Episode 2 - Disability Rights and Policy Power with Andy Imparato

In Episode 2 of The Independent, Dr. Victor Pineda sits down with Andy Imparato — a nationally respected disability rights leader and the CEO of Disability Rights California — for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about leadership, policy, and the long arc of change.With clarity and conviction, Andy reflects on what first drew him into disability rights work and what has sustained him through decades of advocacy. He shares how listening to disabled people with lived experience shaped his leadership, how Disability Rights California became a vehicle for systemic change, and why persistence — even in the face of resistance — remains essential to progress.Together, Victor and Andy explore the current moment for disability rights, unpacking the challenges and opportunities emerging across politics, culture, and public policy. Andy also speaks candidly about the systems that continue to exclude — from housing and healthcare to education and employment — and what meaningful reform could look like if disabled people are truly centered in decision-making. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the power of collective action and the role everyday people play in shaping a more just future.This episode continues the mission of The Independent: uplifting lived expertise, honoring movement history, and spotlighting the leaders and ideas building a more inclusive world.Tune in for an honest, insightful conversation with one of the disability rights movement’s most steadfast voices — and a reminder that lasting change is built through community, courage, and care.If you believe in disability justice, community power, and the stories we uplift on The Independent, please consider supporting our work.Make a donation today: ⁠https://thecil.org/donate/⁠