The History of WNYFACES

WNYFACES initially began in the late 1990s as a grassroots parent support group, founded by parents and guardians (particularly mothers) of children with disabilities who were seeking guidance and expertise in an underserved and often misunderstood area of the law. Our co-founders had quickly discovered there to be systemic barriers that resulted in injustice(s) to take place, and were forced on a journey to educate themselves on the intricate rules and regulations surrounding special education and civil rights to receive an appropriate education for their children.

Sheila Barr
Co-Founder

In Memoriam - (2024)

Our co-founders quickly recognized that the need for special education representation and advocacy extended far beyond their own families. Driven by their commitment to justice, they began utilizing the knowledge and expertise they had gained to assist other parents in navigating the complexities of the special education and administrative system(s). Within just a few years, what started as a small parent support group evolved into a dedicated effort to help other families secure the rights and accommodations their children deserved.

As the Corporation grew, so did its expertise in special education and disability rights advocacy. The co-founders built a robust network of experienced service providers, creating vital connections to support families in need. Their efforts did not go unnoticed; as in the late 90s to today, our Corporation and co-founders Brenda Shepard and Sheila Barr were featured in various articles, including the Buffalo News, for their tenacity in fighting what what was/is described as a “warzone” in “the battlefield of public education.”

In August 2003, Western New York Family Advocacy for Children’s Educational Services, Inc. (WNYFACES) was officially incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Corporation. It was founded with the mission to bridge the gap between parents and the implementation of appropriate recommendations and services for their children, while simultaneously empowering these families in how and when to advocate for and assert their protected civil rights.

From its inception as a formal entity, WNYFACES continued to operate on a volunteer basis, driven by a deep commitment to serving the community and operating on donations. Over the years, the organization has proudly assisted in the advocacy of hundreds of individuals and families.

WNYFACES is proud to embark onto the next chapter in 2025. With recent additions and a strategic restructuring of the Corporation, we will now be providing legal representation through attorneys licensed to practice in the State of New York. This milestone enables us to formally engage in attorney-client relationships, furthering our mission to provide and connect expert legal advocacy and representation to individuals in need of assistance, in full compliance with the New York State Rules of Professional Conduct.

As we enter this new chapter, we are excited and honored to expand our capabilities, further enhancing our ability to serve the incredible people and community of Western New York.

For over nearly 30 years, WNYFACES has proudly served the Western New York community, providing charitable and volunteer services with unwavering dedication. Our advocates have been recognized as expert witnesses in municipal and state court(s) in order to offer invaluable insight into the complexities of special education. This includes the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (“IEPs”) and Section 504 plans, navigating the administrative process(s), addressing adversarial relationships with Local Educational Agencies (“LEAs”), and much more.

Special education and disability rights advocacy are at the very core of who we are. It is not just our mission— but our passion, expertise, and our driving force. At WNYFACES, we take immense pride in the impact we have made and remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for every child, family and individual we serve.

Special education and disability rights advocacy isn’t just in our work,
it’s in our blood.