My NCIL Conference Takeaways

What happens when disability advocates from across the country come together to shape the future of independent living and accessibility?

In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped, I share my personal reflections after attending the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., where I represented Ability360 as a member of its Board of Directors.

Learn More: https://ncil.org/

From celebrating ADA36: We Won’t Go Back to hearing powerful stories from advocates, policymakers, and leaders in the disability community, the conference reinforced why protecting and advancing disability rights remains so important.

In this episode, I discuss:

  •  My biggest takeaways from the conference
  •  Why the Independent Living movement continues to make a difference
  •  The importance of advocacy at the local and national levels
  •  How each of us can help build a more accessible and inclusive future

Whether you’re a person with a disability, a family member, an advocate, or simply interested in creating more inclusive communities, I hope these reflections encourage you to stay engaged and continue moving the conversation forward.

Thanks for listening to We’re Not Stumped. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes everyone deserves the opportunity to live independently.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Spotify

July 30th, 2026|

Access to the resources, support, and equipment needed after limb loss can change a person's life—but for many, those essentials remain out of reach. In this episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland spotlights Amputee Aid and A Leg Forever, two organizations dedicated to helping people with limb loss reclaim independence, confidence, and hope. While each organization has its own unique mission, both are committed to removing barriers by providing financial assistance, equipment, peer support, and other critical resources that help individuals move forward after amputation. Mike discusses why a supportive community can make all the difference during recovery and beyond. Whether you're living with limb loss, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for stories of compassion, advocacy, and resilience, this episode highlights how generosity and community can create lasting change.

  • John Lottes, DPT

July 28th, 2026|

What does it really take to learn to walk again after an amputation? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes physical therapist John Lottes, DPT, Clinical Supervisor at First Step Physical Therapy and an adjunct professor who specializes in prosthetic rehabilitation. John shares how an unexpected career path led him to working with individuals with limb loss and explains why the biggest hurdle in recovery often isn't physical—it's confidence. Together, Mike and John discuss the importance of celebrating small victories, building trust with your rehabilitation team, and developing the mindset needed to regain independence.

July 27th, 2026|

Sometimes, the biggest changes don't happen in a lab—they happen with a few carefully chosen words. In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I want to personally thank the LN-4 Hand Project (https://ln4handproject.org/) for updating its mission statement to better reflect the entire upper limb limb loss community. For many years, organizations have understandably focused on a specific group of individuals. But recognizing and including everyone living with upper limb loss and limb difference sends a powerful message: you belong, your story matters, and you are seen. As someone born without a right hand, this change means a great deal to me personally, and I believe it represents an important step toward greater inclusion across our community.

By |July 23rd, 2026|General Disability Related Resources and News|Comments Off on My NCIL Conference Takeaways

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Go to Top