Idaho SILC director Mel Leviton joins Accessibility Now to explain the often-misunderstood work of State Independent Living Councils and why cuts to home and community-based services put everyone at risk of institutionalization. Along the way she shares how becoming a wheelchair user reshaped her sense of self, the small moment of peer mentorship that became her turning point, and what young disabled leaders can teach us when we simply get out of the way. You'll come away understanding the difference between a SILC and a CIL, how advocates in different states can learn from one another, and why disability justice depends on showing up for every other movement too. Watch the full conversation, and let us know in the comments how independent living shows up where you live.

Tiffany Yearwood, Emergency Management Director for Charlton County, Georgia, joins Accessibility Now to break down what real disaster readiness looks like for people with disabilities. She walks through how to build a personalized go bag, why the 72-hour rule matters more than any generic checklist, and why signing up for your county's voluntary disability registry can be a lifeline before you ever need it. Tiffany also addresses the uncertainty around FEMA's changing role and what Georgia's local emergency management teams are doing to stay prepared. The resources below are a strong starting point — use them to build a plan tailored to your specific needs.

Victor McRae, Housing Policy Coordinator for the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, joins host Matt Shedd to break down the current housing landscape for people with disabilities across the state. Victor walks through practical resources, from LIHTC-funded developments and Housing Choice Vouchers to the Georgia Housing Search tool — and shares an honest assessment of where Georgia is leading nationally and where gaps still exist. You'll come away knowing your rights around reasonable accommodations, which tools to use when searching for accessible and affordable housing, and how to connect with your legislators to make your voice heard on housing policy. Subscribe to Accessibility Now for more conversations on disability rights and advocacy in Georgia.0:00 - Introduction0:22 - Current State of Housing for People with Disabilities in Georgia1:01 - LIHTC Funding: How Government-Subsidized Affordable Housing Works2:57 - Georgia Housing Search: A Free Tool to Find Accessible Rentals3:49 - Housing Choice Vouchers: How They Work and Who Qualifies5:37 - How Georgia Compares to Other States on Affordable Housing7:02 - The Most Common Housing Concerns SILCGA Hears9:13 - Renovating for Accessibility vs. Relocating: What's Realistic12:40 - Developers Embracing Accessibility as a Business Opportunity17:41 - Advocacy 101: How to Talk to Your State Legislators22:11 - What Victor Would Change About Housing Policy in Georgia23:55 - Resources and Wrap-UpLinksStatewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) — main website https://www.silcga.orgFind Your Center for Independent Living in Georgia — interactive map https://www.silcga.org/cils/find-cil-locations-in-georgia/SILCGA Accessible Housing Resources (includes Home Access Program info) https://www.silcga.org/accessible-housing/Georgia Housing Search — free statewide tool to find affordable and accessible rentals https://www.georgiahousingsearch.orgGeorgia Department of Community Affairs — Housing Choice Voucher Program https://dca.georgia.gov/housing-choice-voucher/housing-choice-voucherdisABILITY LINK — Center for Independent Living serving metro Atlanta and 12 counties https://www.disabilitylink.orgGeorgia General Assembly — Find Your Legislator by address https://www.legis.ga.gov/find-my-legislatorLDG Development — affordable housing developer mentioned for accessibility commitment https://www.ldgdevelopment.comGeorgia Affordable Housing Coalition — hosts annual conference in Savannah (likely the event Victor referenced) https://www.gahcoalition.org