Festive tattoos, delicious food, and live performances set the stage for a wonderful afternoon as staff and individuals supported by Aspire of WNY celebrate National Disability Independence Day at the Disability Pride Festival at Canalside in Buffalo, for the second year in a row!
National Disability Independence Day commemorates the July 26, 1990, signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on mental and physical disabilities. Both staff and individuals supported by Aspire of WNY attended this festival, to help commemorate this special day!
Among countless attendees, NYS Assembly Member Karen McMahon and Willow Baer, the Acting Commissioner for the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, were also present at this vibrant celebration!
The event, held from 2-6 pm, featured a variety of activities including an artist’s and speakers tent, children’s activities hosted by the Buffalo Science Museum and Explore & More, EPIC Storytime, musical performances, poetry readings, a karate show, airbrush tattoos by Paul Chuddy, and complimentary BBQ-style lunches and snacks for attendees. There was also a wheelchair friendly and sensory accessible carousel present at the location of the event!
Alongside many of our community partners and fellow provider agencies at the Resource Market tent at the festival, our Intake and Outreach team handed out informational packets, and held numerous conversations with individuals and their families to help provide information about our services and how they can apply.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this special day than to advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by getting out into the community and telling people about what we do here at our agency, and getting people connected with crucial programming,” says Jenna Astridge, Director of Agency Outreach and Central Intake at Aspire of WNY. “We are so proud to be part of this event and to support the community in such a meaningful way.”
“Celebrating this significant milestone in disability rights (National Disability Independence Day) directly aligns with our agency’s vision of helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities realize their full potential,” explains Renee Filip, President and CEO at Aspire of WNY. “There is such a wonderful sense of community that exists here at the Disability Pride Festival, and it’s truly such a privilege to be able to attend.”
Aspire of WNY is proud to have attended the Disability Pride Festival alongside our fellow provider agencies, community partners, and NYS policymakers. We look forward to attending this fun and exciting event again for another year!
