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People with disabilities to let their voices be heard at WNY Independent Living's virtual Legislative Education Week

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Wed, Feb 3rd 2021 10:05 am

Western New York Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL) is participating in the New York Association for Independent Living (NYAIL)’s 2021 virtual Legislative Education Week from Feb. 8-12. People with disabilities in the Western New York area will have the opportunity to speak with local, state and federal elected officials and make their representatives aware of the issues that are important to them.

Elected officials confirmed to participate so far include: Assembly members Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Stephen Hawley, Pat Burke, Angelo Morinello, Karen McMahon, David DiPietro, Monica Wallace, Michael Norris, William Conrad and Jonathan Rivera, and State Sens. Patrick Gallivan and Rob Ortt.

A press release said, “Even before the pandemic prompted restrictions on businesses, which greatly decreased employment and tax revenues, New York state had a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, which the leaders seemed intent on reducing somewhat by cutting back on programs, services and legal protections for the state's citizens with disabilities. That temptation has only been increased by the pandemic’s circumstances. Legislators will soon be meeting to hammer out details of the state budget, which is due to be finished on April 1, 2021.”

Participants wishing to hear from (and talk to) their representatives can use the Zoom meeting online platform or call in to speak with the officials participating. Register for these virtual meetings by contacting Jillian Moss at 716-836-0822, ext. 146, or by email at [email protected], by Feb. 6.

The Western New York Independent Living family of agencies offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

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