(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Lauren Weishaar, Easterseals NJ (ENJ) Career Pathways Connections Manager, has been chosen to serve on the New Jersey State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee. Weishaar was invited by a representative of The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) to apply for the volunteer position. Weishaar is widely recognized for her commitment and effectiveness in supporting both deaf and blind individuals in New Jersey.  

Working closely with the CBVI and other state councils, Weishaar will analyze the effectiveness and consumer satisfaction of vocational rehabilitation services and make recommendations on how to improve. Her responsibilities will include participating in quarterly meetings as a representative of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Weishaar sees this as a tremendous opportunity to deepen and create new partnerships for ENJ and the communities it serves.

“It is truly an honor to take this position and advocate for the estimated 850,000 New Jersey residents who have varying degrees of hearing loss,” said Weishaar. “As someone who is deaf, I look forward to adding my voice to the wide range of issues that I know first-hand need to be addressed – and can be addressed – with focus, partnership, and resources.” 

Earlier this year, Weishaar helped drive the expansion of ENJ’s employment services program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to encompass the entire state. ENJ’s Career Pathway Connections received a five-year grant for more than $1 million from the State of New Jersey’s Human Services enabling the nonprofit to provide employment services in all counties statewide for eligible individuals. This accomplishment was widely recognized as a giant step toward meeting the employment needs of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.  

For over 70 years, Easterseals New Jersey has helped individuals and families with disabilities or special needs live, learn, work, and play in their communities with equality, dignity, and independence. Annually, over 5,000 people in New Jersey with developmental disabilities receive services in programs designed to help them achieve independence and full community-integration.