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.