The BTPM Disabilities Beat is dedicated to promoting equity and acceptance by amplifying marginalized voices, holding corporations and governments accountable, and combatting misinformation and stigma through education about the disability community.
Coverage highlights the often-overlooked implications of economic, educational, policy, and environmental factors on the disability community, offering regional and national perspectives. Key topics include:
- Economic Disparities: Examining wage gaps for employees with disabilities and employment opportunities
- Civic Participation: Investigating the accessibility of ballot machines and voter resources
- Mobility and Accessibility: Addressing paratransit availability and infrastructure needs
- Policy Impact: Analyzing legislation and its effects on the lives of people with disabilities
Hear reports from the Disabilities Beat every Wednesday on BTPM NPR during Morning Edition and All Things Considered for impactful reports in about 5 minutes. These stories aim to spark meaningful conversations and drive positive change in our communities.
The BTPM Disabilities Beat is funded in part by the Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation.
Latest from the WBFO Disabilities Beat
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During a recent interview, Maria Perrin announced a few developments in how PPL will handle CDPAP going forward, including bank cards for personal assistants becoming a reality. -
BTPM's Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins hosted a live interview with Maria Perrin, the president of PPL, the new single statewide fiscal intermediary (FI) for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). -
This week on the Disabilities Beat, BTPM NPR's Emyle Watkins talks with Western New York Independent Living's Douglas Usiak about concerns over the Erie County Sheriff's "Handle With Care" Registry. -
Leaders in the local disability community say they oppose a new initiative from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to create a registry of disabled people for use in emergencies.
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Last week, parties to a federal lawsuit against New York State's Department of Health filed and a judge approved a preliminary injunction which will create new protections for consumers and their personal assistants who are transitioning to a new company running the state's home care program. -
Some disabled people who use New York State’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP, will now be able to stick with the previous company who handled their workers' pay, for a brief time. -
If the preliminary injunction is approved by the judge, some consumers and their personal assistants will be able to stick with their original fiscal intermediary – but not indefinitely. -
Big news is expected today in a federal lawsuit challenging New York's transition to a single company running its Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP. -
The federal court ruling halted plans to end the state's work with over 600 companies that currently administer New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP.
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While New Yorkers will have to wait until at least the end of the week to know what's in the final budget, the legislature has previously indicated it would support $22 million for Daniel's Law. Daniel's Law would provide trained crisis response teams of EMTs, peers, and mental health professionals to respond to a crisis rather than police. -
Earlier this month, WBFO's Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins joined mental health advocates as they traveled from Buffalo to Albany to push for peer-led, voluntary services in the state’s budget. -
Recently, WBFO Disability reporter Emyle Watkins went on the road to cover a group of advocates as they made their way from Buffalo to Albany to challenge topics such as involuntary treatment, Kendra’s Law, and more.
Additional WBFO Disabilities Reporting
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Concerts are supposed to be a fun space for everyone, but for people with disabilities, accessibility of these events often isn't well communicated or executed, leaving people out of the fun. This weekend, local braille clothing company Aille Design is sponsoring and coordinating Cobblestone Live's accessibility features, including a new ADA hotline, in hopes more disabled people will be able to access the festival. -
People with disabilities’ rights were established through a series of laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. But just because a right is made law, doesn’t mean people in marginalized communities don’t continue to face barriers. WBFO’s Emyle Watkins explains how a local organization is focused on knocking down barriers for disabled people. -
Disability advocates fear proposed NYS budget will continue staffing crisis, threaten living optionsThe state’s current proposed budget for disability services leaves self-advocates and their workers concerned for their futures. -
A WBFO investigation found that in the latest emergency, the city lacked an interpreter for seven out of 10 storm updates posted by the mayor on Facebook before, during, and after the Christmas blizzard. -
Buffalo wouldn’t be the same without football — and a group of disabled athletes are paving the way here for everyone to play. -
Last week, we reported on the City of Buffalo’s moves towards creating a full-time ADA Coordinator, including Common Council approval of the $63,000-a-year position. On Tuesday, the city posted the job, referred to internally as the “Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator." -
Last week WBFO reported on the City of Buffalo’s at its face violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the apparent lack of an ADA coordinator. Since then, WBFO has spoken with the deputy mayor who says that the city has been working on this issue since April. Their proposed solution came before the Common Council on Tuesday for approval. -
Last week, WBFO released an investigation detailing several violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act by the City of Buffalo. On Monday, WBFO’s Emyle Watkins sat down for an exclusive interview with City of Buffalo Deputy Mayor Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney to discuss the city’s response and what disabled Buffalonians can expect going forward. -
A WBFO investigation has found the City of Buffalo is out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mayor Byron Brown's administration does not have an ADA coordinator, and also struggles to provide American Sign Language interpretation at all news conferences. -
Under Title II of the ADA, municipalities with over 50 employees are required to have an appointed ADA coordinator, who handles complaints, accommodations, and ensures the city is not in violation of federal law. At the time of the news conference, the city had been without a coordinator for seven months, and according to WBFO investigation, still does not. It has been 11 months since the position was filled.
