City of Buffalo to create committee for people with disabilities

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — People with disabilities will soon have a greater voice in the City of Buffalo’s municipal government.

Efforts to create a disability committee are nearing completion.

BJ Stasio is a disability rights advocate and activist. Today, his voice and voices are about to get louder because city leaders are reestablishing the Disability Advisory Committee.

“Well, it took a while to happen. And, you know, good things take a while to happen. I’m just sorry, you know, it took so long. I’m glad it’s happening now.” , Stasio said.

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On Tuesday, the Buffalo Common Council will vote to immediately adopt this committee. Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski pushed for this initiative to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are fully met.

“I truly believe that people with disabilities are often overlooked in society and that is enough. We need a community that will be actively engaged but also visible within City Hall,” Nowakowski said.

The committee was created about 20 years ago, but Nowakowski said the person who helped create it lost his job when the city faced a financial crisis, so the board didn’t never came together. This will change soon.

The board of directors will have 11 members. It will include six people living with disabilities, three people who work with organizations providing services to people living with disabilities and two caregivers.

Mayor Byron Brown will appoint the 11 members once council approves the creation of the committee.

“What I realized is that the disability community really needed to get involved and know that this council exists and that their voice matters. And we want them to help us participate. To give back the city more accessible than ever,” Nowakowski said.

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“And this is our opportunity as a disability community to be at the table with the city of Buffalo,” Stasio said.

Samuel Mattle, executive director of the Center for Self Advocacy, said he would like the committee to focus on sidewalk improvements, including clearing paths at bus stops.

“I hope the board makes Buffalo one of the most accessible cities in the country,” Mattle said. “I think it’s important that we find the voice that we haven’t had in the past.”

And the hope is that this board will give everyone a seat at the table.

“It’s time to move forward,” Mattle said.

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“This is a way for all of us to make our voices heard,” Stasio said.