NJ Human Services and Office of Innovation Launch Disability Information Hub

Online Hub Will Connect New Jerseyans to Disability-Related Programs and Services

July 26, 2024

(TRENTON) - Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and State Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole today launched a Disability Information Hub website during a virtual event commemorating Disability Pride Month and the 34^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Day). The Hub, located at NJ.gov/Disabilities, will serve as a one-stop shop to connect New Jerseyans with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and advocates with state services and resources in an accessible format. The Hub and related referral services are among Fiscal Year 2025 investments to support inclusion and services for New Jersey's diverse disability community.

"Across state government, our Administration has pursued equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities, improved access to services, and strengthened supports for this community. For many individuals and families, New Jersey's Disability Information Hub will be a game-changer. Having streamlined, easy access to the State's comprehensive collection of services and supports will put needed tools and resources in reach for countless people," said Governor Phil Murphy. "Together, we are breaking down barriers and empowering all New Jerseyans to thrive in their communities. I commend the whole-of-government effort to uplift the State's disability community."

"The anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act marks significant progress in protecting civil rights and promoting the full inclusion and dignity of people with disabilities. Under the Murphy Administration, Human Services has made substantial investments to better serve and support individuals with disabilities and their families," said DHS Commissioner Sarah Adelman. "The Disability Information Hub is a gateway to a wealth of resources available to this community. We are proud to launch this comprehensive and accessible resource, especially during Disability Pride Month, and could not have done so without the dedicated work of the Office of Innovation and Office of Information Technology, as well as the many individuals with disabilities and fellow state agencies and offices who helped test and improve the website."

"Human-centered government services build trust and lift up communities across New Jersey. The Disability Information Hub represents the insights of dozens of community-based service providers, families, caregivers, and New Jerseyans with disabilities." said New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. "Working with the dedicated team at DHS and partners across the state, we developed this new website as a living resource that was designed with - not just for - those in the broader disability community. I thank Commissioner Adelman and her team, our colleagues at the Office of Information Technology, and the dozens of other partners who contributed their expertise and commitment to delivering this vital resource. We look forward to continually improving it over time to meet the needs of all New Jerseyans."

"The New Jersey Disability Information Hub represents an online one-stop for individuals with disabilities and their families to quickly and easily get information on the services, supports and resources they need to thrive," said NJ Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. "It breaks down bureaucratic barriers to access, employs the latest in accommodating technologies, and allows individuals and caregivers to filter out the information that directly applies to their situation. On behalf of DCF, we commend our partners at the Department of Human Services and the Office of Innovation for launching a service-forward solution that puts government assistance within reach for residents and families throughout the state of New Jersey."

"As we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the creation and dissemination of this website is a great way to pay tribute to disability advocates because this is another step towards freedom, equality, and equity. For a person with disabilities, this can serve as a one-stop shop across your lifespan," said Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities Kevin Nuñez. "One of the biggest issues in the disability community is lack of information, and by launching this wonderful website today, people and families now have more knowledge than I did before."

"The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) applauds the efforts of the Governor, Department of Human Services, and Office of Innovation in taking action to create a Disability Information Hub for individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, and providers to access disability-related information under one umbrella," said Executive Director of NJCDD Mercedes Witowsky. "We are so fortunate to live in a state with a deep commitment to supporting people with disabilities and their loved ones who are now able to utilize a streamlined website to locate and learn about vital state services. NJCDD will spread the word and encourage Hub users to share feedback that maintains the Hub as a valuable resource for all users."

The Disability Information Hub provides New Jerseyans with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and advocates with information about key disability-related state resources and programs. Nearly 200 programs offered by the State of New Jersey can be found through this site. Through the Hub, families can find information on available food, income, and employment assistance programs; caregivers can find information on support programs and services to assist them in caring for their loved ones; and individuals with disabilities can find information on various services including in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, personal care assistance, and education.

The Hub also includes specific pages with resources organized by a person's disability, including curated information for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. The website also features pages covering key programs for caregivers; children with disabilities; veterans; and individuals transitioning from childhood to adulthood. The Hub also highlights supports and services related to mental health, assistive technology, transportation, legal rights and advocacy, employment, and emergency planning.

In Fiscal Year 2025, state funding supports the Disability Information Hub and related Information and Referral staff in the Division of Disability Services. Other notable disability community-focused investments by the Murphy Administration in Fiscal Year 2025 will expand training requirements for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs); increase wages in the Personal Preference Program, Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving, Statewide Respite Care Program, and for DSPs; expand the NJ WorkAbility program; and increase respite care service hours in the Children's System of Care.

The Hub meets WCAG and Section 508 accessibility requirements, uses high-contrast colors, and is compatible with screen readers. The website is designed to be easy to navigate, and has incorporated direct feedback from residents with disabilities. The Hub also features a welcome video in American Sign Language (ASL), which can be viewed here.

For users who need additional help navigating the website and accessing services, the Hub prominently features how to request live assistance from the Information & Referral (I&R) Service in Human Services' Division of Disability Services. Users can reach this service by calling 1-800-285-3036. I&R's community resource specialists will walk callers through available programs, eligibility requirements, and application processes. ASL videophone service is also available for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing and sign language users. To reach this service, call 1-609-503-4862. Individuals with hearing loss who are not sign language users can connect with the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) by calling 609-588-2648.

The development and design processes have incorporated input from individuals with lived experience, from state agencies and offices, and from external partners. With feedback options on every page, the Hub welcomes additional user feedback to further evolve this website to better serve the disability community.

"The Hub represents a whole-of-government approach centered on people with disabilities. From community surveys and focus groups to user testing with individuals with lived experience, this Hub was created with the input of those with disabilities at the forefront to better serve this community," said Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire. "It is imperative to plan for the success of all New Jerseyans, and that includes online spaces."

"We were pleased to be part of this collaboration, bringing essential services to the public," said New Jersey State Chief Technology Officer Chris Rein. "Our partnership with the Office of Innovation in creating the website content and managing user testing, while we concentrated on design and development, exemplified the power of teamwork. We are proud of the result of this joint effort."

"More than one million New Jerseyans have at least one disability, that's nearly 20 percent of our state's population. The creation of this Hub will ensure 1 in 5 of our loved ones, family members, or friends have access to key services and programs in a streamlined format to make informed decisions about one's health and well-being," said Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Executive Director Elizabeth Hill. "Everyone deserves the same access to essential information, and this Hub ensures that. For those who are deaf and hard of hearing, additional translation efforts are forthcoming and we urge these individuals to contact us at the numbers listed above if you are in need of additional information."

"For individuals with disabilities, their families and those who care for them, it is not always easy to know where to start looking for resources. The Disability Information Hub offers a streamlined guide for New Jerseyans to find essential disability-related information," said Division of Disability Services Executive Director Peri Nearon. "We look forward to seeing how this Hub will positively impact those it serves and urge users to leave feedback, so we can continue to properly serve the disability community as a whole."

To watch a demo of how to navigate the Information Disability Hub, click here.

To read a quick start guide for caregivers, click here.

For a PDF version of key services and supports profiled in the Hub, visit the NJ Resource Guide available from the Department of Human Services' Division of Disability Services.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.