350-mile bike ride calls attention to the need for greater inclusion for people with disabilities

Our Ability’s seventh annual ‘Journey Along the Erie Canal’ began Monday morning at Canalside in Buffalo. John Robinson will lead a 350-mile, 10-day ride across New York via the historic Erie Canalway Trail to raise awareness of the need for increased access to employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Journey will continue through July 10, ending in Albany, N.Y. at Jennings Landing.

Our Ability, a network of services that champions inclusivity for people with disabilities, works with businesses to deepen understanding of the value people with disabilities bring to the workplace while also serving as a bridge between individuals and employment opportunities. During the ride, Our Ability will capture photos and videos that highlight the importance of its ongoing work and share the beauty of New York State

As he embarks on this year’s journey, Robinson is also encouraging more companies to join the New York Business Leadership Network (NYBLN), a coalition of businesses in New York State interested in hiring and supporting businesses owned by individuals with disabilities.

More than 20 employees of M&T Bank, a NYBLN member organization, joined Robinson for the first section of the Journey Along the Erie Canal, and about 20 more M&T employees visited Canalside Monday morning to cheer them on. Many are members of M&T Bank’s Disability Advocacy Network, an employee resource group that promotes forward-thinking, unbiased culture surrounding the acceptance and inclusion of individuals impacted by disability.

For a complete list of events, itinerary and donation efforts, visit https://www.ourability.com/journey-along-the-erie-canal/.

Additional details about the send-off events happening each morning of the Journey can also be found at Our Ability’s events page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/JourneyAlongTheErieCanal/events/

For more information about M&T Bank’s Disability Advocacy Network and its other Employee Resource Groups, visit: https://www.mtb.com/careers/diversity-inclusion/employee-resource-groups