Every Monday night at Aspire of WNY’s 7 Community Drive location, the sound of guitars tuning, drums thumping, and voices warming up fills the air. It’s band practice night for Universal Mind, an all-abilities rock group made up of musicians with intellectual and developmental disabilities—and they’re not just rehearsing; they’re rocking!
What began as a simple idea between two Aspire of WNY employees has since grown into a high-energy ensemble, where creativity and confidence are building each week. The band’s story began in 2006, when two employees spotted some untapped talent in an individual supported by the agency, and couldn’t help but imagine what could happen if that spark was given the right stage…
What started with one drummer quickly grew into something much bigger. When the agency hosted an open rehearsal, over 50 aspiring musicians showed up, eager to play. Soon after, Universal Mind was born!
Over time, the group matured into a beloved ensemble known for its energetic renditions of rock classics spanning from the 1950s to the present day. Each member contributes their own unique voice and stage presence, and their performances not only entertain, but affirm the artistic potential of people with disabilities.
Still, the journey hasn’t always been smooth—but hey, even the Beatles played their early gigs with borrowed amps and shaky sound systems that buzzed more than they boomed! For years, Universal Mind faced similar hurdles, making do with a collection of outdated and secondhand audio equipment.
When something broke—a frequent occurrence—it was Larry, a fellow bandmate and self-taught tech expert, who kept the show on the road. His death in 2023 left both an emotional void and a practical one. Without him, and with equipment on the brink of failure, the band’s future started to feel a bit uncertain.
That all changed with a timely grant from the New York State (NYS) Elks Association Major Projects Program. Aspire of WNY, as a long-term affiliate of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of NY (CP State), has participated in a collaborative between the NYS Elks Association and CP State called the Home Services Program for many years. Since the 1960s, the Elks have awarded special project grants each year to support meaningful initiatives that are otherwise difficult to fund through traditional budgets.
Thanks to $3,000 in funding from this program, Universal Mind was able to acquire a complete professional sound system: two high-quality speakers, a monitor, three speaker stands, a new soundboard, and a microphone. The effect was immediate and transformative.
“Before, we were never sure what would happen at a show,” Mike, a member of the band recalled. “Sometimes only one speaker would turn on. Sometimes the feedback was so loud that people would cover their ears. Now, we sound better than ever.”
The upgraded system debuted at the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day Conference, where Universal Mind took the stage with newfound confidence. For the first time in a long time, there were no audio issues, no loud feedback, no setbacks—only music, presented the way it was meant to be heard.
“This grant didn’t just give us equipment,” Mike emphasized. “It gave our band a future.”
That future continues to unfold every Monday night at band practice, where the band’s seven active members gather for rehearsal. Participation is entirely voluntary, a rare opportunity in a system often constrained by transportation challenges and staffing limitations. For many, Universal Mind provides a creative outlet unavailable elsewhere—a space where they can, even briefly, inhabit a different identity: the lead singer, the drummer, the rock star.
Looking ahead, the band hopes to continue building on their momentum. Future funding could support promotional efforts like signage, new microphones, and outreach materials to help the group secure more gigs and inspire even more people, proving that creativity, talent, and passion aren’t limited by disability. With the right support, barriers fall away, and what shines through is music that moves, inspires, and reminds us all that everyone deserves their time in the spotlight.
