Our History

This project originally began in 2004 with a diverse group of individuals from the disability, business, government, and aging communities in Nashville, Tennessee, who joined together to gather accessibility-friendly information about restaurants, hotels and entertainment attractions in downtown Nashville. This “systems change” project was conducted and implemented by community volunteers and was never intended to assess compliance with the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In January 2009 Aimee Levesque called Dave Whalen to meet for coffee and discuss an idea she had. As a disability advocate, she researched and found her idea happening in Nashville and wanted to bring it to Buffalo. Dave and Aimee contacted the Western New York Independent Living Center and their disability advocate Todd Vaarwerk. Over the course of one year and several brainstorming meetings, Access Buffalo identified an eclectic advisory council and met at Park Country Club in January 2010. In March 2010 Steve Truesdale and Dave Whalen met with the WNY Restaurant Association and trained Canisius College students and the program was born.

Access Buffalo™ provides useful information about accessibility-friendly features in entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants located across Western New York. Access Buffalo™ promotes awareness of disability issues through volunteerism and social action. Access Buffalo™ will be sponsoring annual training events, beginning in 2010, for college students and community volunteers.