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Do you want to work but afraid to lose your benefits? Check out the South Central (SC) Kansas (KS) Employment First Summit event on April 6, 2023. This event is an opportunity for professionals, employers, job coaches, caregivers, and people with disabilities to learn about raising awareness, increasing opportunities, and sustaining competitive, integrated employment for people…
Read ArticleAttention to KanCare Enrollees! KanCare renewals are coming. To avoid any gaps in your coverage, contact the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884 to make sure they have your current address, phone number, and any other contact information. This may help you keep your KanCare coverage after the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Visit…
Read ArticleJoAnne had previously applied for KanCare a few years back and was denied because she was told she would have a large spend down. She was receiving 3-4 hours per week of housekeeping services through the Senior Care Act (SCA) program. JoAnne felt that she needed more assistance with the house. She contacted RCIL about…
Read ArticleA consumer learned that the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied his Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. He contacted RCIL for assistance to understand why and to get his benefits back. He discussed his issues with an Independent Living Specialist (ILS) and they developed a plan. They called SSA and the consumer learned that they…
Read ArticleThe Kansas Disability Caucus (KDC) Board is accepting applications for six positions on their Board. Click on this link to view the application, which includes a brief history of KDC and what they are looking for in potential board members. All positions begin on January 1, 2023 for a two-year term. If you are interested to…
Read ArticleRCIL received a grant from Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Fund administered by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas to purchase medical equipment for its medical equipment loan and distribution program in Iola. Items such as shower chairs, toilet seat risers, and tubs of Sani-Cloth will be able, free-of-charge, while supplies last to local consumers…
Read ArticleRandy has been working on a book series for years and is getting closer and closer to a publication date. He is now in the process of editing the first book which can be very tedious. This task can be even more difficult with a vision loss like Randy has. Randy was able to obtain…
Read ArticleAs a service to the community, RCIL has durable medical equipment available for loan, free of charge, through the Anita Casey Equipment Loan Program in Osage City and the Phyllis Patteson Equipment Loan Program in El Dorado. RCIL also has the Equipment Loan Program in Emporia. The equipment is provided as a service not only…
Read ArticleIndependent Living Specialist, Macy, assisted Marie in obtaining a ramp. Marie’s ramp was so rotten that Marie and her boyfriend thought they were going to fall through. Marie needed financial assistance and did not know what resources to utilize. She reached out to Macy for assistance. Macy educated her on funding resources available in the…
Read ArticleThe Research and Training Center on Independent Living at Kansas University are currently recruiting research participants for a couple of their research studies. Check out their flyers below for inclusion criteria and contact information for study inquiry. Weight Management Research Study (Participants must live within 50 miles of Wichita) Physical Study Research Study (Location can…
Read ArticleThe Salvation Army is offering a Life Skills Class in Emporia on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays every month at 6:00pm. The class will cover simple life lessons that every family needs to make it through the day. Topics include budgeting, cooking, self-care, scheduling, and much more. For more information, download their flyer below or…
Read ArticleDo you know that one of the five Core Services that RCIL offers is Advocacy? RCIL offers two forms of advocacy services and they are individual advocacy and system advocacy. Individual advocacy services help people with disabilities develop the skills they need to represent themselves. These skills help them act on their own behalf to…
Read ArticleRCIL consumer Jerry has been working with an RCIL Independent Living Specialist (ILS) to learn how to use the many different programs and features of an iPad to keep track of appointments, communicate with his friends and family, and other Independent Living skills. Jerry recently learned about the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) through a newsletter…
Read ArticleIndependent Living Specialist, Macy, assisted a consumer in getting her bathroom remodeled. The consumer was having a difficult time getting into her bathroom because the doorway was too narrow for her wheelchair. The consumer explained, “I was hurting myself by falling in the bathroom without my wheelchair and not making it to the toilet in…
Read ArticleOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! Every October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the diverse contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. Each week throughout the month, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) will be sharing valuable information about workers and job seekers with disabilities, details about the…
Read ArticleThe University of Montana Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities are conducting a study on rural personal assistance services. They are seeking people with disabilities living in rural communities who receives personal care services in their home to participate in this study. Individuals who participate in this study will receive $30 cash…
Read ArticleRCIL Independent Living Specialist (ILS), Macy Collins, assisted Charla in obtaining a power chair carrier for her vehicle. She had a carrier at one time, but it was stolen off her car. Macy taught her the different funding organizations and resources available, how to request use of her assistive technology funds through her Managed Care…
Read ArticleRCIL is hosting an Independence Celebration to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 31st Anniversary on July 28, 2021 in Osage City! Food will be provided. Come and celebrate with us! Check out the flyer below for details.
Read ArticleResource Center for Independent Living, Inc. (RCIL) is inviting you to join Youth Transition Club! This group is for youth and young adults ages (14-24) with disabilities in Lyon County. In this group you will have the opportunity to learn independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and employment skills. Youth Transition Club meets…
Read ArticleThe Kansas Disability and Health Program (KDHP) is compiling a list of accessible recreation opportunities across the state of Kansas. The list is posted on their website at www.ihdps.ku/accessible-recreation-opportunties. The list is organized alphabetically by county and within the list of counties, it is organized alphabetically by city or town. The list includes accessible playgrounds,…
Read ArticleRCIL is excited to resume Friends group meetings in person again! We will also continue to have the online Friends group meetings as well. RCIL Friends are groups of individuals who all experience disability and meet monthly to address disability needs and issues in the community. They also share information about disability related topics such…
Read ArticleIf you are thinking of hosting or are already a vaccination site, view the handouts below for some tips and resources on making the vaccination process a more comfortable and accessible experience for people with disabilities and older adults. It has a list of examples on how to provide reasonable accommodations and they are categorized…
Read ArticleA consumer’s daughter called Mandy Smith, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, wanting to get her mother a device that would help her read. The family had tried to work with another organization but kept hitting a brick wall due to COVID. The consumer who is 102 years old and has vision loss is “as sharp…
Read ArticleRCIL offers five core services to individuals with disabilities, their families, and their community. The five Core Services are: Advocacy, Peer Counseling, Independent Living Skills Training, Information and Referral, and Deinstitutionalization/Youth Transition Services. These services are free of charge to individuals across all ages and disabilities that live in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Coffey,…
Read ArticlePeer Counseling is a Core Service that RCIL offers to people with disabilities. RCIL helps them connect with other people who have, or have experienced, a disability by hosting an online RCIL Friends group once a month. The group meets virtually via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 2:00pm – 3:00pm. They…
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