Closing the Information Gap: A Conversation with Bergen County Disability Services
Part of Every Kid Can's ongoing interview series, where we speak with professionals, advocates, and educators who work alongside people with disabilities every day — to better understand the barriers they face and how youth can be part of the solution.
Creating a more inclusive community requires more than offering disability services: it requires making sure people know those services exist. That was one of the strongest messages from a recent interview with the director of a Bergen County disability resource office that supports adults with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
What Does the Office Do?
The office serves adults ages 18 and older by providing information, referrals, and access to county- and state-funded programs. Even when a service isn't offered directly, staff work to connect individuals with organizations that can meet their needs. As the director explained, "Even if we don't provide the service, we'll connect you with someone who does."
The office's programs are designed to promote independence and improve quality of life. Services include Meals on Wheels for adults with disabilities, respite care that gives caregivers time to rest or manage personal responsibilities, support groups that encourage social connection, in-home caregiver education, and the Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP), which helps adults with permanent physical disabilities remain active in school, work, and their communities.
Beyond direct services, the office plays an active role in promoting disability inclusion countywide. One example is Inclusion Day, an annual event held at Van Saun County Park that brings together families, disability organizations, and community partners — celebrating inclusion while introducing residents to resources they may not have otherwise discovered. Every Kid Can had the opportunity to participate in this year's event, running a table where we distributed surveys about sensory boards in exchange for fidget toys.
The Barriers That Remain
Despite the range of programs available, the director identified one challenge above all others: public awareness. Many individuals and families who qualify for services simply don't know they exist. Through community events, partnerships, social media, and outreach campaigns, the office continues working to close that information gap.
How We Can Do Better
This message strongly aligns with Every Kid Can's mission of reducing the barriers between disabled and non-disabled communities. Advocacy isn't only about changing laws — it's also about ensuring people have access to information, resources, and opportunities. When communities understand what support is available, individuals with disabilities are better equipped to live independently and participate fully in everyday life.
Every Kid Can is grateful for the opportunity to learn from local leaders dedicated to expanding accessibility and inclusion. Through continued collaboration between nonprofits, government agencies, and community members, more people can be connected with the resources they need and the support they deserve.