. Environmental
Environmental barriers are usually addressed immediately upon an issue being raised. Examples of recent environmental changes are the use of headsets for consumers who are easily distracted or who may become irritable from excessive noise; and more comfortable soft cushioned, armed chairs which add safety and comfort to a consumer’s work station.
· Barrier: Tables lack adjustability for height differences, chairs for size and comfortability
Solution: Purchase tables and chairs/stools with adjustable legs (includes bariatric chairs)
Priority A: Ongoing
Cost: $2,000
Funding Source: Unrestricted funds
Due date: Process continues based on needs
Responsibility: Production Manager, Director of Program Services
· Barrier: Heating issues at main facility
Solution: Create backup/facility plan to address alternatives and develop policies on program dismissal
Priority A: Completed May 2015
Cost: $500
Funding Source: Operational budget
Due date: June 2015
Responsibility: Safety committee, Chief Financial Officer
· Barrier: Phillipsburg leased space deemed difficult for prospective stakeholders to access
Solution: Research purchasing a larger, more visible, accessible building
Priority B: In process
Cost: $500,000-$750,000
Funding Source: Mortgage/reserves
Due date: Move in by May 2017
Responsibility: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
Accessibility Plan Pg. 3 of 7
C. Attitudinal
The agency is proactive in focusing on appropriate terminology in all of its marketing materials and correspondence. Concentrating on each person’s abilities vs. disabilities is its major theme. The agency provides staff with regular trainings i.e. sensitivity, anti-discrimination.
· Barrier: Is the use of the word “consumer” appropriate?
Solution: Review all materials and replace with person first language i.e. individual or persons served or service recipient
Priority B
Cost: $2000
Funding source: Operating funds
Due date: December 2017
Responsibility: Chief Executive Officer, department heads
· Barrier: Knowledgeable employee workforce
Solution: Adopt a mandatory training curriculum emphasizing proper care, sensitivity, abuse and neglect, assistive technology
Priority A: Completed and ongoing
Cost: $2,000
Funding source: Operating funds
Due date: Ongoing annual refreshers and mandatory trainings for new hires
Responsibility: Human Resources Manager, Operations Supervisor
D. Financial
With the announcement of NJ DHS plan to transition from contract based funding to Medicaid fee-for-service in late 2012, preliminary analysis has determined that this will have a negative impact agency-wide. Management has implemented a “10 Point Plan” to offset the loss of funding and access non-governmental funds.
· Barrier: Reduction in funds for DDD services will affect programs agency-wide
Solution: Implement 10 point plan to bridge the gap i.e. private foundation grant access, expense reduction via vendor reviews and health plan modification, M&A&A exploration
Priority A: Ongoing
Cost: Varies
Funding source: Reserves
Due date: Began in FY13 and remains an ongoing process
Responsibility: Board of Directors Finance Committee, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
Accessibility Plan Pg. 4 of 7
E. Employment
The national, regional and local unemployment rate for PWD remains unacceptable. As an Employment First agency, it is our responsibility to provide as many different training opportunities as possible to meet the needs and interests of individuals served. These customized trainings should result in an increased number of individuals being prepared for, or placed in, competitive community employment.
· Barrier: High unemployment rate and lack of community job opportunities
Solution: Seek additional funding to create sustainable customized skill training opportunities. Increase career/exploration, job sampling opportunities for those ready but unable to find jobs. Increase job development efforts.
Priority A
Cost: Grant writer allocation - $5000.
Funding source: DVRS, County, United Way, private grants
Due date: Ongoing analysis
Responsibility: Chief Development Officer, Director of Employment Services, Chief Executive Officer
F. Communication
With unprecedented system and legislative changes occurring since 2013, it is imperative that we provide communication to all stakeholders in an understandable format. It is in turn, imperative that individuals served are able to communicate their needs or concerns with the agency.
· Barrier: Ensure website and social media and other forms of
communication offer ease of navigation and use
Solution: Incorporate review with marketing rebranding
Priority B
Cost: $23,000
Funding source: Unrestricted funds
Due date: December 2016
Responsibility: Chief Development Officer, Marketing & Events Coordinator, Business Developer
· Barrier: Non-verbal individuals served need additional means of
communicating
Solution: Research and implement tablet technology and communications applications
Priority B
Cost: $5000
Funding source: Program revenue
Due date: January 2015 and ongoing
Responsibility: Director of Program Services, Chief Financial Officer
Accessibility Plan Pg. 5 of 7
G. Technology
The agency considers technology a critical component to access employment and other services for individuals. It is also critical to utilize technology to promote efficiencies and accessibility in service operations.
· Barrier: Data on individuals served is not accessible agency-wide
Solution: Implement Electronic Health Record system and train staff to utilize efficiently
Priority A
Cost: $30,000 per year
Funding source: Operating funds
Due date: May 2016
Responsibility: Chief Financial Officer, QA/EHR Specialist
· Barrier: Individuals served have limited access to technology at their place
place of residence
Solution: Provide tablet, laptop and desktop technology to research employment opportunities via the internet
Priority A: Completed and ongoing
Cost: $20,000
Funding source: Operating funds
Due date: June 2015 and ongoing
Responsibility: Chief Financial Officer
H. Transportation
Abilities has a long history of providing transportation or arranging transportation solutions to its’ largely transportation dependent consumer population. Other than its own fleet of vehicles, which provides twenty-one fixed routes daily, the agency has been contracting with county para-transit since the mid-1980’s.
Agency staff have actively participated on the Warren County Transportation Advisory Council since its inception. The agency was successfully designated as a hub for the Route 57 and 31 shuttle service which enables consumers to travel county-wide at a nominal fee per trip.
Agency owned vehicles, staff vehicles, taxi service, van pooling, co-worker rides are all additional methods of transporting people.
· Barrier: Agency fleet should expand to at least 50% wheelchair accessible.
2016 fleet is at 38%
Solution: Capital purchase or alternate financing
Priority A through C
Cost: $35,000 to $300,000
Funding source: State of New Jersey, Federal Transit Administration, Bank Loan, Leasing Company, Unrestricted funds
Accessibility Plan Pg. 6 of 7
Due date: Multi-tiered replacement schedule
Responsibility: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
· Barrier: Efficient use of vehicles
Solution: GPS tracking
Priority B: In process
Cost: $18,000
Funding source: Reserves
Due date: June 2017
Responsibility: Chief Financial Officer, Operations Supervisor
· Barrier: Restore and expand off-hour and weekend transportation
Solution: Advocate for funding to expand para-transit hours of service
Priority A through C
Cost: Unknown
Funding source: County of Warren, Federal grants
Due date: Ongoing unmet need
Responsibility: Chief Executive Officer
I. Community Integration
While our region of the state of NJ is beautiful, it is also rural which presents challenges for community integration opportunities for individuals served. Our team excels at providing different options, but there is always room for improvement.
· Barrier: Rural area is not conducive to a variety of community services or public transportation
Solution: Charge team leaders with connecting with local businesses and non-profit organizations to enhance employment, integration and volunteer opportunities
Priority C: In process
Cost: Varies
Funding source: Operating funds
Due date: December 2017 and ongoing
Responsibility: Director of Program Services, Director of Employment Services
*************************************************************************************************************
Accessibility Plan Pg. 7 of 7
This accessibility plan is to be reviewed annually. More importantly, the content cross-references aspects of the agency Strategic Plan, Marketing Plan and Outcomes Management. In this way, specific content is reviewed much more regularly.
The agency recognizes its responsibility of advocating for community integration of the persons served. From the agency mission statement of “promoting independence,” to the work of its board, administration, staff and service recipients on all community, governmental and civic organizations, a commitment has been made to create an inclusive society.
Designated individuals serve on chambers of commerce, employer councils, work investment boards, advisory committees, and the like. The agency has an active business advisory committee and promotes job fairs and community outreach.
Standing committees of the organization including the job club, safety committee, outcomes management and strategic plan committees will continue to look at factors which would impede accessibility.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations can be made as requested by a consumer through their facility case manager. The case manager will take the request to the Chief Executive Officer who will direct the request to the appropriate standing committee. The standing committee will review and make a decision on the accommodation and submit such to the Chief Executive Officer.
If an accommodation cannot be made, a referral will be made to other community resources that may be of assistance.
Revised: 12/03, 5/04, 5/12, 7/13, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16