Independent Idaho

Episode Description For many Idahoans, driving isn't just about getting from one place to another—it's the key to employment, healthcare, family, and independence. Until now, however, Idaho has had limited access to specialized driving rehabilitation services for people whose disabilities, injuries, or medical conditions affect their ability to drive. In this episode of Independent Idaho ,...

Randy Nilson spent decades working, saving, paying taxes, and building a life in Idaho. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), he adapted to changing mobility needs and continued working for many years. Today, despite living modestly and wanting nothing more than to remain in his own home, Medicaid policies put him at risk of losing the independence he worked so hard to maintain. In t...

In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Weaver, LCSW, MPA, Program Manager for the Family Caregiver Navigator Project at the Idaho Caregiver Alliance. A fourth-generation Idahoan born in Mountain Home, Sheila has spent more than 20 years serving Idaho families through a wide range of roles in state government and community systems. Our conversation explores the growing importance of supporting fa...

Elissa Ellis is the Executive Director of the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), a national disability-led membership organization that supports Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and disability advocates serving rural communities across the United States. APRIL works to advance the rights, independence, and full inclusi...

Jessica Jackman is a disability and family caregiver advocate from Pocatello, Idaho, and is affiliated with Fair Care Idaho, a grassroots organization focused on protecting and strengthening supports for Idaho families who provide in-home care to loved ones with disabilities. Drawing from her lived experience as a caregiver for her son, Jessica has become an active voice in statewide discussions s...

Don Kostelec is a transportation and community planning professional with more than 25 years of experience focused on creating safer, healthier, and more equitable communities through transportation and land use planning. His work across the United States has emphasized active transportation, Complete Streets, Health Impact Assessments, and the integration of public health into planning processes,...

Donald Pope is a father, a chef, a stroke survivor, and a LINC consumer who has worked like hell to get out of a nursing home and back into the community. He shares his story of escape, hope, joy, and more.

Laine Amoureux is a prominent digital accessibility and assistive technology consultant, trainer, and community advocate based in Boise, Idaho. She is widely recognized for her leadership in promoting inclusion and universal design across public infrastructure and digital platforms in the Treasure Valley. You learn more about Laine and her work at https://learn.amoureuxatconsulting.com/.

Our guests today are Felica Duce and Richard Renz with Vision Counseling Services and Education. Felica, the founder and owner, and Richard, a social worker and combat veteran, talk about their passion for helping people, particularly people in the correctional system, and their big plans for their new podcast, "I don't want to talk to you." Learn more about Visions Counseling: https...

In this episode, Nick Wyatt interviews Cyndy Radovich, founder and owner of Sweet Zola's Candy, and Robin Wyatt, assistant manager. Sweet Zola’s Candy is a non-profit candy shop that hires and trains individuals with developmental disabilities in order for them to gain real world experience and refine their professional skills. Our goal is for every one of our employees to be prepared and exci...

Our guest today is Andrew Mills. Andrew is an emerging leader in the disability rights movement with a passion for affordable and accessible transportation.

Today, we’re talking with artist Susan Lasater, who works across multiple mediums and tackles tough conversations head-on. She shares her experiences with barriers in education, her creativity, and the signals she pays attention to in the universe. You can learn more about Susan on her Substack at https://susanlasater.substack.com/ .

Our guest today is Kelli Romine. Kelli is the Vocational Services Program Manager with LINC. Kelli earned an undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture and Business Management from Woodbury University. She is a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner, a Transition Manager with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, an ADA Coordinator, and is an ACRE Certified Employment Specialist. Kelli has mor...

Our guest today is Amanda Olsen. Amanda is a non-attorney advocate with Disability Rights Idaho who helped launch Determined to Vote, the nonpartisan voter toolkit for Idahoans with disabilities. We talk with Amanda about the importance of voting, changes in Idaho’s voting laws, how the DRI toolkit can support people with disabilities who want to vote, and more. You can checkout the Determined to...

Our guest today is Non Reyes. Among so many other things, Non is a father, husband, artist, and activist. Non serves on LINC's Board of Directors and I have the pleasure of interviewing Non at his home in Nampa. This is the first of three episodes with Non, where he shares the story of his life and family, his accident and disability, and how he makes a difference in the world each and every day....

Our guests today are Linda and Mikee, and through their stories, an incredible performance artist named Frank Moore. Linda and Mikee share their experiences with Frank living and loving in the Bay Area in the ‘70s until Franks passing in 2013. Frank, an artist with Cerebral Palsy, led a life that would be impossible to fully describe in this introduction, so I will leave you to listen to Frank’s s...

Our guest today is Theo Braddy. Theo is the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, which is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Theo shares his personal history of becoming a disability rights leader, as well as the future of the disability rights movement. Click here for more info on NCIL.

Our guest today is Meda Thompson. Meda shares her experience growing up with two parents who are deaf, her travels and adventures in real estate throughout the West, and her work as an IL Specialist with LINC with a focus on the intersection of disability and LGBTQ issues. For more information on the Idaho Pride Business League, click here .

For a transcript of this episode, click here . Our guests today, Rayna Sage and Lillie Greiman, traveled all the way from the University of Montana, Missoula, to meet with LINC staff in Twin Falls and collaborate on our work together empowering Idahoans with disabilities in the rural parts of our service area. Rayna is a rural sociologist who began working with the University of Montana’s Research...

For a transcript of this episode, click ⁠ here⁠ . Our guest today is Nikeela Abrams. Nikeela is an attorney and Idaho Supreme Court approved mediator for family law cases, as well as the founder of the Idaho Mediation Center. She is a former veteran jockey who was injured during a race in 2018 and now uses a wheelchair. As a legacy project, Nikeela founded Idaho for All with the mission of supplyi...

For a transcript of this episode, click here . Our guest today is Tarey Potter. Tarey is the Assistive Technology and Durable Medical Equipment Specialist at LINC, as well as an artist and all around tinkerer. We speak with Tarey about his life, keeping people independent in their homes and communities, and what his plans are for the future.

Our guest today is Nick Wyatt. This is Nick's second time on Independent Idaho and he gives us an update on his new job as a LINC Transportation Specialist, his adventures shooting an AR-15 for the first time, and his upcoming podcast series.

For a transcript of this episode, click  here . Our guest today is Tricia Dunne. Tricia is a mother, an advocate, and a resident of Idaho's Wood River Valley. She shares the story of her journey out west and her life in a small, rural Idaho community.

For a transcript of this episode, click here . Today, our guest is Sean Spence. Sean is the author of a new book titled, "Breaking Barriers: Disability History in the United States." The book is available for purchase online, and profits will go to charity. More information, including how to purchase the book, can be found at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/disability-history-book#/...

For a transcript of this episode, click here . Our guest today is Blue Hadden. Blue is a born and raised Idahoan who grew up as a hunting guide, ranch hand, and horse trainer in Shoshone, Idaho. Blue shares his story of surviving a serious automobile accident, learning to live life in a wheelchair, and fighting for his life as a person with a disability who was incarcerated. Blue also shares how h...