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Please enjoy this issue of The IC's newsletter, The Independence Times. It includes stories and information focused on the unique abilities of our local disability community, so all are known, valued, and included.

The Independence Times- Fall 2021: Image header with fall leaves

Patricia Yeager: Sparking Change

Sometimes there’s a spark that changes everything. The spark could be a chance meeting or an exceptional teacher or just a different route home. Whatever it is, once the spark is lit, your life takes a new direction.

For Patricia Yeager, the spark that ultimately led her to become CEO of The Independence Center was...

CEO Corner: One Last Time

By the time you read this, I will have officially retired after 10 years as CEO of The Independence Center. Ten years! How did that happen? Before coming to The IC, I had never...

Meet the New CEO, Indy Frazee

Filling the shoes of Patricia Yeager is a tall order. But new CEO Indy Frazee is up to the challenge! As Patricia put it, “Indy has a deep understanding of The IC and is passionate about its mission.” In fact...

Photo of Amelia Dall, Archeologist. Amelia is sitting in a field with mountains doing research

ADA: Celebrating Independence

The Oxford English Dictionary defines independence as “The freedom to organize your own life, make your own decisions, etc. without needing help from other people. This is the foundation of the Independent Living movement, which emphasizes that individuals with disabilities should be able to ...

A line of CCTV's waiting to find their home

Teacher's Donation Makes a Difference

For people with low vision, reading a book, a label, or a printed work document isn’t as easy as throwing on a pair of glasses. However, assistive technology like closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) can help them bring the world into focus.

Creating Connection Through Conversation

In the U.S., around 61 million adults – or one in four – have a disability. That means that the odds are good that a high percentage of police interactions will involve someone with either a hidden or visible disability.

There is no reliable database that tracks how many people with disabilities – including those with mental illness – have negative outcomes during their interactions with law enforcement. However, studies have shown...

A photo of a man in the military siting in a wheelchair shaking the hand of a woman.

Q&A with Veteran in Charge

The Independence Center’s veteran-directed Veteran in Charge (VIC) program aims to ensure that disabled veterans can continue to lead the lives they want to live. Recently, we sat down with Kim Howell, veteran coach coordinator, to talk about how the VIC program empowers veterans with disabilities.

Infographic with mental wellness ideas. Says, Create: Art. Craft, Build, Photography. The next line says Play and then lists: An Instrument, Music, Audiobooks, Games

Boosting Mental Wellness

It seemed that the world turned upside down in March 2020. Suddenly, our entire lives were altered in one way or another. Almost two years later and we’re continuing to adapt to this new normal. Stress, isolation, loss, and burnout have taken a toll on our mental and physical health.

So how do we regain our equilibrium?

A young man sitting in a wheelchair working at home on a computer

Employment Classes: Search to Success!

Did you know that right now, there’s more than one job opening for every American who wants to work? Despite this, people with disabilities continue to face barriers to finding a job that offers a livable wage, good benefits, and reasonable accommodations. The good news is that ...