Buffalo Ledger

Buffalo, New York – Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced the appointment of Brittney Montgomery as the City of Buffalo’s first Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advocate. As Buffalo’s new ADA advocate, Ms. Montgomery will work closely with the Brown Administration to ensure City residents who are living with disabilities continue to have equitable access to city services and programs. Ms. Montgomery’s background in self-advocacy as a Deaf individual, and years of customer service, coupled with her governmental experience, made her an ideal candidate for this new position. 

“I am proud of the progress my Administration continues to make to further improve the lives of people living with disabilities, but we recognize that more must be done,” stated Mayor Brown. “As we continue to work every day to make our community more accessible, I look forward to working with Brittney, who has the skills and the lived experience to help us build on our programs to ensure that the rights and needs of people living with disabilities are included in all that we do in the City of Buffalo.”

Brittney Montgomery is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in various fields. She was born and raised in Washington, DC and Manhattan, New York. Ms. Montgomery holds an Associate Degree of Liberal Arts from SUNY Delhi and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from SUNY Buffalo State University.

Ms. Montgomery’s work experience is extensive, having worked in customer service, government, and education. Notably, she served as a staff member to Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly Crystal Peoples- Stokes, where she gained valuable insight into the world of government. Her interactions with constituents helped spark her passion for politics, leading her to pursue a career in the field.

In her most recent role as a supervisor at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, Ms. Montgomery honed her skills and became proficient in American Sign Language. She also worked closely with local and state agencies to advocate for the best quality of life for the children at the school.

Buffalo’s new ADA Advocate Montgomery stated, “I look forward to becoming a trusted resource for the Buffalo community and working closely with Mayor Brown on his continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. I have been advocating for people living with disabilities throughout my professional career and I want City residents to know that I will work as hard as ever to develop and strengthen relationships with individuals living with disabilities, as well as the organizations that serve them.”

Ms. Montgomery was hired in early May of 2023. She will report to City of Buffalo Chief Diversity Officer Chantele Thompson, who spearheads Mayor Brown’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Americans with Disabilities Act — signed into law in 1990 — has fostered independence, empowerment, and inclusion for millions of Americans.

Original source can be found here.