disability rights

Local

Local peer-led organization aims to dismantle barriers to disabled people in leadership

Emyle Watkins

People with disabilities’ rights were established through a series of laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. But just because a right is made law, doesn’t mean people in marginalized communities don’t continue to face barriers. WBFO’s Emyle Watkins explains how a local organization is focused on knocking down barriers for disabled people.

The living room of a People Inc. group home in the northtowns for people with high medical support needs.

State

Disability advocates fear proposed NYS budget will continue staffing crisis, threaten living options

Emyle Watkins

The state’s current proposed budget for disability services leaves self-advocates and their workers concerned for their futures.

Two photos appear as a header image on this web story. (Left image) Keah Brown a black woman with shoulder length black hair smiles to camera wearing a cream colored sweater and black pants. She stands in front of a brick building. (Right image) The book is a blue background with multiple people in muted shadings in the background. In front of the muted shadings of people is a green leafy plant and a brown bench in front of a pink colored brick. On the bench, sits Sam, center, a little black girl smiling with a gap wearing a blue and white polkadot skirt a pink shirt pink shoes and white socks. Her brown hair is curled and into two space buns with pink barrettes. To the left of her is Sarah, a little girl of Asian descent who is wearing a white headband atop her long back length black hair, a orange and black striped shirt, brown pants and white shoes; and Sydney, a little white girl, is to the right of Sam wearing a yellow shirt with a purple and green flower on it, green shorts and purple shoes. Her curly brown hair is also back length. In front of the girls are empty shopping bags two blue shopping bags, one yellow shopping bag and one orange shopping bag.

Arts & Culture

Lockport author Keah Brown on rest, representation, and her new book, 'Sam's Super Seats'

Emyle Watkins

WBFO’s Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins spoke with Brown on Monday about the message of her book, representation in publishing, and her advice for future authors.

Three people pose together for a photo in front of a large event tent. One person is using a motorized wheelchair and the other two people are sitting on a concrete block.

Local

Buffalo's Disability Pride Festival returns to Canalside

Emyle Watkins

Every year on July 26th, the disability community in the United States celebrates a major milestone towards rights and acceptance, while also taking a look at the work that still needs to be done. WBFO’s Emyle Watkins has more on this special anniversary and the celebration of Disability Pride.

Two disabled Black people (a femme wearing compression gloves and a non-binary person in a power wheelchair) on a date. Both are illuminated by natural light coming through a window while they hold coffee mugs, sit, and chat.

Health & Wellness

HOPE of WNY collaboration aims to make domestic violence services accessible to disabled survivors

Rhiannon Browning

The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men are abused by an intimate partner, annually. The numbers of individuals with disabilities are disproportionately higher than those without, however, they often go unreported or underserved due to ableism and a lack of accessible resources. However, two local non-profits are combatting this through a unique partnership.

Renee Christian is pictured wearing a pink dress with silver accents and a necklace. She is sitting in her wheelchair and smiling. She has burgundy-red hair and is wearing red lipstick.

Health & Wellness

The Care Crisis: WNYer shares what is is like being without home care staff two-thirds of the day, as state looks at home care wages

Emyle Watkins

In its 2021 report, the Home Care Association of New York State reported that an average of 23% of home health and personal care aide positions are unfilled. As the New York State Senate and Assembly look at legislation that could increase wages significantly, WBFO’s Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins spoke with a local business owner and mother who says the shortage of home health aides has left her relying on friends and sleeping in her wheelchair.

Arts & Culture

Gaelynn Lea talks violin, disability rights; but not always at the same time

NPR's 2016 Tiny Desk Contest Winner Gaelynn Lea was in Rochester this weekend for a performance at Nazareth College. She never thought she would be a…