Three People Quit in Protest of Disability Group

By: Brad Smith, Rochester YNN

There is more fallout from a Monroe County decision to end its relationship with the Center for Disability Rights.

Three of nine members of a joint city and county council for people with disabilities have resigned.

They said the council exists for public relations purposes and cite several reasons for quitting, including failure by the council to act on what they call several good ideas to help the local disabled community.

“We see most of the good ideas ignored, or squashed, and it’s just a frustrating process, so I think that there are a number of us who are fed up and sick and want to see something better,” said Chris Hildebrant, Center for Disability Rights COO.

Hildebrant said he also resigned over the ending of a contract between the county and the Center for Disability rights.

A county spokesman said: “If CDR executives and their allies want to resign from this all-volunteer board in order to make a political statement, that is their choice. County Executive Maggie Brooks looks forward to appointing new board members who are fully committed to advocating for the best interests of people with disabilities in our community.”