Independent Perspective

One of the core values of WNY Independent Living is our belief in empowering people with disabilities to make their own choices and live independently. But what happens when health issues challenge your ability to live independently in your home environment? Joining us today to talk about available options to modify your living space to ensure it meets your needs is WNYIL’s Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk.

The Niagara Frontier Radio Service has been a part of the WNYIL Family of Agencies since December 2018. Radio Reading has been on the air for nearly 40 years offering readings of a host of print publications to assist people who have difficulty reading on their own. Joining us today to talk about Radio Reading and one of their upcoming fundraisers is Marian Hetherly.

Election Day 2026 is coming up in a few weeks, and voting is on the minds of many people in our region and throughout the country. As a mid-term election, this year’s votes may have a significant impact on what happens in our country and region over the next two years. To assist voters in understanding the issues, WNYIL is hosting Meet the Candidates events this month in Buffalo, Batavia and Niagara Falls.  WNYIL’s Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk joined the show  to discuss the upcoming elections and our Meet the Candidates events.

September is National Preparedness Month. The month focuses on what your family should do to be ready for an emergency. Having a plan and being prepared is especially important for people with disabilities. Frank Cammarata, Director of the Erie County Office for People with Disabilities, joined the show to offer advice on being prepared should an emergency arise.

There are many resources available for people with disabilities to assist with day-to-day living. One of those resources includes utilizing an animal to support your needs. But questions often arise about the difference between service animals and assistance animals, and what is allowable with each. WNYIL’s Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk joined the show to talk about the difference between service and assistance animals in the community.

For the second consecutive year, Independent Living of the Genesee Region is hosting a Parking Lot Party at its main location in Batavia. This event is designed to be a day of community and togetherness for the area. ILGR team members Kristen Lazarony and Christine Perrin joined the show to talk about ILGR’s upcoming Parking Lot Party.

WNYIL’s Mental Health Peer Connection hosts activities and events designed to bring the community together with a mental health and wellness focus. The annual Kites and Kindness cookout is one of those events. MHPC Director Kevin Smith joined the show to talk about the upcoming Kites and Kindness Cookout.

Independent Living of Niagara County is hosting its 3rd annual Cornhole for a Cause fundraiser in just a few short weeks. In addition to raising funds, this event is designed to be a day of community and support. Addict to Addict Peer Support Specialist Doug Bisher joined  the show to talk about ILNC’s upcoming Cornhole for a Cause fundraiser.

For people with disabilities or chronic health conditions, the ability to manage their lives and their health directly is paramount to maintaining their independence. The Taking Control Self-Directed Home Care program here at WNYIL is designed to support that level of independence.  Taking Control’s Speaker Series is a new component this year that touches on topics that are relevant to consumers living independently in the community. Julie Andrews, the Director of Taking Control, returned to the show today to talk about some upcoming topics covered through the speaker series.

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed globally on August 31st each year. It is the world's largest annual campaign to remember loved ones lost, acknowledge the grief of families and friends, and spread awareness about evidence-based overdose prevention to save lives.  In recognition of the day, the team from Addict to Addict at Independent Living of Niagara County are hosting an overdose awareness day rally on August 31st in the city of Lockport. ILNC Recovery Peer Services Coordinator Erin Zych and Addict 2 Addict Peer Support Specialist Doug Bisher joined the show to to talk about the upcoming Overdose Awareness Day R...

Supporting good mental health is part of the work we do at WNYIL through Mental Health Peer Connection. One of the options we offer for someone who is experiencing or approaching a mental health crisis is the Renewal Center in Buffalo. New this year, the team at the Renewal Center is joining with other agencies to offer a community event designed to bring awareness to the services offered in the area of mental health. Renee Law, MHPC Program Manager for the Renewal Center, joined the program to talk about the upcoming Health and Wellness Fair at the Kirsten Vincent Respite...

Our focus today is on the artistic side.  The ARTiculations project is a collaboration between Independent Living of the Genesee Region and the University Heights Arts Association. This project creates a welcoming and accessible space for artists with disabilities. Rae Frank, Director of ILGR, as well as Larry and Mary Kinney from the University Heights Arts Association, joined the program to talk about the history of the ARTiculations Exhibition project.

July 26 is the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities act, with this year celebrating 36 years since this groundbreaking legislation was enacted by then President George HW Bush. This legislation was followed in 1999 by the Olmstead ACT which further solidified the rights of people with disabilities to receive services and support in community settings rather than being institutionalized. Recent memos from the US Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel have challenged this long held interpretation of the ADA and the Olmstead Act. WNYIL’s Chief Policy Officer, Todd Vaarwerk, joined the show to talk about the history of...

The 2026 Disability Pride Festival is coming up this week on Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Riverworks. As a celebration of people of all abilities, one of the areas in focus during the festival is accessibility. Mike Rogers, chairperson of the Festival's Accessibility Committee joined the show to discuss the accessibility features of the Festival and the venue.

The 2026 Disability Pride Festival is taking place on Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Riverworks. Among the many activities taking place that day, the Festival will feature a Speaker’s Series. Mike Rembis, chairperson of the Speaker Series, joined the show to talk about the Speaker Series and the activities taking place during the Festival.

For the past few years in July, Independent Living of Niagara County hosts a public event to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The event is a day of celebration and togetherness, and one the team at ILNC looks forward to hosting. ILNC Director April Fearby joined the show to talk about ILNC’s upcoming Block Party for Independence.

Taking Control Self-Directed Home Care is designed to give individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions the ability to manage their lives and their health directly. Over the past few months, we have introduced you to Taking Control’s new Speaker Series.  Julie Andrews, the Director of Taking Control, returned to the show to provide an update on the last few workshops in the Speaker Series, as well as a preview of what is coming up next.

Mental Health PEER Connection is a WNYIL agency that is run for and by people with behavioral health disabilities, providing a person-centered approach to peer counseling, among other services. The A2A and F2F programs within MHPC provide support for people dealing with substance use disorders and their families and loved ones. Later this month, the A2A and F2F teams will be offering two public forums designed to strengthen support for those experiencing substance use disorders. Mental Health PEER Connection Recovery Peer Specialist, Arthur Maedl, and MHPC Assistant Director, Cathie Campbell joined the show to talk about...

The 2026 Disability Pride Festival is taking place Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Riverworks from two to seven pm. It will be a day filled with activities for all ages and abilities. Holly Nidell, one of the event’s planning committee members, joined the show to provide us with the details on the day’s activities.

The annual Disability Pride Festival is a collaboration of multiple community organizations to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. This year’s festival is scheduled for Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Riverworks. Joining us today to tell us about the significance of the Disability Pride Festival is Holly Nidell, one of the event’s planning committee members.

An affiliate of the WNYIL Family of Agencies since 2018, the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service is a volunteer-driven radio station that provides free audio versions of national and local newspapers, magazines, and books 24/7 for people who are blind or have another reading disability. To support their work, Radio Reading hosts fundraising events throughout the year. The Summer Bash Fundraiser, coming up at the end of June, is one of those events. Radio Reading’s, Marian Hetherly, joined the show to talk about Radio Reading and their upcoming event.

Election season is an important topic for discussion every year. But while conversations often focus heavily on the general election in November, the local primary elections don’t receive as much notice. WNYIL’s Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk joined the show to talk about the importance of Primary Elections and what we should pay attention to.

Affordable housing is a topic that is top of mind in any economic climate, but more so when inflation is high and monthly expenses become more difficult to manage. The team at Independent Living of the Genesee Region works to assist community members with advice and assistance related to securing housing or shelter. ILGR Rapid Rehousing Housing Coordinator Kristen Lazarony joined the show to talk about housing programs and services in the Genesee County area.

Taking Control Self-Directed Home Care is designed to give individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions the ability to manage their lives and their health directly. In April, we introduced a new workshop series: the Taking Control Speaker Series.  Julie Andrews, the Director of Taking Control, joined the show again this week to provide an update on the 2026 Speaker Series, as well as a preview of what is coming up next.

July 26, 1990 marked a significant day in Disability history. On that day, then President George Herbert Walker Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. This law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. Western New York Independent Living’s Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk joined the show to talk about the history and significance of the ADA.

Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and assert one’s own needs, rights, and interests effectively. It involves communicating, negotiating for oneself, and making informed decisions. This skill is crucial in daily life. Julia Lange, ACCES-VR Peer Support Specialist, joined the program to talk about an upcoming workshop series at Western New York Independent Living on how to be your own best advocate.

For the past ten years, Independent Living of the Genesee Region and the university Heights Arts Association have created a welcoming and accessible space for artists with disabilities through the ARTiculations project, an artist display area located right in the main entrance of ILGR. Rae Frank, Director of ILGR, as well as Larry and Mary Kinney from the University Heights Arts Association, joined the show to talk about the ARTiculations project and the 10-year anniversary of the collaboration.

Wellness is a journey that is different for everyone. Our wellness impacts every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. As a path to wellness, the team at Independent Living of the Genesee Region practices the New York State Office of Mental Health model where all people and their communities can attain wellness and resiliency. ILGR Program Specialist Rebecca Batt joins the program to talk about the importance of a wellness plan in the workplace and in life, as well as some trauma informed wellness initiatives.

Taking Control Self-Directed Home Care provides programs that empower individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions to shape their support to fit their lives. WNYIL’s Taking Control team is enhancing the work it does with consumers through the addition of a monthly speaker’s series on topics such as technology, finance, mental health and more. Taking Control Director Julie Andrews joined the show to discuss the 2026 Speaker Series and what is coming up next.

In partnership with the Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, Western New York Independent Living’s Healthy Living Department works to guide individuals toward programs and services that can help them to live their lives in the best way possible. Topic specific workshops are one way for an individual to learn about healthy living options. WNYIL Healthy Living Coordinator Rob Brandon joined the show to discuss the upcoming Choose Healthy WNY Self-Management workshop series.

An agency of Western New York Independent Living, Mental Health PEER Connection is an organization run for and by people with behavioral health disabilities. One of the hallmarks of MHPC’s work is finding ways to open lines of communication to support consumers. This work can be accomplished through support groups taking one of two tracks: substance use disorder or mental health support.  MHPC’s Assistant Director Cathie Campbell joined the show to talk about some of the options available for those dealing with substance use disorder.

Mental Health PEER Connection is an organization run for and by people with behavioral health disabilities. As a part of Western New York Independent Living, MHPC focuses on finding ways to meet consumers where they are at. That’s why MHPC offers support groups geared toward improving and sustaining your mental health. MHPC Assistant Director Cathie Campbell joined the show to talk about mental health support groups.

Changes in technology take place rapidly in our current society. For businesses, understanding and adapting to trends in technology is vital. But individuals outside of business often struggle to keep up with changes in tech; leaving you with the question of what to do to make sure you don’t get left behind. WNYIL’s IT Coordinator Rick Woods joined the show to offer some tips and tricks to help you in keeping up with the latest technology.

Western New York Independent Living is one of approximately 40 non-profits agencies who work together to present the Disability Pride Festival every year in July. This year’s festival will be held on Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Riverworks, and the festival committees are hard at work planning the day’s activities. Stage entertainment is a big part of the celebration. Sophia Roberts from the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, one of the partner agencies in planning the festival, joined the program to talk about the planning as well as how you can get involved.

One of the many services offered by Western New York Independent Living is Independence Express, a fee-based transportation program that offers rides for people with disabilities who reside in one of five Western New York Counties. Joining us to tell us more about the transportation program at Western New York Independent Living is Cathy Colicchia, Director of Independence Express.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was meant to remove discrimination in the housing process, but one area that was not initially addressed was fair housing for people with disabilities. That was rectified approximately 20 years later, but there is still work to be done. Western New York Independent Living’s Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk joined the program to talk about fair housing and what it means to people with disabilities.

The New York State Budget process plays a significant role in supporting services for the disability community. So that means that New York State budget season is a busy time of year for Western New York Independent Living’s Policy Office. WNYIL's Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk joined the show to talk about the state budget process and its impact on WNYIL and the Disability Community.

Western New York Independent Living offers a number of services to consumers to assist with many aspects of life. One of those services is the existence of medical loan closets at each of the three Independent Living Centers where consumers can borrow gently used medical equipment. Aaron Baier, WNYIL’s Chief Operations Officer, and Niccanda Watkins, Independent Living Specialist, at the Buffalo Independent Living Center, joined the program to discuss the available items and the process for requesting assistance.

Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service is a special radio station that broadcasts national and local newspapers, magazines, and best-selling books 24/7, for the 100,000 people across Western New York and Southern Ontario who are blind or have another reading disability. The nonprofit has been on the air for nearly 40 years, and became part of the WNYIL family of agencies in December 2018. Radio Reading's Marian Heatherly joins the program to discuss available volunteer opportunities.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region has a new ARTiculations Exhibition that will run through March 31, 2026. Rae Frank, Director of Independent Living of the Genesee Region and Llana Cowie, Artist, join the program to discuss the ARTiculations Exhibition project and the current exhibit.