Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities of New Jersey

The mission of the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD), a New Jersey statewide association of non-profit organization, is to affect the development and implementation of public policy and to support the member agencies whose specific purpose is to improve the lives of people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities so that they have the opportunity to attain the highest level of purpose and dignity. ABCD provides policy analysis, information, education, and advocacy on behalf of ABCD’s member agencies and their clients.

ABCD's member agencies provide an array of community based services to more than 15,000 people with developmental disabilities and their families in all 21 counties of New Jersey.

ABCD accomplishes this mission through:

Information: Provide up-to-date information on national and state legislative and executive disability-related initiatives.

Policy Analysis: Analyze national and state policies and trends that impact people with developmental disabilities.

Representation of member agencies: Represent member agencies at the policy table during legislative and administrative policy development and initiation.

Forum for Information Exchange : Provide a forum for collegial exchange of trends, information, and joint administrative support.

Communication with other community organizations with similar missions: Provide information and resources to communicate with other community organizations regarding disability and accessibility issues.

Public education: Provide opportunity for increased community awareness about people with multiple disabilities and their needs.

Support research and new responses on the needs of persons with disabilities:

Develop and support innovative responses to the needs of people with disabilities.

Priority Areas: · Early Intervention · Special Education · Managed Care · Community Services