On this episode of Let's Talk Disability, Michelle and Kendra talk with Mikayla. This conversation is about growth, hope and connection. Mikayla shares tools of how she is navigating life and new lessons from being in her 30's.

Each episode in this series will expand the conversation about the experience of living with a disability.

For resources about disability services in your area, you can contact Ability Montana by calling 1-800-735-6457 or visiting abilitymt.org.

Episode transcript: ⁠Transcript (Google Doc)⁠

For questions, suggestions, or if you want to be on the show, contact Disability Voices at:

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Instagram: ⁠@disabilityvoices

On this episode of Get Connected, Cassie and Kendra sit down with Jancee and Terryn from Butte Native Wellness Center.

Butte Native Wellness Center is an outpatient clinic that serves the American Indian and Alaska Native communities of Butte, Montana, and the surrounding areas. Their clinic provides primary health and wellness services such as mental health, substance abuse recovery, diabetes care, education and prevention, and other primary healthcare essentials. They are committed to delivering quality care using both medical expertise as well as the traditional healing practices our patients’ ancestors have utilized for thousands of years.

For more information about their services, visit them at 55 E Galena in Butte, MT, call 406-782-0461, go online to buttenwc.org, or email [email protected].

For other questions about living independently, or if you are unsure of how to get connected, contact Ability Montana at 1-800-735-6457 or abilitymt.org for more support.

Episode transcript: ⁠⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)

For questions, suggestions, or if you want to be on the show, contact Disability Voices at:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠⁠

On this episode of Get Connected, Cassie and Kendra sit down with Faith from Big Sky 55+.

Big Sky 55+ is an organization of Montanans 55 and over bringing people together to work for solutions that make life better for Montanans of all ages. Their vision includes policy reforms that generate government actions to effectively bolster markets and provide adequate public services in the 21st century.On this episode, we discuss some of the outcomes of the 2025 Legislative Session and review Big Sky 55+'s scorecard.

For more information about their program, visit the Big Sky 55+ Website. To contact Faith, email her at [email protected]

If you want to review Ability Montana's Scorecard and see how your local legislator voted on key disability issues, it can be found here: Ability Montana's Scorecard (PDF).

For other questions about living independently, or if you are unsure of how to get connected, contact Ability Montana at 1-800-735-6457 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠abilitymt.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more support.

Episode transcript: ⁠⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)⁠⁠⁠

For questions, suggestions, or if you want to be on the show, contact Disability Voices at:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠⁠

On this episode of Get Connected, Kendra sits down with Nancy from the Butte Aging at Home Program, part of Butte-Silver Bow's Community Development Division.

The Butte Aging at Home Program offers free home safety modifications and small repairs for eligible older homeowners in Butte-Silver Bow County. Listen to the full episode for details and eligibility criteria for this program. You can apply for the Butte Aging at Home Program here: Butte Aging at Home Application (Google Form).

For more information about the program, visit their website: Butte Aging at Home Website.

You can also contact Nancy directly by calling 406-497-6264.

For other questions about living independently, or if you are unsure of how to get connected, contact Ability Montana at 1-800-735-6457 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠abilitymt.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more support.

Episode transcript: ⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)⁠⁠

For questions, suggestions, or if you want to be on the show, contact Disability Voices at:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠

On this episode of Get Connected, Cassie and Kendra sit down with Molly from the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities to talk about their program, MonTECH.

MonTECH provides technology, support, and services that improve the quality of life for Montanans with disabilities. Folks can try out different assistive technology devices for free! Listen to the episode to hear about what kinds of devices they have in their library and how to access them.

For more information and to check out their catalog of devices, go to The MonTECH Website ⁠.

For other questions about living independently, or if you are unsure of how to get connected, contact Ability Montana at 1-800-735-6457 or ⁠⁠abilitymt.org⁠⁠ for more support.

Episode transcript: ⁠Transcript (Google Doc)⁠

For questions, suggestions, or if you want to be on the show, contact Disability Voices at:

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@disabilityvoices

Thank you so much for joining us during the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. Listen to this episode for our thoughts on the session as a whole and the status of some of the bills we have been tracking along the way.

Keep an eye out for periodical updates on here about federal legislation, interim committees, and administrative hearings.

If you want to stay involved, reached out to Ability Montana about joining a Disability Action Network near you. Call us at 1-800-735-6457 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠abilitymt.org⁠⁠⁠.

Contact the podcast:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Transcript: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)

On this episode of Get Connected, Andrew, Kendra and Mikayla sit down to talk about the upcoming Let's Talk Disability Productions from Ability Montana.

Let’s Talk Disability is monologue production amplifying the voices of people with disabilities, fostering dialogue, understanding, and awareness. Every year, a new cohort of individuals from each community share their personal stories about the lived experience of having a disability. These stories range from emotional to humorous, profound to lighthearted, all with the shared goal of showing that life doesn’t stop—it simply moves forward in new and meaningful ways.

For more context about the show and it's origin, go listen to the podcast on our feed titled LET'S TALK DISABILITY | 01 | Barb and Natalie.

Join us at this year's events:

• Butte Art Show: FREE Opening on April 4th from 5-8pm at the IBRC (68 W Park St, Butte, MT). Featuring artists with disabilities, including past and current participants of the show.
• Butte Production: April 17th and 18th at 6pm at Montana Tech Auditorium in the Library Building (1300 W Park St, Butte, MT)
• Helena Production: May 15th and 16th at 7pm at FLEX Theatre at Carroll College (1601 N Benton Ave, Helena, MT)

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit abilitymt.org.

For other questions about living independently, or if you are unsure of how to get connected, contact Ability Montana at 1-800-735-6457 or ⁠⁠⁠abilitymt.org⁠⁠⁠ for more support.

Episode transcript: ⁠Transcript (Google Doc)⁠

For questions, suggestions, or if you want to be on the show, contact Disability Voices at:

Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Finding a Center for Independent Living near you: Call us toll-free at Ability Montana at 1-800-735-6457 or visit mtcil.org.

Caffeinate and Advocate: Weekly group at Ability Montana to discuss updates, practice testimony, or learn more about the legislative process. Fridays from 9:00-11:30 am. In person at the Butte Office (820 W Platinum, Butte MT) or online via Zoom (call 406-782-4834 to be sent the link).

Bills we mentioned in this episode:

HB 38: Revise laws related to disability parking

HB 245: Revise the Montana HELP Act workforce development provisions and termination date

SB 72: Provide presumptive eligibility for Medicaid coverage of home and community-based services

SB 82: Establish adjustment to blindness program

HB 341: Revise laws relating to brain injuries

HB 576: Revise funding for medicaid and health and support services to children and to adults who are aged, blind, and disabled

SB 300: Providing protections for service dogs and handlers

HB 607: Provide for the hearing aid coverage act

HB 601: Create online portal for community assisters related to Medicaid

HB 574: Authorizing implementation of the certified community behavioral health clinic model

HB 488: Allowing a disabled voter to electronically return a ballot

Follow these bills at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bills.legmt.gov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Upcoming times to get involved:

Monday, March 24th, 2025: Public Hearing for SB 300 in (H) Human Services Committee at 3:00pm in Room 152

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 607 in (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee at 8:30am in Room 422

Wednesday, March 26th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 601 in (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee at 3:00pm in Room 317

Wednesday, March 26th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 574 in (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee at 3:00pm in Room 317

Friday, March 28th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 488 in (S) State Administration at 3:00pm in Room 355

How to get involved in the legislative process:

Send a message to a committee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call the switchboard: 406-444-4800

Find and contact your legislator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sign up to give testimony via Zoom: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our email list at Ability Montana: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Form (Google Doc)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Transcript: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Caffeinate and Advocate: Weekly group at Ability Montana to discuss updates, practice testimony, or learn more about the legislative process. Fridays from 9:00-11:30 am. In person at the Butte Office (820 W Platinum, Butte MT) or online via Zoom (call 406-782-4834 to be sent the link).

Bills we mentioned in this episode:

HB 184: Modify language in the MCA that may diminish the dignity of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing

HB 341: Revise laws relating to brain injuries

SB 72: Provide presumptive eligibility for Medicaid coverage of home and community-based services

HB 307: Generally revise laws related to licensing donations for disabled veterans

HB 601: Create online portal for community assisters related to Medicaid

HB 488: Allowing a disabled voter to electronically return a ballot

HB 618: Provide for a Montana individual freedom act

HB 635: Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

HB 245: Revise the Montana HELP Act workforce development provisions and termination date

Follow these bills at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bills.legmt.gov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Upcoming times to get involved:

Monday, March 17th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 184 in (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee at 3:00pm in Room 317

Monday, March 17th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 341 in (S) Highways and Transportation Committee at 3:00pm in Room 422

Tuesday, March 18th, 2025: Public Hearing for SB 72 in (H) Human Services Committee at 3:00pm in Room 152

Wednesday, March 19th, 2025: Disability Rally Day at the Montana State Capitol at 11:00am in the Rotunda

Thursday, March 20th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 307 in (S) Fish and Game Committee at 3:00pm in Room 422

Wednesday, March 26th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 601 in (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee at 3:00pm in Room 317

Friday, March 28th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 488 in (S) State Administration at 3:00pm in Room 355

How to get involved in the legislative process:

Send a message to a committee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call the switchboard: 406-444-4800

Find and contact your legislator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sign up to give testimony via Zoom: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our email list at Ability Montana: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Form (Google Doc)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Transcript: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Disability Right's History Documentary: Crip Camp is available to watch for free on Youtube. Crimp Camp (Youtube)

Caffeinate and Advocate: Weekly group at Ability Montana to discuss updates, practice testimony, or learn more about the legislative process. Fridays from 9:00-11:30 am. In person at the Butte Office (820 W Platinum, Butte MT) or online via Zoom (call 406-782-4834 to be sent the link).

Bills we mentioned in this episode:

HB 386: Revising laws related to continuous Medicaid eligibility

HB 395: Generally revise voting laws related to individuals of unsound mind

SB 194: Eliminate the board of public assistance

SB 72: Provide presumptive eligibility for Medicaid coverage of home and community-based services

SB 82: Establish adjustment to blindness program

SB 300: Providing protections for service dogs and handlers

HB 341: Revise laws relating to brain injuries

HB 245: Revise the Montana HELP Act workforce development provisions and termination date

HB 574: Authorizing implementation of the certified community behavioral health clinic model

HB 576: Revise funding for Medicaid and health and support services to children and to adults who are aged, blind, and disabled

HB 601: Create online portal for community assisters related to Medicaid

HB 607: Provide for the hearing aid coverage act

HB 618: Provide for a Montana individual freedom act

HB 635: Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

HB 638: Revise human rights laws

Follow these bills at ⁠⁠⁠⁠bills.legmt.gov⁠⁠⁠⁠

Upcoming times to get involved:

Feb. 26th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 574 in (H) Human Services Committee at 3:00pm in Room 152

Feb. 26th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 576 in (H) Human Services Committee at 3:00pm in Room 152

Feb. 26th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 601 in (H) Human Services Committee at 3:00pm in Room 152

Feb. 27th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 635 in (H) Judiciary Committee at 7:00am in Room 137

Feb. 27th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 638 in (H) Judiciary Committee at 7:00am in Room 137

Feb. 28th, 2025: Public Hearing for HB 607 in (H) Business and Labor Committee at 7:00am in Room 172

March 19th, 2025: Disability Rally Day at the Montana State Capitol at 11:00am in the Rotunda

How to get involved in the legislative process:

Send a message to a committee:⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call the switchboard: 406-444-4800

Find and contact your legislator:⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sign up to give testimony via Zoom:⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our email list at Ability Montana:⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Form (Google Doc)⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast:

Email:⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠@disabilityvoices⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Transcript: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Transcript (Google Doc)