Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Tracy LeBlanc, chief community engagement officer of WNYIL and I'm your host, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Tracy.
Thank you for having me, Ernie.
And you're here because you have the big picture of one of our biggest observances of the year celebrating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Which, after a patchwork of very specific anti-discrimination suits about people with disabilities, this really covers an awful lot of different areas of daily living for individuals with impairments, and thus is a major cause for celebration.
And how many times has Western New York independent living celebrated the ADA?
We've been celebrating it for the past decade or so. This will be the 34th anniversary of the ADA and we're very excited to have the Disability Pride Festival on Friday, July 26th, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Canalside.
Terrific. And if we want to get people out there, we have to entice them with some of the nifty attractions of the affair. What can you tell us about it?
Well, we have a lot of things going on this year. We have a main stage where we have a day full of artists like DJ Pastor Rock, the Stressed Dolls, a bunch of poets and other performers. Then we have our new area. This year, our children's area, which is being put on by the Buffalo Museum of Science, Explore and More, EPIC Storytime and the Parent Network.
Alrighty. And plus, if people want to know more about services available in the community from various and sundry organizations, the big tent I believe will have a lot of literature tables where people can get their questions answered.
Yeah, we have the New York Power Authority resource tent which is going to have probably close to 40 community resources for people with and without disabilities.
Ah, alright. And uh, so people will be able to go there and get their questions answered and have some delightful refreshments. What all is in the offing, would you say?
Well, we'll also be serving free hot dogs to anyone who comes out as long as they last and we'll just have a lot of different activities going along throughout the day.
Alright. And how many opportunities are there to have both nifty children's activities, plus a bunch of poets, dancers, creative people and whatnot, all within a fairly contained area. Is there any charge to participate in this event?
No, everything is free, and we invite everybody to come down. It's really a celebration of the accomplishments of people with disabilities. You know, we like to highlight the accomplishments that they have and the contributions that they make to our community.
With the exception of the accessible boat ride in the river, is there anything else that people need to RSVP for in advance?
No, you can just really come out and have a good time. It should be a beautiful day and it's, you know, down by Canalside. It's open to any person with or without disability.
Alright. And if you could remind us again of the date and time.
Yes, it's Friday, July 26th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.at Canalside.
Great. I'm sure that people will probably have some questions. How can they reach you?
They can give me a call at 716-836-0822 ext. 166.
Terrific. Well, thanks so much for sharing the news of the Disability Pride Festival. And there'll be more details on the entertainers coming up with another guest next week.
Speaker 1
You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Tracy LeBlanc, chief community engagement officer of WNYIL. And I've been your host, Ernie Churchwell.