ADA 30th anniversary

Western New York Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL), and several other disability services providers, are inviting all our friends to join us for our annual Disability Pride Celebration, a weeklong virtual series of activities from July 26^th to 30^th.

It celebrates the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. It was signed into law by then President George Herbert Walker Bush and discrimination against people with disabilities became illegal.

Highlights of the week will include: the history of the disability rights movement; features on disability rights today; youth with disabilities-focused content; as well as entertainment throughout the week.

Activities will be featured on the Disability Pride Facebook page, as well as WNYIL’s YouTube page.

Sponsors of the event include: The Independent Consumer Advocate Network (ICAN), National Grid, Independent Health, and People Inc.

Other community partners assisting in the week’s events include: the Erie County Office for People with Disabilities, Deaf Access Services, People Inc., theCantalician Center for Learning, and WNY Adaptive Water Sports.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

For the last several years, Western New York Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL) and dozens of other community organizations have been celebrating the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The logo that we've been using has changed very little, but as this July 26^th will be its 30th anniversary, and there are other ADA celebrations and Disability Pride events across the country, we wanted something special and unique to Western New York to promote our annual Disability Pride Parade and Festival.

Creativity in service of the disability community will be rewarded, too!

For this year, the Disability Pride Planning Committee is seeking submissions of original designs for a 30-year logo, to promote the event before it comes to Canalside in Buffalo – and is even willing to pay.

The creator of the winning logo will receive a $100 prize – but it must be received by March 1 so it can be judged and then used in publicity leading up to the big event.

The logo contest entries should be emailed to: Daniel Colpoys, chief community engagement officer at WNYIL, at dcolpoys@wnyil.org. Any questions can be directed to Colpoys at 716-836-0822, ext. 166.

All designs will be considered, but those that capture the theme of Disability Pride and the ADA, will be given special consideration.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

In Batavia, WNYIL operates as Independent Living of the Genesee Region, with an office 319 W. Main St. Phone is (585) 815-8501, ext. 400 (Voice / TTD). Weekday office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agency serves people with disabilities in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties.