In this episode, Ester DuRante, Assistant Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, shares how organizations across the state are building partnerships to close critical gaps in emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. From the response to Hurricane Helene to outdated federal training materials, Ester breaks down where the system falls short and what real collaboration looks like. The conversation also digs into advocacy, self-determination, and why speaking from the heart matters more than proving your worth. If you care about disability rights in Georgia, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Chapters0:00 - Meet Ester DuRante and the Statewide Independent Living Council2:00 - How Hurricane Helene sparked new partnerships across Georgia3:49 - Outdated federal training tools and the push to modernize5:10 - Emergency transportation and disability safety5:44 - What gets overlooked in emergency preparedness for people with disabilities6:39 - Why communication in emergencies is never one-size-fits-all8:43 - Preparing before the storm, not just reacting after11:22 - Advocacy beyond emergency preparedness13:13 - Speaking clearly about who we are without limitations14:49 - Self-determination and the power of choice17:50 - Being heard in healthcare and valuing lived experience21:49 - Leading with heart and finding self-awareness in advocacy24:02 - Closing reflections on courage and curiosityLinksStatewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) — Ester DuRante's organization https://www.silcga.org/LIFE, Inc. — Living Independence for Everyone — Center for Independent Living serving Southeast Georgia https://lifecil.com/FODAC — Friends of Disabled Adults and Children — Provided equipment support during Hurricane Helene and ice storms https://fodac.org/National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) — National cross-disability grassroots organization mentioned by Matt https://ncil.org/Centers for Independent Living in Georgia — Directory of all Georgia CILs https://www.silcga.org/cils/Accessibility Now Podcast on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/accessibility-now-stories-about-disability-rights-in/id1621302132Coastal Alliance of CILs — https://www.coastalallianceofcils.org/

In this episode of Accessibility Now, Parker Glick shares how a youth advisory council in Florida pulled him into disability advocacy and the independent living movement. Parker talks about working in Centers for Independent Living, serving with SILCGA, and helping young disabled leaders find their own voices. He also tells a powerful story about a car accident that nearly pushed him into a nursing home, and how community advocacy and home and community based services kept him living independently. The conversation closes with a focus on the personal care attendant crisis, the current political moment, and why community, mentorship, and self care are essential for staying in the fight.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Accessibility Now and intro to Parker00:55 Parker’s path into advocacy and the independent living movement05:00 Youth work, CIL experience, and moving to Georgia and SILCGA08:15 Georgia’s advocacy network and key SILCGA projects12:40 Employment First, 14(c), and policy lessons from SILC work16:35 Advice for young advocates and finding mentors19:10 Car accident, waivers, and community preventing institutionalization23:40 Mentors, relationships, and the personal care attendant crisis26:30 Today’s political moment, avoiding gatekeeping, and closing thoughts

In this episode of Accessibility Now, we speak with Lee Ann Pendergrass, who became the first Statewide Independent Living Coordinator for Georgia’s Division of Rehabilitation Services in the 1990s. Lee Ann worked closely with the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) during its formation and played a behind-the-scenes but crucial role in shifting power and funding directly to community-led Centers for Independent Living (CILs). She reflects on the cultural and political shift that occurred as people with disabilities asserted control over their own services—and offers a call to action for the next generation to carry that work forward.

00:00 – Intro
01:08 – Lee Ann’s early work in Florida’s CIL network
03:00 – Becoming Georgia’s first statewide IL coordinator
05:00 – Partnering with Pat Puckett and the early formation of SILCGA
07:25 – Bridging tensions between the state and grassroots advocates
10:05 – Navigating “militant” advocacy and state constraints
13:05 – When the council and state began aligning toward shared goals
15:45 – Major milestone: local CILs gaining control from state employees
17:55 – Expanding advocacy: nursing homes, ramps, employment, and the ADA
19:55 – Georgia’s culture and the shift toward direct self-advocacy
22:30 – 30 years of SILCGA: why it matters and what it made possible
24:10 – A message to the next generation: “Don’t give up.”

In this heartfelt tribute, members of Georgia’s independent living community gather to celebrate the life and leadership of Shelly Simmons, the late Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA). Through powerful reflections, they share how Shelly’s compassion, wisdom, and advocacy shaped their lives and the future of disability rights in Georgia.Featuring:Becky Tuttle – Executive Director, SILCGAReshell Baldini – Board Member, SILCGAEtrudy Taylor Mitchell – CEO, Whole InclusionJordan Hall – Mobility Coordinator, SILCGAEster Durante – Advocate & Outreach Coordinator, SILCGAVictor McRae – Housing Policy Coordinator, SILCGAChapters00:00 – Introduction00:00 – Becky Tuttle (SILCGA Executive Director): Remembering Shelly’s leadership and legacy02:53 – Reshell Baldini (SILCGA Board Member): A life of inclusion and laughter04:22 – Etrudy Taylor Mitchell (CEO, Whole Inclusion): Mentorship and inspiration for new leaders07:18 – Jordan Hall (SILCGA Mobility Coordinator): Finding opportunity and empowerment through Shelly’s belief13:42 – Ester Durante (SILCGA Advocate & Outreach Coordinator): Connection, growth, and living authentically18:36 – Victor McRae (SILCGA Housing Policy Coordinator): Compassion in action and Shelly’s everyday impact

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.