BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The push to bring a disability committee to the City of Buffalo is nearing the finish line.
BJ Stasio is a disability rights advocate and activist. His voice and voices alike are about to get louder now that city leaders are reestablishing the advisory committee for people with disabilities.
"Well, it's been a long time coming. And, you know, good things are slow to happen," Stasio said. "I'm just sorry, you know, it took this long. I'm glad it's happening now."
On Tuesday, Buffalo's Common Council will vote for the immediate passage of this committee. Fillmore District Council member Mitch Nowakowski pushed for this initiative to ensure the needs of people living with disabilities are fully met.
"It is really my belief that people that are living with disabilities are often times overlooked in society and enough is enough," Nowakowski said. "We need to have this community that will be actively engaged but also visible within city hall."
The committee was created about 20 years ago. Nowakowski said the person who helped establish it lost their job when the city was facing a fiscal crisis, so the board never met. Soon that will change.
The board will have 11 members. It will include six people living with disabilities, three people who work with agencies that provide services to people living with disabilities, and two caregivers. Mayor Byron Brown will appoint the 11 members once the Council approves the committee.
"What I've realized is that the disability community really needed to be engaged and know that this board exists and that their voice mattered," Nowakowski said. "We want them to help participate. To make the city more accessible than ever."
Samuel Mattle, executive director of the Center for Self Advocacy, said he would like the committee to focus on improving sidewalks, especially clearing paths at bus stops.
"My hope is that the board will make Buffalo one of the most accessible cities in the nation," Mattle said, "I think it is important that we get the voice back that we haven't in the past."
The hope is that this board will give everyone a seat at the table.
"It's time that we move forward with this," Mattle said.
