NJ Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

08/17/2026

This Thursday is August's DDD Update Webinar!

To register, go to this link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/891298662073414488

08/14/2026

UPDATE: As of 1:20 PM on 8/14/2026, the issue has been resolved.

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We are experiencing technical difficulties with our email today - 8/14/2026.

If you are having difficulty getting in contact with us today, please call our mainline at 609-984-7764.

We will provide an update when the issue is resolved. Thank you.

08/12/2026

To celebrate the contributions of our summer intern, Hannah, on her last day, our team took a tour of the New Jersey State House. A rising senior at Boston University studying Political Science and International Relations, Hannah tracked legislation and researched Ombudsman Offices across the nation for us, along with supporting our database operations. She also attended the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing for S.2456, a bill requiring school bus personnel to call 911 during life threatening emergencies, during her time with us.

Best wishes, Hannah!

08/07/2026

Lisa and Amanda had a wonderful time touring & learning more about Matheny Medical and Educational Center earlier this week! Thank you to everyone who took the time to introduce themselves & share more about the amazing work being done!

This content belongs to Matheny Medical and Educational Center

Our Office’s goal is to share content that is relevant to the I/DD community. If you are unable to access this post, please contact us at [email protected] for assistance

07/30/2026

Last week, Ombudsman Lisa Montalbano, had the wonderful opportunity to tour the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence (SCHI). During her visit, she met with staff and students while also learning more about the specialized programs the school offers its students. Thank you to everyone involved!

07/28/2026

Earlier today, Christine Bakter spoke before the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus on behalf of the Special Education Task Force along with other panelists such as Acting Assistant Commissioner of New Jersey Department of Education's Office of Special Education Kim Murray, and family advocate & mother Anabela Rossi.

Our office would like to extend our thanks to Senator Anthony Bucco and the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities for leading the discussion today on School Bus Safety for Students with Disabilities.

A recording of the Caucus meeting will be available shortly for anyone who was not able to attend today on NJCDD's website here: https://njcdd.org/legislative-disability-caucus-schedule-and-recording/

07/24/2026

The next New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus will be held on July 28th at 12 PM! The focus of this webinar will be on school bus safety for students with disabilities.

Register Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MARhY00CQ8avR5dS4lFUTQ?sftoken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE3ODQ3NDMxNDgsImV4cCI6MTc4NDc0MzIwOCwiaW5kaXZpZHVhbElkIjoiMDAzVkkwMDAwMEw4R1FpWUFOIiwidGVuYW50SWQiOiJhMzYwL3Byb2Q1LzFiZTVhMjViYmM0NjQ1NDNiZTAyN2Y0ZDliNTk2ZmFlIiwiY29yZVRlbmFudElkIjoiY29yZS9wcm9kLzAwREhwMDAwMDAyTFZKWk1BNCJ9.BiqYBgssL3dNEN1lEqNkpUbQS9muQFBI68qmi4EUMZ0 #/registration

This content belongs to The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities

Our Office’s goal is to share content that is relevant to the I/DD community. If you are unable to access this post, please contact us at [email protected] for assistance

At the July 28 session of the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus, we will explore school bus safety for students with disabilities, including the Special Education Transportation Task Force, the DOE Special Ed office’s initiatives
taken around school bus safety, and requirements for school bus personnel to contact 911
in life-threatening emergencies. Register now to attend: https://bit.ly/0728NJLegislativeDisabilityCaucus

07/22/2026

Our office wants to share the "Transportation Considerations for Students with Disabilities" guide!

Created by the New Jersey Department of Education: "This resource guide on bus safety for students with disabilities is designed to provide essential information, tips, and best practices to help students with disabilities, families and school district personnel confidently navigate developing a robust transportation IEP for the student."

To access the guide, please go to this link:https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/policy/documents/TransportationConsiderationsForSWD_2025.pdf

07/20/2026

This Thursday is the date of July's DDD Update Webinar!

To register, go to this link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7341837613607325018

07/17/2026

Deputy Director, Christine Bakter, is the office's governor-appointed designee for the Special Education Task Force that just met in-person this past Wednesday.

Established under P.L. 2025, c. 130 - the Task Force is charged with examining current transportation practices for students who receive special education and related services. This includes the identification and response to medical and behavioral emergencies on school buses.

Christine and the other members will review practices across New Jersey and in other states and will provide recommendations to the Department and the Legislature.

To learn more about the legislation, go here:https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/PL25/301_.PDF