Headway of WNY, Inc.

A support and advocacy agency
for individuals with brain injuries,
disabilities and seniors.

About Headway of Western New York

Headway of Western New York is a support and advocacy agency for persons with brain injuries and other disabilities and is the Regional Resource Center/Single Point of Entry for the Department of Health's Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver and the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver.

"In a moment, our family's life was changed forever."

There are no words to express the fears, anguish and despair of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors and their families. Every thirteen seconds, someone in the United States sustains a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The effects can be devastating for the survivors, as well as their families and friends.

Each year, approximately 2.5 million persons in the U.S. are hospitalized with traumatic brain injury and survive according to the CDC's 2010 statistics. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. From 2006 to 2014, the number of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths increased by 53%. In 2014, an average of 155 people in the United States died each day from injuries that include a TBI. Those who survive a TBI can face effects that last a few days, or the rest of their lives. Effects of TBI can include impairments related to thinking or memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression). These issues not only affect individuals but also can have lasting effects on families and communities. (CDC statistics).

Founded in 1985, by caring families and individuals who had survived brain injury and other disabilities, Headway of Western New York, Inc. became affiliated with People Inc. in 2012 and is a now a non-profit agency that provides advocacy, resources, support groups, educational outreach/presentations, newsletters, symposiums, identification of supports and more.

As an affiliate of People Inc., Headway supports the following statement:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement from People Inc.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire agency, People Inc. and its affiliates are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for everyone—the people that we support, our employees and our communities.
Recently, there has been civil unrest locally and across the nation regarding social injustices and systemic oppression for people of color. We express our sincere condolences to the families of people that have lost loved ones and who have been harmed due to horrific, racially-based acts. We strongly denounce racism and violence in society, and support the need for equality for all people of color.

We will continue to work together with the help of our DEI Committee to unite our communities and create a better future for all.