On Monday, April 8, 2024, a Total Solar Eclipse will be observable in the Western New York and Rochester areas. This is one of the few places in the country where the eclipse can be observed. This rare event will draw close to a million people to the Western New York area and approximately half a million to the greater Rochester area. This influx of people will put a significant strain on infrastructure and services we rely on typically without delay.

Agency Operations: Because of this influx of people, there are several areas of agency operations that will be closed on April 8, they are as follows:

• Administrative locations in Buffalo and Rochester - Staff that work out of these buildings have several options regarding their hours from working from home, to making up the hours, to taking paid time off.     
   
• Day Services, Respite and Rehabilitative Health Services - Staff will report to their sister Residential site to assist with covering persons served that will now be home during daytime hours. 

Thomas Ess, People Inc. Vice President for Emergency Management, was interviewed by WBFO's Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins on why plain language communication matters on communicating about the eclipse and how the eclipse is changing operations at the agency for April 8.
Learn more

Eclipse Viewing Safety: It is unsafe to view the eclipse without special glasses designed for such an event. 

Note: Sunglasses DO NOT offer the appropriate level of protection.

Eclipse viewing glasses will be distributed to staff and persons served at certain locations in the coming weeks. For staff, there will also be a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses available on a first come first served basis at administrative locations beginning the week of March 25. Additionally, appropriate eclipse viewing glasses may be found at locations in the community, including public libraries.

Solar eclipse viewing safety reference guides are available in English and Spanish. 

Additional information is available from NASA and New York State.