BUFFALO, N.Y. — Disability activists said they have been pushing for an ADA coordinator position in the city of Buffalo that would serve as an advocate for two years. Now, they are getting one, and advocates weigh in on what they want the role to look like.

Marie Malinowski, a homeowner who said her home repairs have been on the backburner as she grapples with inflation, would like if someone in this role would help people with disabilities apply for grants.


What You Need To Know

  • According to the ADA, cities with 50 or more employees must have an ADA coordinator appointed to enforce and maintain compliance

  • Buffalo does not currently have an ADA coordinator and the role of compliance falls under a broader diversity role

  • The new ADA role would go beyond compliance and serve as an advocate with lived experience

Israel Cruz, who uses a wheelchair, said his NFTA Paratransit rides had been canceled on him over the summer due to low staffing. He said he would like to see an ADA coordinator who could take complaints directly and move them up the chain for resolution.

“There’s so many other places where we would like to go see and visit and do all these things, but we can’t get in there because there’s no ramp or no elevator,” said Cruz.

Todd Vaarwerk, the director of advocacy and public policy in WNY Independent Living said while this is a win for people with disabilities, it is also something to be criticized as the city has not been complying with disability civil rights law as it has operated without an ADA coordinator for several months. The responsibilities of enforcing compliance currently fall under a broader diversity role and therefore is no one’s full-time role.

“And what would happen is whenever that lawyer needed to move on in their legal career, we’d be left without a voice,” said Vaarwerk. “And up to this point, it’s been happening for almost a year. I really want people to understand what it means to not have a voice. To not be able to bring problems to the city’s attention for rapid resolution.”

Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski said the specifics of the role are being ironed out and he expects to see it posted in the coming months.