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.