Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Donna Becker, Assistant to the Director of Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program Donna.

Guest:  Thank you Ernie.

Host:  And first before we get into the exciting event that you're going to be talking about for the benefit of our listeners, what sort of things does ILGR do to help people with disabilities improve their lives?

Guest:  Well, we do a number of things here. We have benefits advisers here. We help people fill out applications for Social Security disability. We go to appointments with them at the Social Security office, we run apartment and house listings. So when people come in looking for, they have to move, looking for a place to live, we can pass them out one of those we have them do job searches. We offer careers, job employment classes, financial workshops. We do chronic disease workshops and diabetes workshops. We advocate for people, people come in, they're uncertain, we help them get on Medicaid. We have the city pass program which is someone who maybe is in need of a personal care aide and they can get services there. So there is a number of things that we do here.

Host:  What would you say is the difference between independent living agencies such as yours and other organizations that serve people with disabilities? Is that your consumer run and the will of the individual being served as preeminent in everything that's done?

Guest:  Yes I think our goal is to make people independent as much as they can.

Host:  Sure they will. Independent living it just kind of fits doesn't it.

Guest:  Exactly. It sure does.

Host:  There's something exciting coming up in the near future that you'll be able to tell us about which is the Taste of Independence. What all can people expect when they go there to this exciting event which will help benefit those many services you just described?

Guest:  Yes, A Taste of Independence. This is our fifth annual. And I'm just let people know it is on Wednesday, September 12th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and we only charge 15 dollars a ticket, that fifteen dollars that gets you to enjoy a taste of some of the Genesee region's variety of restaurants and to taste their favorite dishes. Nobody goes away hungry I can tell you that Ernie, fun event.

We have a basket raffle. We do a 50/50 raffle. We've got lots and lots of donations coming in and a good selection of restaurants this year.

Host:  Well I know that even as we speak that you are still bringing in more restaurants to fill the hallways of the Batavia Country Club. Could you mention some of those that have firmed up as participants?

Guest:  I sure will. We have the D&R Depot Restaurant which is located in Leroy, NY. Black Creek Cidery which is out of Bergen, NY. We have T.F. Brown's Restaurant right here in Batavia. A new one that just opened up, it's called The Wild Rican. The Eli Fish Brewing Company, Subway Restaurant, Eden Cafe and Bakeshop. These are all located here in Batavia. Capish, it's a pizza restaurant that is in Leroy. Big Pauly's Pizza. And the Batavia Original Pizzeria and The North Pole all located here in Batavia. We also have KMC Custom Cakes, Tully's Good Times, Mooney's Sports Bar and Grill, Farmer's Wife. A brand new one that just opened up called Fishtales. And then we have Ken's Charcoal Pits and we do have a few other ones that are we're very close to getting them to commit but I can I don't want to say for sure until we know. But we've got a very nice assortment of restaurants here this year.

Host:  Can you tell people how they can call to get more information?

Guest:  Yes. Again it's Wednesday, September 12th 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Batavia Country Club. They can call me directly at 585-815-8501 ext. 411. Or they can email me at dbecker@wnyil.org or they can stop in at 113 Main Street, Batavia to get a ticket.

Host:  Terrific. Thanks so much for being with us Donna.

Guest:  Thank you, Ernie.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Donna Becker, Assistant to the Director of ILGR. And your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.