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Kansas has recently changed its law about requiring an ID in order to vote. (You may have seen a commercial lately about it.) DO NOT let this stop you from voting! First off, a registered voter who does not possess any of the valid ID documents may obtain a FREE nondriver’s ID from the Division…
Read ArticleAlthough it has felt like summer since winter, it seems, it is now official! What are you going to do for summer? I came up with some of my favorite things to do in summer time and some new ideas I’m going to add to my list. 1. Go for a walk 2.…
Read ArticleMark your calendar! The Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) AT Expo for 2012 will be on September 27th from 1:00pm to 7:00pm and September 28th 7:30am to 4:00pm. The 2 day event will be held in Wichita this year at the Wichita Hyatt – Century II. The theme for this year’s AT Expo is “Imagine…
Read ArticleLighting is so important when trying to accomplish daily tasks. Think about when you are outside and the sun is so bright you are unable to see. Think about when you are indoors and cannot find the light switch in a new environment. Lighting becomes even more important when you have a vision loss. When…
Read ArticleDue to home and community based services, Ross is able to live at his own home. Watch this video as he tells his own story.
Read ArticleDiabetes is a complicated condition that is able to affect many aspects of your health, including your eye sight… Diabetes is when your body does not produce or use insulin and you end up with high levels of blood glucose. This condition causes complications in the rest of the body which can result in heart…
Read ArticlePlease watch the video to find out about Heidi’s story. Being at home is important and so are home and community based services!
Read ArticlePlease ready Elise’s story of independence through using home and community based services. My name is Elise, I suffer from Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Spinal stenosis, Bile duct reconstruction, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety. I also just had open heart surgery. I live with my husband Bill Fears who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. I…
Read ArticleAn emergency or disaster can happen at any time. Do you have a plan in place to help you keep in touch with your family and friends? What about some of basic essentials like food, water, electricity or even telephones? While each person’s abilities and needs are unique, every individual can take steps to prepare…
Read ArticleWho really enjoys change? Maybe you enjoy a change of scenery or you enjoy the change of seasons? These are nice changes because you know they aren’t permanent and they are planned. Unplanned changes usually aren’t enjoyable and are usually permanent (at least until the next change). But change always happens! There is nothing we…
Read ArticleThe House & Senate conference committee for the FY 2013 budget have held four rounds of negotiations thus far. Next round is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon. Senate negotiators (Carolyn McGinn, John Vratil & Laura Kelly) have held firm on two items that are crucial to the disability community. Please take a moment and email…
Read ArticleMarch is Brain Injury Awareness Month. You have probably been hearing more lately about brain injury, as soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan, as professional and school sports are looking more at preventing brain injuries, and with the recent high profile brain injury of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Here are some stats that you may not…
Read ArticleWho doesn’t love a cute face? What about a cute face that has puppy breathe? I’m sure many of you are familiar with dog guides, but did you know that people/families raise dog guides from puppies to about a year old? Dog guide facilities such as The Seeing Eye, KSDS Inc., Leader Dogs for the…
Read ArticleJust like any other twenty-seven year old American woman I just want to live a happy, successful, and meaningful life. From the outside I look like a “normal” woman. When you look at my brown hair, brown eyes, and average height you will see a woman who looks pretty “normal”. What you won’t see is…
Read ArticleWe have written a lot on this blog about the change to the Financial Management Services (FMS) change in Home and Community Based Services and the implementation of Kansas AuthentiCare. This change resulted in a massive overhaul of our Payroll Department and the staff members that work in…
Read ArticleWe all know that accessible parking is reserved for people with disabilities who have a permit, placard or accessible parking plates. We also know where accessible parking is typically located on level ground and close to an accessible entrance to a store, restaurant, or recreational event. Most accessible parking spaces have an extra “hashed off”…
Read ArticleThe Legislative Session has passed the halfway mark and our advocacy efforts are ramping up. There are so many big concerns for the disability community this time around and it is imperative that we get input to the Administration, the Legislators, and to our communities from Kansans with disabilities. The Resource Center for Independent Living,…
Read ArticleThe House Social Services Budget Committee’s report on SRS and KDOA budgets stated “…there is considerable fraud and abuse in the system of Home and Community Based Services.” It goes on to state that this fraud, by Centers for Independent Living, is responsible for the Waiting Lists. These statements seek to villify the Centers and…
Read ArticleToday we share the story of Rebecca T. She has been on the Waiting List for Home and Community Based Services for almost 3 years. The following words are hers. Notice that Rebecca would need a minimal amount of supports to assist her in the activities that she is physically unable to do on her…
Read ArticleHarveyville, Kansas was the site of an EF-2 tornado last night that struck without warning causing severe damage to dozens of homes and injuring 11 people, 3 critically. RCIL employee, Stuart Jones, immediately requested permission to donate needed durable medical equipment to those in need. Deone Wilson, our Deputy Director added cases of bottled water…
Read ArticleFrom now through March 6th, we need the disability community to contact each member of the House Appropriations Committee. A complete list of names and contact information is available here. They will begin debating the budget on March 6th. As they are working on budget issues we need to make sure they know the importance…
Read ArticleIt is imperative that the disability community contacts each member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. A complete list of names and contact information is available here. They will begin debating the budget in sub-committees on March 8th. As they are working on budget issues we need to make sure they know the importance…
Read ArticleKansas AuthentiCare/Electronic Visit Verification(EVV) will begin for all waiver services including Personal Services and Sleep Cycle Support for the Physically Disabled(PD) and Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) waivers effective Sunday, March 4, 2012. Please make certain that RCIL (or your FMS provider) has your correct telephone and/or cell phone numbers. Please report any updates to an RCIL…
Read ArticleJim H., is a person with a disability, one of the over 3,500 Kansans on the waiting list for Home and Community Based Services. Jim has Huntington’s Disease. Because Huntington’s is a progressive disease, it is getting more and more difficult for Jim to accomplish his daily activities, including cleaning and cooking for himself. The…
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