The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project

News & Updates

UPCOMING EVENT: Join NJSSAN Members for a special panel discussion about council meetings, advocacy, and how to get involved! Register here for the event on February 28th, 2025 at 3pm

NEW MERCH AVAILABLE! Shop here to support the NJSSAN and the Councils! All products were made by NJSSAN members!

• Check out our Training page to request a training for your group! Webinars are held every Tuesday at 2 PM. Registration and archived webinars can be found here. 
• Register for our interactive Zoom series: Healthy Lifestyles Project: Live! These events are held every Wednesday at 11 AM and Friday at 1 PM.
• Join us for our weekly Brain Games on Zoom each Thursday at 1 PM.
• Learn about our monthly self-advocacy meetings in your region here.
• Follow along with our #HLP video trainings on our Instagram, Facebook, and our YouTube channel.
• Looking for resources on technology or internet safety? Click here!
• Looking to support self-advocates? You can donate to NJSAP or the NJSSAN Councils here.

About Us

The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project (NJSAP) was established in 1983 to challenge individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become involved in events, legislative policies, and issues that affect their lives or lives of others with disabilities. 

We work together with these individuals to form The New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (NJSSAN), which is used as means of supporting positive change on both a personal and social level. The NJSSAN consists of five Councils based on geographic location within the state. To learn more about the NJSSAN and how to attend monthly Council meetings, click here.

Our work includes conducting trainings and leadership seminars for self-advocates and group advisors across the state, supporting more than 150 self-advocacy groups across the state, facilitating fundraising and public outreach initiatives, conducting presentations to community groups, schools and conference audiences, and educating state legislators regarding issues of importance to people with disabilities.

The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project team relies on donations from people like you to help us continue to promote self-advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more here.

NJSAP Theme Song

"It Starts With Us" is the theme song for the NJ Self-Advocacy Project (NJSAP) created by New Jersey Self Advocates with The Blue Light Music Program. Music by The Blue Light Music Program. Vocals provided by Christopher G., Shaina C., Lexi Y., Simon A., Patrick K., Joey K. and Kim C.

Interested a free workshop at your location?

Check out our training page!

Interested our Health and Wellness program?

Find out more about the Healthy Lifestyles Project, funded by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

NJSAP Publications

The Self Advocate:  A bi-annual newsletter produced the New Jersey Self Advocacy Project (NJSAP) team. The Self Advocate contains registration information for  two major events hosted by the New Jersey Statewide Self Advocacy Network: the Fall Conference and the Spring Into Action Luncheon.  The publication also contains information about monthly meetings, training and educational opportunities, as well as legislative advocacy efforts.

Advocacy Matters: A monthly e-newsletter geared to providing self-advocacy group advisors and network members with training tips and information about upcoming events, along with features of the most recent advocacy activities hosted by members of the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (NJSSAN).

For further information, check out these helpful handouts!

Social Media

Follow The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube!