Community Advisory Committee

Frank Cammarata: has been a lifelong resident of Buffalo, New York. He began his career in human services with People Inc. in 1994 and his family had been involved with the agency from the beginning. He has helped to develop and operate innovative programming to provide for greater vocational training outlets and employment opportunities. He has served as the Director of the Western Region of the New York State Association of Day Service Providers, participated in the development of Disability Awareness Month activities, and was a Trainer and Ambassador for People Inc. In January 2012, Frank was appointed the new Executive Director of the Office for Disabled of Erie County. Frank’s primary responsibilities include advocating for all county residents who have a disability, being ADA Coordinator, providing linkage and referral services to the people who visit or call the office, and providing oversight for a Disability Advisory Board.

Crystal Jackson: is the Director of the Western New York Independent Living Center, whose overarching goal is to empower, educate, and inform to create equality for all. The Independent Living Center provides a multitude of services, including peer counseling, advocacy, benefits and advisement, information and referral, and independent living skills. Crystal has her MS Ed. Mental Health Community Counselor and is a Certified School Counselor.

Brie Kishel: is the Program and Operations Manager at the UB Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention. She came to the UB from People Inc., where she was the Education Coordinator at the Museum of disABILITY History, Project Coordinator for Kids on the Block of WNY, and a Program Manager. She graduated from Medaille College.

Carrie Marcotte: is the founding director of Starlight Studio and Art Gallery, a program created by the Learning Disabilities Association of WNY that places emphasis on independence and individual choice. The Starlight program is strengthened by community involvement; the gallery is shared with other artists from the community. She started working with people with various disabilities when accepting a job in the Education Department at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery as the coordinator of the Matter at Hand program. There she worked with individuals across the life span with a range of disabilities in the museum setting. At the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Carrie led efforts to employ universal design concepts to achieve greater museum access. While at the Albright she was involved with the Museum Access Consortium based in New York City and Art Beyond Sight Around the World.