Independent Perspective

WNYIL’s focus on community accessibility for people with disabilities has recently been expanded to include a newly created position to assist the community with increasing physical and programmatic accessibility to local events, locations, and services, as well as to educate them about accessibility issues for people with disabilities.  WNYIL’s Community Accessibility Specialist Yoojin Kim joined...

ICAN is a Health Initiative program of Community Service Society of New York, or CSS, and is funded by the State of New York. CSS has a network of community-based organizations across New York State with staff dedicated to the ICAN program. WNYIL is the ICAN community-based organization for the Western New York Region. Joining us to talk about ICAN and the services offered is ICAN Outreach and Edu...

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 To...

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 Niaga...

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 ser...

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 l...

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 overdos...

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 a...

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...

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 inst...

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 S...

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 fo...

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 c...

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...

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...