Guest:  Dan Colpoys

Topic:  31st Annual Disability Pride Celebration

Duration:  5:35

Published:  June 24, 2021

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

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

Host:  It's our pleasure. You're going to give us the lowdown on one of the agency's really chief celebrations of the entire year, the Disability Pride Celebration. But just to make sure everyone understands the reason for this, could you tell us just what it is we're celebrating?

Guest:  Sure. Disability Pride is basically a celebration of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. So that was signed in 1990 on July 26. So, every year, WNYIL along with other agencies serving people with disabilities in the area put on the Disability Pride Celebration. Now historically, that's been a parade followed by live music, live entertainment, political proclamations, vendors, food, music in various locations in the area. The past few times have been at Canalside, we've also been at Bisons’ ballpark and Delaware Park as well. In the era of COVID unfortunately last year and this year, they're going to kind of pivot to virtual activities. So, we have a week's worth of activities planned, starting on July 26, again, which is the anniversary of the signing of the ADA, and it will go throughout the week through July 30. And it will be scheduled at various times throughout the day. Mornings, afternoons, evening so if people go to school, if people are working or have other commitments during the day and can't necessarily see what's going on with the weeks’ worth of activities they can certainly see some activities at night as well.

Host:  And for people that have been around for less than 31 years, they don't appreciate just how important the ADA really was up until that point there were laws that barred discrimination based on disability in narrow areas like in fair housing, in airports, in federally funded institutions, military veterans and so forth. But the ADA really spread that to a whole range of life activities. And so, it is certainly something that we can celebrate. And were you aware that WNYIL was on the ground right from the beginning?

Guest:  Well I know certainly of one person who was, our Chief Executive Officer, Doug Usiak. But if there was someone else there, maybe you can share that information with me.

Host:  Also, on the east lawn of the White House when President George Herbert Walker Bush signed the ADA was Michael Orzell who was our Systems Advocate at the time. Since then, he's moved on to a state job in Albany, and of course we wish him well. And Doug's daughter Madeline was his sighted guide for the event so you might say that the ADA was quite the family affair. Well, for people want to know how to connect with the Disability Pride Celebration, how can they get information?

Guest:  Well they can view the activities on the Disability Pride Facebook page, which is www.facebook.com/disabilitypridewny and or they can go to WNYIL YouTube page, and view it there, just do a search when you get to YouTube for WNYIL, and that will take it to our page.

Host:  Terrific. And if people have other questions about the event, how can they reach you?

Guest:  Yeah, certainly call me at 716-836-0822 extension 166 or email me at dcolpoys@wnyil.org

Host:  Thanks for being with us Dan.

Guest:  Thank you.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Dan Colpoys, Chief Community Engagement Officer of WNYIL, and I've been your host, Ernie Churchwell.