Independent Perspective 1685 with Doug Usiak, about his attendance at Gov. Hochul's announcement of the first Chief Disability Officer.

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

Guest:  Thanks Ernie, I’m glad to be here today.

Host:  And we're delighted to have you particularly since you were on hand when one of the most exciting things to take part in New York State for people with disabilities occurred on the 14th of February, the naming of a Chief Disability Officer. What can you tell us about the event?

Guest:  Well, I did have the pleasure to be invited to the signing of the Chief Disability Officers position bill to make it law to create the position in NY State. It was held in Troy, NY at the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, one of our sister Independent Living Centers. And it was great to hear the governor introduce the new appointee Kim Hill, who's had a long record of working on disability issues. She herself is a person with a disability. And it was great to see that the governor actually recognized the number of efforts of the number of Independent Living Centers from across the state.

Host:  And I believe that Miss Hill actually served in the assembly as well as being pivotal in getting a number of measures passed in her previous positions.

Guest:  She's had over two decades of being a fierce advocate on disability issues and getting them through the legislature. Now she's moving from the legislative branch to the executive branch, where she'll be able to get the governor's attention directly by being a member of the inner circle that advises the governor on issues and concerns that are facing all New Yorkers. And now we know that people with disabilities will have a doorway to the governor's desk.

Host:  And just so our listeners appreciate what a landmark occasion this was, it was back in the 80s when then Governor Mario Cuomo created the Office of the Advocate for People with Disabilities. But then in subsequent administrations before Governor Hochul’s, that position’s authority was disseminated among other state agencies, and then essentially eliminated so disability advocates had been fighting to get that single voice to the administration for many years. You consider this to be quite the landmark?

Guest:  I consider this to be a little bit better than what we had before because as I said, this position will sit close to the governor whereas the other position was an office appointed by the governor yet did not have the policy gateway to the governor on issues being faced by the legislature or the senate. So, this gets us a little closer to the governor so it although very frustrating having almost 20 years of not having this office but at the same time it may be a step forward for the issues that face people with disabilities in NY.

Host:  Speaking of those issues, there are a number of concerns that people with disabilities have had. Can you mention at least a few of them?

Guest:  Yes, we’re looking at issues of health care. We're looking at affordable accessible housing, integrated housing. We're looking at transportation in both rural New York State, accessible transportation as well as beefing up our accessible transportation concerns in city. We're looking at services and programs, we're looking at better services for veterans that come back with a disability. The list is very exhaustive because we're looking at bringing people with disabilities into mainstream society to be considered part of the workforce, part of the community so that we can all grow and prosper together.

Host:  And so if people have questions about this or other issues, such as the campaign for fair pay for health care for people that need home care attendants, would you suggest that they talk to our Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk?

Guest:  I would certainly suggest that they contact our chief Public Policy Officer at extension 101

Host:  And that's at 716-836-0822.

Guest:  Correct.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us Doug.

Guest:  It's been my pleasure.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today has been Doug Usiak, Chief Executive Officer of WNYIL and I've been your host Ernie Churchwell.