Who's ready for accessible fun this summer?
Sarah K. Lanzo, Independent Living
May 31, 2019
The season to get out and enjoy the great weather that Western New York affords us each May through September is upon us. There will be plenty of concerts, festivals, fairs and other opportunities to indulge in whatever food, beverage or activity that piques your interest.
Some of these events will be accessible to individuals who live with disabilities, while others will not be so cognizant of all the citizens of our communities. However, the Independent Living Center of Niagara County is offering a variety of fun and accessible activities in the coming months to all of our area’s citizens.
The festivities kick off with the Olmstead Celebration on Friday, June 21st, at Hyde Park Centennial Pavilion in Niagara Falls. On June 22, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In honor of this landmark legislation, ILNC holds a community picnic to bring together individuals with, and without, disabilities to enjoy their hard-fought freedoms and protections, as well as participate in fun and games, food and fellowship. The picnic will start at 11 a.m. and last until 3 p.m.
Next on ILNC’s calendar of events is Disability Pride on Saturday, July 27th, at Canalside from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law and discrimination against people with disabilities became illegal. Therefore, ILNC, along with Western New York Independent Living’s family of agencies will be celebrating this important occasion. Admission is free and open to everyone. There will be entertainment, food and family-friendly activities. Another big part of Disability Pride is a parade that kicks off the day. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall in Buffalo and ends at Canalside’s Dart Lawn area.
Also on the summer schedule is ILNC’s 14th annual Fishing Derby, on Sunday, August 4th. The derby will kick off at 6 a.m. with registration at Old Fort Niagara Boat Launch. Breakfast, beverages, lunch and bait will be provided. Boats will head out at 7 a.m. and return about noon. Immediately following the derby, we will re-group at the Fin, Feather and Fur Conservation Society (3F Club), 904 Swann Road, Lewiston, for an awards ceremony, a theme basket auction, a 50/50 split and a huge post-derby barbecue.
We hope that you can come out and participate in one, or all, of these family friendly activities that ILNC is hosting. To reserve spots at any of these inclusive events or ask questions about them, please contact Marykate Waringa at 716-284-4131, extension 146, or mwaringa@wnyil.org
Sarah K. Lanzo is the director of Independent Living of Niagara County, a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. For more information, call 284-4131, extension 200.