Taking Control Self-Directed Home Care provides programs that empower individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions to shape their support to fit their lives. WNYIL’s Taking Control team is enhancing the work it does with consumers through the addition of a monthly speaker’s series on topics such as technology, finance, mental health and more. Taking Control Director Julie Andrews joined the show to discuss the 2026 Speaker Series and what is coming up next.

In partnership with the Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, Western New York Independent Living’s Healthy Living Department works to guide individuals toward programs and services that can help them to live their lives in the best way possible. Topic specific workshops are one way for an individual to learn about healthy living options. WNYIL Healthy Living Coordinator Rob Brandon joined the show to discuss the upcoming Choose Healthy WNY Self-Management workshop series.

An agency of Western New York Independent Living, Mental Health PEER Connection is an organization run for and by people with behavioral health disabilities. One of the hallmarks of MHPC’s work is finding ways to open lines of communication to support consumers. This work can be accomplished through support groups taking one of two tracks: substance use disorder or mental health support.  MHPC’s Assistant Director Cathie Campbell joined the show to talk about some of the options available for those dealing with substance use disorder.

Mental Health PEER Connection is an organization run for and by people with behavioral health disabilities. As a part of Western New York Independent Living, MHPC focuses on finding ways to meet consumers where they are at. That’s why MHPC offers support groups geared toward improving and sustaining your mental health. MHPC Assistant Director Cathie Campbell joined the show to talk about mental health support groups.

Changes in technology take place rapidly in our current society. For businesses, understanding and adapting to trends in technology is vital. But individuals outside of business often struggle to keep up with changes in tech; leaving you with the question of what to do to make sure you don’t get left behind. WNYIL’s IT Coordinator Rick Woods joined the show to offer some tips and tricks to help you in keeping up with the latest technology.

Western New York Independent Living is one of approximately 40 non-profits agencies who work together to present the Disability Pride Festival every year in July. This year’s festival will be held on Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Riverworks, and the festival committees are hard at work planning the day’s activities. Stage entertainment is a big part of the celebration. Sophia Roberts from the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, one of the partner agencies in planning the festival, joined the program to talk about the planning as well as how you can get involved.

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.