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 From the response to Hurricane Helene to outdated federal training materials, Ester breaks down where the system falls short and what real collaboration looks like.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and the Statewide Independent Living Council2:00 - How Hurricane Helene sparked new partnerships across Georgia3:49 - Outdated federal training tools and the push to modernize5:10 - Emergency transportation and disability safety5:44 - What gets overlooked in emergency preparedness for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/