Advisory Committees

PAIMI Advisory Council  

Disability Rights NJ’s authority is found in the federal scheme of protection and advocacy statutes, including the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act, also known as PAIMI. The PAIMI Act requires Disability Rights NJ to establish an advisory council comprised of volunteers from the public committed to the interests of individuals with mental illness in New Jersey.  Members include individuals with lived experience as well as family members, attorneys, mental health professional, people who work in the mental health field, and others who are knowledgeable about mental illness. At least 60% of the advisory council membership must be individuals with lived experience or family members. The advisory council meets several times a year, and it helps Disability Rights NJ develop our policies and priorities for individuals with significant mental illness. It also helps advise Disability Rights NJ on our progress related to these priorities. 

ATAC Advisory Council

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) is New Jersey’s implementing agency for the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to provide advice and guidance to ATAC and assure that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) of 1998, as amended. The requirement to establish an advisory council “to provide consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice to the State for, planning of, implementation of, and evaluation of the activities carried out through the grant, including setting the measurable goals” is in the AT Act. Membership must include a representative from the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce Investment Board, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Department of Education,  and a member from a Center for Independent Living. Along with representative from other state agencies and community stakeholders, a majority (51%) must be individuals with disabilities that use assistive technology or the family members or guardians of the individuals.

ATAC is currently seeking interested individuals to join our Advisory Council in order to provide guidance on the delivery of effective Assistive Technology services statewide. Interested parties should email [email protected].