Mandy Smith

2016 Consumer Christmas Parties

By Mandy Smith | December 5, 2016

In case you haven’t seen our Winter Newsletter here is the article regarding our consumer Christmas parties! The holiday season is here! RCIL will have their annual consumer Christmas parties during the month of December. Below is a listing of the dates and locations of the parties. Pick the event you would like to attend…

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Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Mandy Smith | November 30, 2016

Well, it’s fall about to be winter.  The season of cold, gloomy, darkness.  For many that doesn’t stand for the weather only, it stands for their outlook on life.  Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form depression that is related to the change of seasons.  Most persons with SAD show signs or symptoms in the…

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State Seeks Kansans with Physical Disabilities Dropped from Wait List

By Mandy Smith | November 18, 2016

Are you on the Physical Disability wait list?  Have you been dropped from it?  You need to read this article from the Kansas Health Institute and contact the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)! http://www.khi.org/news/article/state-seeks-kansans-with-physical-disabilities-dropped-from-wait-list-for-m Contact information for KDADS Email  KDADS.HCBS-KS@ks.gov New England Building 503 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66603-3404 Main: 785-296-4986 Toll…

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RCIL Now Hiring

By Mandy Smith | November 4, 2016

Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. is hiring!  Transitional Living Specialists – Seeking to hire TLS to work one-on-one with individuals who has experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury to teach independent living skills in the following communities:  Colony, Fort Scott, LaCygne, Eureka, Topeka, and Lawrence.  These are all part-time positions.        Payroll Clerk – As one…

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Trunk or Treat

By Mandy Smith | October 24, 2016

RCIL will be hosting a Trunk or Treat at its Osage City location on October 27th.  The event will be from 5:00pm-7:00pm in the parking lot of 1137 Laing in Osage City.  You can participate in two different ways: you may bring treats to hand out from your trunk or you may bring children dressed in costume to…

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Preventing Falls

By Mandy Smith | September 9, 2016

As I said in a previous blog, September 22nd is Fall Prevention Awareness day. Here are some ideas to limit falling and injuries. Help preserve your bone density Do exercises to help with endurance, strength, balance and/or flexibility Go for walks Limit clutter, keep your floors free of obstacles Keep a flashlight near your bed Look for…

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Closed for Labor Day

By Mandy Smith | September 2, 2016

RCIL offices will be closed Monday, September 5th, in observation of Labor Day.   Fun Fact – Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers.

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Action Alert – Disability Integration Act

By Mandy Smith | August 29, 2016

On Tuesday, August 22nd an Action Alert went out to over 14,000 people asking people to take 30 seconds to fill out a form to ask their legislators to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act. Of all the people from KS, 4 responded to this alert and of those who responded, 2 were from your District…

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Did you know: Fall Risk Information

By Mandy Smith | August 18, 2016

Fall Prevention Awareness Day is observed on September 22nd.  But I thought I’d get a jump on the action and post some interesting information about falls.  This information is from the National Council on Aging and can be found at www.ncoa.org. Most know that the older population fall more than others but did you know…

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Fort Scott Friends Group Update

By Mandy Smith | August 11, 2016

This month’s Fort Scott Friends Group will meet at 1:00pm on August 24th at Gunn Park.

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Emporia Phones Back

By Mandy Smith | July 13, 2016

Our Emporia office phones are back in working order! Sorry for any inconvenience!

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Emporia Phones Down

By Mandy Smith | July 13, 2016

Our Emporia office does not have phone service at this time. Please call our Osage City office with any concerns (785) 528-3105.

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Voter Registration Drive

By Mandy Smith | June 30, 2016

RCIL will be hosting a voter registration drive at each office (locations listed below) on July 11th from 8:00am-3:00pm. The primary election is on August 2nd and in order to vote you must be registered with correct documentation by July 12th.   Independent Living Specialists and other staff will be available on July 11th to help with…

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Employment Survey

By Mandy Smith | June 23, 2016

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is conducting a study of adults with physical disabilities.  They want to know about your barriers to employment as well as resources that you need to support your work/career goals.  In addition, the are interested in knowing how you find information on employment…

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Adult Abuse Awareness and Prevention

By Mandy Smith | June 13, 2016

YOU’RE INVITED The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) invites you to learn more about Adult Abuse Awareness and Prevention. Representatives from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, DCF’s Adult Protective Services division and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services will address issues regarding this important topic. 1:30-2:30 pm June 17 Jayhawk Area…

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KEE Equipment Drive June 4th

By Mandy Smith | June 1, 2016

Kansas Equipment Exchange (KEE) in cooperation with Kansas Medicaid and other agencies accept wheelchairs, hospital beds and other durable medical equipment (DME) that are no longer being used.  KEE refurbishes and makes these items available for other Kansans at NO CHARGE. KEE assists Kansans in obtaining affordable durable medical equipment. RCIL is one of the five KEE access sites and covers 13…

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Closed for Memorial Day

By Mandy Smith | May 27, 2016

Reminder our offices will be closed Monday, May 30th, for Memorial Day.  We will reopen Tuesday, May 31st, at 8:00am.  

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Phones Back

By Mandy Smith | April 27, 2016

Our phones are back working.  Sorry for any inconvenience!

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Phones Currently Not Working

By Mandy Smith | April 27, 2016

Our Osage City office phone lines are currently not working.  If you have payroll questions please email payrollhelpdesk@rcilinc.org.  

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Amazing Technology for People who are Blind

By Mandy Smith | March 30, 2016

Technology, you have to love it!  Below is a link to a YouTube video from Microsoft about their new Seeing AI (artificial intelligence) app and glasses.  I am truly amazed at the information this is able to give those without sight.  The doors it could open are unlimited! Seeing AI Video

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State Plan for Independent Living(SPIL) Forum

By Mandy Smith | March 8, 2016

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas, Inc. will be hosting a public comment forum over the State Plan for Independent Living(SPIL) for FFY 2017 to FFY 2019 on March 30th from 10am to 12pm. This is an opportunity to gather input, share comments and ask questions on the proposed  SPIL.  The forum will be…

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Adaptive Training Foundation

By Mandy Smith | February 23, 2016

Here is a highlight video of Adaptive Training Foundation.  Visit their website for more information www.adaptivetrainingfoundation.org  

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KDHE providing training for Medicaid waivers

By Mandy Smith | December 28, 2015

As part of the KanCare Waiver Integration Project, KDHE will be providing a one-hour training about Medicaid waivers. This training is a result of recommendations from the Waiver Integration Stakeholder Engagement (WISE) workgroup. The training is designed to help anyone who works in Medicaid-funded programs or receives Medicaid-funded services to understand: What “waiver” means in…

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Ms. Wheelchair Kansas searching for contestants

By Mandy Smith | December 3, 2015

Ms. Wheelchair Kansas is currently searching for women to participate in their 2016 event to be held March 11-13 in Topeka. Contestants can be nominated by a person or group or can choose to participate in the program. Are you a woman of achievement who is wheelchair mobile? Would you like to share your voice with the…

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Offices Closed for Thanksgiving

By Mandy Smith | November 23, 2015

This week is Thanksgiving and our office locations will be closed Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. I thought I’d also share some of what our employees said they were thankful for: Deone – I am thankful that disability rights advocates continue to fight for enforcement of the laws and protections that are in-place for…

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