ACCSES Clean

09/14/2026

STAR Conference Keynote Speaker Announced: Tanner Gers!

ACCSES NJ is excited to announce that Paralympian, entrepreneur, and disability employment advocate Tanner Gers will deliver this year's STAR Conference keynote address. In his presentation, Transformational or Artificial Leadership?, Tanner will explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies are reshaping the workplace and what leaders can do to ensure individuals with disabilities remain connected to meaningful employment opportunities.

A U.S. Paralympian, Hall of Fame athlete, business leader, and nationally recognized speaker, Tanner brings a unique combination of lived experience, innovation, and leadership to the conference stage. As CEO of AccessAbility Officer, he has demonstrated that inclusive hiring practices can succeed in the competitive marketplace, building a company where more than 80% of employees are individuals with significant disabilities. His powerful message challenges audiences to think differently about leadership, opportunity, and the future of employment while exploring how organizations can embrace change without losing sight of their mission. Attendees can look forward to a dynamic keynote that will spark meaningful conversations about innovation, inclusion, and the evolving world of work long after the conference concludes.

Learn More at: About • AccessAbility Officer's Mission to Empower Accessibility • AccessAbility Officer https://hubs.la/Q04xhhXS0
Ready to join us at STAR Conference 2026? Register Today https://hubs.la/Q04xhh-T0

Meet the leaders behind AccessAbility Officer, dedicated to empowering the disability community. Discover our journey, achievements, and how we are making a difference through accessibility and inclusion.

09/14/2026

We’re grateful to recognize CVR as a sponsor of this year’s STAR Conference and appreciate their generous support!

CVR, the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation, is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and special needs achieve greater independence and reach their vocational potential. Through services such as vocational training, employment support, and behavioral health programs, CVR empowers people to build skills, find meaningful work, and thrive in their communities.

08/13/2026

We’re pleased to recognize Benefit Concepts as a Conference Sponsor of this year’s STAR Conference, and we sincerely appreciate their generous support!

Benefit Concepts provides financial and benefits guidance that begins with an in-depth review of each client’s current financial situation and goals. Their services include group employee benefits (medical, dental, life, and disability), 401(k) retirement plans and services, life insurance, investment products and services, annuities, and long-term care insurance.

Benefit Concepts (https://hubs.la/Q04sznkQ0)

08/11/2026

We are deeply grateful to Bestwork Industries for the Blind for their generous contribution as a Premium Sponsor of this year’s STAR Conference!

Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc. is an organization that addresses the high unemployment rate among visually impaired individuals by offering meaningful employment, training, and career development opportunities. Through their manufacturing and business services, they support customers including federal, state, and local government, producing items such as U.S. Navy apparel and accessories.

Bestwork Industries for the Blind | Non-Profit Organization (https://hubs.la/Q04sBhrZ0)

08/10/2026

Congratulations to Lisa Montalbano on her appointment as New Jersey's Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their Families. Throughout her career, Lisa has been a dedicated advocate and leader within New Jersey's disability community. Through her leadership she has worked to expand opportunities and strengthen supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her experience as a provider leader gives her a valuable understanding of the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing the individuals, families, and organizations she will serve in this role. We look forward to working with Lisa in her new capacity and are confident her experience, insight, and commitment will positively impact individuals and families throughout New Jersey.

08/10/2026

Congratulations to Cyndy Walsh-Rintzler on her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Employment Horizons! Cyndy has long been a respected leader, advocate, and trusted voice within New Jersey's disability community. Through her service on the State Rehabilitation Council, leadership within the Union County Workforce Development Board Disabilities Committee, and strong support of advocacy efforts across our field, she has consistently worked to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Her collaborative approach and commitment to service have made a meaningful impact throughout New Jersey. We congratulate Cyndy on this well-deserved achievement and wish her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter at Employment Horizons.

Employment Horizons - Providing Jobs for People with Disabilities (https://hubs.la/Q04sn_d30)

We provide job placement and training to people with disabilities and other special needs in the greater Morris County, NJ area.

07/26/2026

Today marks 36 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law — a landmark moment that changed lives and opened doors for millions of Americans. 🎉 The ADA reminds us that equality isn't a privilege; it's a right. Here's to continuing the work of building a more accessible, inclusive world.

07/13/2026

📢 Registration is Open — ACCSES NJ STAR Conference 2026

Secure your spot for this year's STAR Conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ this October!

Beyond the networking, the connections, and an unforgettable evening at the Plum Lounge, this year's conference is packed with valuable, CEU-eligible sessions for government professionals.

This year's lineup includes:
✅ COOP Purchasing using DepCor, DSS and DPP
✅ Overview of New Laws and Local Finance Notices in Local Public Contract Law
✅ The Intersection of Records Management and IT
✅ NEW: Records Management and Law Enforcement Records
✅ A brand-new session on AI in Government, because the future is here, and it's shaping how we work
✅ And more to be added!

FREE admission for state & local government attendees
Discounted hotel room block available (limited — book now!)

👉 Register today: https://hubs.la/Q04pfsrp0
See you in Atlantic City! 🎰✨

Join us for the 2026 STAR Conference, themed “Revolutionizing Employment Opportunities.” From October 6–8, we invite you to the iconic Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for an inspiring event focused on the future of workforce transformation.

07/04/2026

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of ordinary people staked everything on an extraordinary idea: that liberty belongs to everyone.
Today, we celebrate not just a nation's birthday, but the enduring promise of that idea. Here's to the next 250 years. 🇺🇸

07/02/2026

✨ Member Success Story Spotlight: InspiriTec
Behind everything our association stands for are the remarkable individuals who pour themselves into this work each and every day, and we're thrilled to shine a light on one of their stories.
We invited our member organizations to help us honor the outstanding team members who elevate this field and make it what it is. Each story is a powerful testament to the purpose that drives this work and the talented, compassionate people who bring it to life. Meet:

Robert Mata
Customer Service Representative
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Contact Center

"Most people attend postsecondary education, and/or enter the workforce, to prepare themselves to advance in a career. That didn’t happen for me. I completed a trade school program – in post-production editing for videos, TV shows, and movies – but it took me multiple tries to pass the exam. I also did some temporary jobs. My fortunes changed when I completed a computer training program through the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. An instructor in the course mentioned InspiriTec. I applied and aced both interviews.
On December 27, 2021, I started work as a Customer Service Representative on the DCA project. As a CSR for DCA, I support the application process for professionals seeking/maintaining licenses in New Jersey. I currently serve Home Improvement Contractors. InspiriTec is a friendly environment where I would like to continue my career. I feel welcomed, and I am recognized for the work I do. I won Rookie of the Year during Customer Service Week 2022. I believe I won, because I showed I was a quick learner. I am bilingual in English and Spanish, so I can serve our Spanish-speaking callers without a translator.
Outside of work, I do karate. I tried different types, and did it on-and-off at first, because of COVID and financial issues. Since working at InspiriTec, I’ve had the money to continuously practice Shotokan. Watching 1990s Ninja Turtles movies sparked my interest in martial arts, but a psychologist I saw (I have ASD) convinced me to pursue it. It’s challenging, but very fun and rewarding. InspiriTec is fun and rewarding, too. I am proud of myself now. I know my mom, who died in January 2021 from COVID, would also be proud that I got a good job."