ABSECON — For Jacob Hackett, accessibility isn't an abstract discussion about building codes or government regulations. It determines whether someone using a wheelchair can enter a public building, use a bathroom or simply get where they need to go.
And this week, the longtime Absecon disability advocate says persistence is producing results.
Hackett announced Wednesday on Talking with Anne on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND that accessibility improvements at the Absecon Municipal Complex have been completed, with a ribbon cutting planned for Oct. 15.
“I am very happy to announce that the Absecon Police Department, their ADA ramp and doorway entryway is done,” Hackett told host Anne Baker. “And the ribbon cutting will be next Thursday, October 15th at 6 p.m. at the police station.”
“And I encourage anyone to attend.”
City records confirm that Absecon has been working to make the main entrance of the municipal complex at 500 Mill Road more accessible.
The project included construction of a new ADA-accessible ramp, installation of a push-button door opener, replacement of portions of the sidewalk and brick pavers, new curbing and restoration of markings for accessible parking spaces.
The Absecon Police Department operates from the same municipal complex at 500 Mill Road.
The improvements are the culmination of an effort that stretches back at least two years.
Absecon records show years-long accessibility push
In July 2024, Absecon officials discussed a Community Development Block Grant for an accessibility ramp at City Hall. City Engineer Ed Dennis said the city had successfully obtained CDBG funding and that the Atlantic County Improvement Authority recommended expanding the work to include new steps.
Later that year, Councilman Steve Light publicly urged the city to move forward with an ADA-compliant ramp at City Hall.
In December 2024, City Council authorized Remington & Vernick Engineers to provide engineering, construction administration and inspection services for the project for an amount not to exceed $34,000.
Construction began in late 2025.
Hackett has been advocating for accessibility improvements in his hometown throughout that period.
In 2024, Absecon City Council specifically recognized him for his disability advocacy, accessibility forums and work with the South Jersey Field of Dreams while declaring July Disabilities Pride Month.
Hackett is a board member of South Jersey Field of Dreams, an Absecon-based program that provides baseball opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. The organization was founded in 2003 in part because of Hackett, who has cerebral palsy.
But Hackett told Baker Wednesday that completing one ramp doesn't mean the accessibility problem is solved.
‘Everyone should be able to get into any building’
Much of Wednesday's discussion centered on obstacles that people without disabilities may rarely notice.
“Everyone should be able to get into any building,” Baker said. “They should be able to get into any kind of entertainment.”
She pointed to everything from casinos and Boardwalk access to beaches.
When Baker asked Hackett whether he believes society will eventually reach a point where everything is accessible to everyone, his answer was immediate.
“No,” Hackett said. “Sadly, Ann, no.”
Hackett said cost frequently becomes an obstacle to improvements, recalling a conversation with former Assemblyman Don Guardian about beach and Boardwalk accessibility.
“It's really a financial issue, a burden on people's finances because things are just so costly,” Hackett said.
Federal law nevertheless places significant accessibility obligations on state and local governments.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to state and local government services, programs and activities. Federal regulations also require public entities to provide information about accessible services and facilities and to place signs at inaccessible entrances directing people to accessible entrances or information about accessible facilities.
Hackett's advocacy extends beyond buildings.
Hackett challenges Atlantic County transportation rule
Hackett also raised concerns Wednesday about Atlantic County's transportation program for seniors and residents with disabilities.
He recently participated in a public hearing concerning the county transportation system and said he questioned why some trips can only be reserved two days in advance.
“One of the things I mentioned is why for non-medical transportation are we waiting two days prior to a trip?” Hackett said. “I feel like that's totally wrong.”
Atlantic County's published transportation rules confirm the distinction Hackett is talking about.
The county's Transportation Unit serves qualified residents including people age 60 and older, people with disabilities, certain veterans and residents of rural western Atlantic County.
Trips are divided into two categories.
“Life Essential Services” include dialysis, chemotherapy, medical and laboratory appointments, physical and occupational therapy, grocery shopping, employment and educational or job training. Reservations for those trips are accepted as far as seven days in advance.
“Life Enhancing Services,” which include non-grocery shopping, social activities and recreational trips, can be reserved only up to two days before travel.
That means Hackett wasn't describing a requirement that all county transportation be booked exactly two days ahead. Rather, he is questioning why riders aren't allowed to reserve the county's life-enhancing trips farther in advance.
“Times certainly should have changed,” Hackett said. “We're in 2026, almost 2027, and this is a system that was put in place years and years ago from what I was told.”
Atlantic County says its transportation service operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is intended to serve as many eligible residents as possible.
Transportation has been an ongoing concern
This isn't the first time Hackett has raised concerns about transportation for people with disabilities.
He previously appeared on Talking with Anne to discuss problems he and others had encountered using NJ Transit's Access Link paratransit system.
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson joined that conversation and emphasized that Access Link is operated by NJ Transit, while Atlantic County has its own transportation service.
Levinson encouraged Hackett to contact county officials to determine whether the county program could better meet some of his transportation needs.
Wednesday, Hackett said his message at the recent county hearing was straightforward: people who use the system should make their concerns known.
Officials discussed “making improvements to the county system” and “encouraging people to ... speak up,” he said.
Accessibility can be easy to overlook
Hackett and Baker also discussed features such as Braille signs, elevators, automatic doors and accessible bathrooms.
Hackett pointed to Atlantic County Institute of Technology as one example of a building he believes does accessibility particularly well.
“I've been in that building plenty of times, and that building is accessible to and fro, up and down,” Hackett said.
He specifically praised elevators in the building, including one providing access to the athletic area, and described the newer bathrooms as having particularly wide accessible stalls.
The federal government's ADA guidance identifies accessible restrooms, doorways, routes and tactile signage among the features that must be considered when evaluating accessibility.
Hackett also told Baker he recently visited Stockton University and didn't notice Braille signage in the areas he visited.
South Jersey NewsBeat has not independently determined whether the areas Hackett visited lacked required tactile signage, and his observation should not be interpreted as a finding that Stockton is out of compliance with the ADA.
One project finished, larger effort continues
The completed Absecon project provides Hackett with a tangible example of the change he has spent years advocating for.
His accessibility work has grown well beyond a single municipal building.
Hackett helped launch an annual accessibility forum through Absecon United Methodist Church and has spoken publicly about transportation, education, recreation and access to businesses and government facilities. The church says some municipal doors in Absecon have previously been replaced with more accessible ones following advocacy by Hackett and others involved in the effort.
For Hackett, Wednesday's message was ultimately about making people who don't currently require accommodations recognize that accessibility may someday affect them, too.
And with Absecon's latest improvements completed, he is encouraging residents with disabilities to continue telling local officials where barriers remain.
“Speak up,” Hackett said, describing one of the messages coming out of the county transportation discussion.
The Absecon Municipal Complex is at 500 Mill Road. Hackett said the ribbon cutting for the new accessibility improvements is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.
Jacob Hackett discussed accessibility and transportation Wednesday on Talking with Anne on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND. The program airs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
