Independent Perspective

Guest:  Daniel Colpoys

Topic:  Virtual Disability Pride Celebration

Duration:  05:54

Published:  July 15, 2020

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Daniel Colpoys, Chief Community Engagement Officer with WNYIL, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Dan.

Guest:  Hello Ernie, thanks for having me on today.

Host:  It's our pleasure. And you're here because we're about to celebrate a very important anniversary, for people with disabilities. And it's a big number anniversary also, what can you tell us about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration?

Guest:  Sure. So, on July, 26 of this year it will mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, obviously a very important piece of legislation in the disability rights movement. Each year WNYIL along with various other organizations that serve people with disabilities in the area, put on Disability Pride, which is a celebration of that signing. So, since everything is now virtual it seems like these days due to the pandemic, Disability Pride will also be held virtually. Typically, it's held at various locations; last year it was at Canalside, it was going to be a Canalside again this year. But unfortunately, we're moving it to a virtual event. It'll still be cool, still be fun. There'll be opportunities for the public to view Disability Pride virtually on the Disability Pride of Western New York Facebook page, which is DisabilityPrideWNY. We'll have a live stream event on the 26th, starting at 11:00 a.m., and it'll be a combination of videos of the history of the ADA, videos of leaders in the disability rights movement, various organizations who serve people with disabilities will submit videos to be included as well. There'll be musical performances by various artists, so it'll still be a cool event, even though it can't be held in person this year.

Host:  Terrific. And this is a different way of approaching Disability Pride asking other organizations to provide videos. What outlook, do you have for the likelihood of participation?

Guest:  Sure, so we want all organizations to submit a three to five minute video, either staff, board members, consumers of that organization, other vested stakeholders, no more than five minutes, and once we get those videos, we'll put them into one long video. It could also be an opportunity for organizations to talk about all the great things they're doing for people with disabilities as well. And that component will be a part of the Disability Pride event that will be held this year.

Host:  Terrific. And I'm imagine that there are probably some people listening, who were not born before the ADA became the law of the land in 1990. Could you tell us what the disability civil rights landscape was like before that time?

Guest:  Sure, well the ADA was important because it was federal legislation that granted more rights to people with disabilities. It was a historic piece of legislation, obviously, a lot of people with disabilities at that time were fighting literally fighting for passage of this legislation so we want to recognize it. While Western York Independent Living is a key contributor to the event, like I say other organizations who serve people with disabilities are involved in the planning and, and we would really hope and expect other organizations that work with people with disabilities with recognize the importance of this legislation and getting involved in the event.

Host:  And it's the most comprehensive disabilities civil rights legislation ever and before that time there was just a patchwork of laws like the Fair Housing Act, Air Carriers Act, Section 504 of the Rehab Act, barring discrimination by federally funded agencies, but this was the big kahuna the whole ball of wax in the ADA. How would you advise people to get more information or to submit their video?

Guest:  They can certainly call myself at 716-836-0822, and I’m at extension 166 if they want some additional information. Video clips can be submitted to Jillian Moss, her email is jmoss@wnyl.org

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us Dan.

Guest:  Thank you Ernie.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a Public Affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Daniel Colpoys, Chief Community Engagement Officer with WNYIL, and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.