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Picnic in Niagara Falls to celebrate 2 legal milestones for citizens with disabilities

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Tue, Jun 19th 2018 11:20 am
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The Cataract City's consumer-run human service and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of Niagara County, will hold a Disability Pride Niagara Olmstead Family Picnic at The Centennial Shelter in Hyde Park in Niagara Falls on Friday.
That date was selected as it is the 19th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead Decision "that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)." This determination has helped many citizens escape institutionalization, as it requires public agencies to provide services "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities."
In celebration of Olmstead and the ADA, the 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. event includes free food and games. Western New York Independent Living Inc.
Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk noted work has recently begun in earnest on Hyde Park disability accommodations for which ceremonial groundbreaking occurred at the Olmstead Picnic one year ago. Vaarwerk and ILNC Director Sarah K. Lanzo will hold a discussion with attendees concerning what additional advocacy actions are called for in the current political climate.
To attend, R.S.V.P. to Brittany Smorol at 716-284-4131, ext. 214.
Independent Living of Niagara County is a member of the Western New York Independent Living family of agencies that offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

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