06/15/2026 “Annual Moceans’ Center for Independent Living - Beach Bash” By Kaylee McGrath

Annually the Moceans’ Center for Independent Living hosts a fully assessable beach party with vendors, resources, live music, and arts & crafts for all to enjoy. This year, the event was hosted on Sunday, May 31^st in Long Branch, NJ at Pier Village.

I had the pleasure of attending with my family and the day was absolutely perfect in every which way. This year I decided to take my camera with me and took some candid shots as well as posed shots of my co-workers. On a personal note, I gathered several very interesting and handy resources for me to use in the very near future. The vendors were extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.

From time to time, my co-workers and I enjoy discussing some great accomplishments within the disability community, and on the flip side, discuss concerns regarding the future of individuals with various disabilities. To make things more interesting, I asked two of my co-workers from our independent living department to participate in an interview with providing six (6) questions to get their perspective on a few thoughts. The co-workers I interviewed were, Stan Soden and Brandon Scott.

The participants in the interview were asked to answer at least four (4) questions out of six (6):

1.      How long have you been working within the disability community?

Stan: 34 years

Brandon: 7 years

2.      What has been the biggest obstacle you personally needed to navigate through with an individual and/or agency?

Stan: Individual/Personally ‘Transportation”

Brandon: “In my professional career working with people who are differently abled, I have encountered a multitude of barriers and challenges. The most difficult obstacle to navigate has been the lack of affordable and accessible housing. Developers often seek to maximize profits by purchasing available land to build luxury apartments, while some communities fight to keep affordable housing out of their neighborhoods. Additionally, some elected officials seem either ill-equipped or reluctant to lead coalitions advocating for legislative change. All of this occurs while housing insecurity and inadequate living conditions continue to persist for many individuals with disabilities”.

3.      Do you have any personal ideas on how to ensure accessibility in communities and in the workplace?

Stan: “Keeping communication open is the biggest tool you can have”

4.      Do you have many consumers who participate in DVRS for additional training and assistance with job placement?

Stan: “Not currently in my present position”

Brandon: “Yes. As an Independent Living Specialist embedded within the Youth Gateway Department, I assist individuals in obtaining pre-employment transition services, paid internships, and other independent living skills that directly or indirectly support their vocational goals. Many of these individuals come to us through DVRS”.

5.      Has working in this industry helped you personally?

Stan: “Absolutely, I have the pleasure of being on both ends, as a consumer and working in the agency”

 6.      If there is one suggestion or question you could have the opportunity to personally ask a government official (President, Vice President, Senator or Congressman, etc.) regarding ongoing various support for individuals with disabilities, what would your suggestion or question be?

Stan: Suggestion to, “Please continue all at home services so that people can stay out of nursing homes”

Brandon: “If I had one suggestion for our government officials, it would be to support people with disabilities through tangible action. This includes funding programs that create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the government should create built-in incentives for private businesses that actively pursue diversity and inclusion, encouraging them to market themselves as welcoming workplaces where people with disabilities can gain valuable work experience while earning a dignified wage. Finally, at every level of government and within every municipality, there should be either consultation with disability advocates or a dedicated office specifically tasked with ensuring that the needs and perspectives of people with disabilities are considered in every aspect of decision-making”.

All photos are courtesy of Kaylee McGrath (Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia)