Independent Perspective

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.

Amanda Hergert, a Vocational Peer Support Specialist with Mental Health Peer Connection, joins the program to discuss MHPC's Job Club and Vocational Skills training opportunities for anyone dealing with a mental health diagnosis.

Rob Brandon, WNYIL’s Healthy Living Coordinator, joins the program to provide an overview of the benefits of the Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled program, and its role in the Medicaid process.

Rob Brandon, WNYIL's Healthy Living Coordinator, joins the program to discuss the CORE Program and its focus on adult behavioral health.

Mental Health Peer Connection Director Kevin Smith joins the program to discuss how to combat any mental health issues that may arise during the holiday season.

WNYIL's Chief Community Engagement Officer Tracy LeBlanc joins the program to discuss the 2026 Disability Pride Festival, which is scheduled for July 24, 2026.

Frank Cammarata, Executive Director of the Erie County Office for the Disabled, joins the program to discuss winter preparedness in Western New York.

WNYIL's Chief Community Engagement Officer Tracy LeBlanc joins the program to discuss Giving Tuesday and how your donations can support WNYIL consumers.

WNYIL CEO Stephanie Orlando stops by the podcast to talk about Giving Tuesday and how your support assists people with disabilities.

Ashley Henhawk, New York Connects Outreach Specialist for the Seneca Nation, joins the program to discuss Native American Heritage Month.

Abbey Marchewka, veteran-directed, peer-centered counselor at WNY Independent Living, joins the program to discuss the services available to Veterans who may need help with activities of daily living.

Renee Law, Program Manager at Mental Health Peer Connection's Renewal Center joins the program to talk about the Renewal Center's services and the adjustment to the Center's hours beginning November 1, 2025.

Learn about the upcoming Meat Raffle fundraiser to benefit the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service.