The 37 Most Obsessed-Over Gadgets of the Year
15 Acronyms and Abbreviations You See Every Day — and What They Mean
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The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging is holding a hearing on December 3, 2025 on the importance of community living for older adults and disabled people. The Committee’s Democratic staff is collecting stories about the programs that help people live and participate fully in their communities, especially Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
More than 4.5 million disabled people and older adults rely on HCBS, largely funded by Medicaid. Cuts to Medicaid would lengthen waiting lists and depress wages for the essential workers who provide these services.
AAPD is preparing a statement for the record and would like to include personal stories from disabled people, families, and caregiversthat show why strong funding for HCBS and related supports matters.
Please submit your story by 12:00 PM ET on Sunday, December 7. |
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If helpful, you can use this brief template:
Dear Senators,
Hello, my name is [Your Name] from [City, State], and I am writing to share how Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and other services and supports positively affect my life. These programs enable me to live, work, and thrive in my community.
How These Services Support My Independence
[Describe the services you receive (e.g., HCBS, personal attendant services, CIL programs, transportation supports, assistive technology, peer support, etc.) and explain how they help you live independently.]
Impact on Education, Employment, and Community Participation
[Explain how these supports help you succeed in school, at work, or in other community settings. You may include examples such as getting to and from work, completing daily living tasks, accessing accommodations, or participating in community events.]
Why These Programs Matter
[Share why stable, reliable funding for HCBS, CILs, and related supports is crucial. Explain what could happen if these services were cut or unavailable in your city or state.]
Thank you for considering my story and learning more about how these services help me thrive in my community. I hope you will continue to support these essential programs.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Thank you for helping us advocate for strong, community-based supports for millions of disabled Americans.
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Planning to travel for Thanksgiving? NJ TRANSIT is adding extra service to get you where you need to go—and your kids ride free. The Family SuperSaver Fare lets up to two children 11 and younger ride free with each paying adult from Wednesday, November 26 at 7 p.m. through Monday, January 5 at 2 a.m. Extra rail and bus service will be running throughout the holiday weekend, with special service on Wednesday afternoon for early holiday getaways and additional trains on Thanksgiving Day heading to and from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Pro tip: Download the NJ TRANSIT mobile app for Android or iPhone to buy tickets on your phone and skip lines at ticket windows. |
Looking for a meaningful gift that keeps giving? Open an NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan for a child in your life. With the free Ugift tool, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends can contribute directly to the account without opening their own. New Jersey residents with gross income of $200,000 or less can deduct up to $10,000 in annual NJBEST contributions from state taxes ($20,000 for married couples). Account owners earning less than $75,000 per year can apply for an extra boost: a one-time, dollar-for-dollar state match up to $750 for initial deposits on new NJBEST accounts. All growth is tax-free when used for qualified education expenses. |
Unless they came from Chicago to play football, bears can't use the New Jersey Turnpike. Neither can timber rattlesnakes, blue-spotted salamanders, or any of the other endangered wildlife that call New Jersey home. You can help NJ Fish & Wildlife identify places where roadways are impeding wildlife movement with the NJ Wildlife Tracker app. Use NJ Wildlife Tracker on any web-enabled device to report rare wildlife sightings and any animal sightings on roadways. An informative YouTube video further explains the State's efforts to keep its wildlife habitats connected. |
Crossing guards in New Jersey have been injured and killed by vehicles while performing their duties. These incidents are preventable and often occur during low-visibility conditions—particularly as daylight decreases during fall and winter months. Most collisions result from inattentive or careless driving near schools. If you drive near school zones, especially during morning and afternoon hours, reduce your speed, eliminate distractions, and remain alert. Crossing guards stand in traffic to protect children. Your attention and caution are essential to their safety. |
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NJ Transit
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USPS Operation Santa: (https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/) The United States Postal Service is responsible for the nation’s letters. Thousands are sent to Santa and the North Pole each year. Anyone in the United States can write a letter to Santa no matter their religion or denomination. The mission of the USPS Operation Santa program is to answer these letters and The USPS Operation Santa® program invites people to adopt and respond to them. Here’s how to adopt a letterhttps://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/how-to-adopt To participate, every adopter must complete an ID verification and plan to ship all gifts by December 13. |
