In this episode of Accessibility Now, recorded live at the 2025 National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Conference in Washington, D.C., we share conversations with disability advocates from across the United States. Each guest talks about the work they are doing in their communities to advance accessibility, equity, and independent living.You will hear about advocacy on women’s health and accessibility, statewide disability policy, community-based services, housing initiatives, youth transitions, disaster preparedness, Medicaid waiver programs, transportation training, and the importance of having people with disabilities at decision-making tables.Watch or listen to the full episode here, or jump to a specific interview using the timecodes below. To see all 20 interviews recorded at NCIL, visit the link in the show notes.Timecodes:00:00 Intro & Monique Stamps – NC Statewide Independent Living Council / Women Embracing Abilities Now 02:20 Harry Weissman – Disability Policy Consortium (Massachusetts) 05:30 Cynthia Coffin – Disability Empowerment Center (Seattle) 07:10 Colleen Roche – New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council 10:00 Christie Graves – Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NY) 12:10 Patrick Frozini – Center for Independent Living (South Florida) 16:50 June Kailes – Disability Policy Consultant (Los Angeles) 18:00 Katrina Parsons – Disability Link (Tucker, GA) 19:30 Karen Annette & Mindy – Independence Center (Northern Virginia) 21:00 Yao Appiadu – Harlem Independent Living Center (NY)Link to all 22 interviews from NCIL 2025: https://www.disabilityrightspodcasts.org/ncil-conference

On this episode of Accessibility Now, we speak with Tiffany Clifford, a longtime leader in Georgia’s independent living movement. She recounts her early days at Walton Options and reflects on the critical role the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) played in expanding independent living services throughout the state. Tiffany also provides a clear explanation of how SILCs and Centers for Independent Living work together—clarifying common misconceptions—and offers a candid assessment of how proposed federal budget cuts could undermine decades of progress.

In this special 30th anniversary episode, Pat Puckett, former longtime executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA), reflects on the early years of the Independent Living movement in Georgia. From the humble beginnings of a rented office funded out-of-pocket to the historic Olmstead Supreme Court decision, Pat shares the defining moments that helped shape services and support for Georgians with disabilities. She recounts key milestones, including building the first Centers for Independent Living, pioneering supported employment programs, and pushing for home- and community-based services. With honesty, humor, and deep wisdom, Pat reminds us what’s possible when advocacy is grounded in persistence, collaboration, and compassion. This episode is both a tribute to the past and a call to action for the future.

In this episode of the SILCGA podcast, we talk with Kip Slade, a seasoned advocate and grant manager with decades of experience in disability employment initiatives. Kip discusses the evolution of customized employment, the importance of self-employment for people with disabilities, and the funding mechanisms that make these opportunities possible. He also addresses the potential threats to disability-related funding at the federal level and how policy changes could impact the future of inclusive employment.

Join us for the SILCGA end-of-the-year retrospective podcast as we celebrate the progress and challenges of Georgia’s Independent Living Movement in 2024. Hear from SILCGA staff as they share updates about expanding services, improving accessibility, and building a more inclusive future. Together, we reflect on the milestones of the past year and look ahead to exciting opportunities in 2025.

In this episode, Victor McRae shares his journey from experiencing vision loss as a child to becoming an advocate for accessible housing in Georgia. Victor discusses his work with the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, where he tackles housing disparities for people with disabilities. He reflects on the systemic challenges, such as geographic resource gaps and rising housing costs, that disproportionately impact the disability community. Victor also offers insights on how listeners can support legislative efforts to expand accessible housing options across the state.

Jordan Hall, the Mobility coordinator for the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, has personally encountered obstacles to mobility and transportation as a person who uses a motor wheelchair. She discusses with us her path to this position of mobility coordinator at SILCGA, and how being hired was an introduction to the resources provided by Centers for Independent Living, which she had spent her life living without. She also explains why sharing her experiences and listening to the experiences of others with disabilities have been some of her greatest assets in fostering change. To close, she shares with us the biggest obstacle that she is trying to address in terms of mobility for Georgians with disabilities.

Dana Lloyd, an advocate with the Georgia Advocacy Office, shares her journey into the vital civil rights work of advocating for people with disabilities. From her early days of providing direct support to her current role as a Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) advocate, Dana discusses the evolution of mindsets about the disability community and how these attitudes influence societal treatment of people with disabilities. She provides an overview of PADD and the Georgia Advocacy Office's role. We also discuss current advocacy issues her office is addressing.