Blog
There are lots of changes taking place within our state and Home and Community Based Services are not immune. One of the major areas of change is Payroll Services. RCIL is a current Payroll provider for HCBS Waivers; on November 1st, those Payroll services will become Financial Management Services (FMS) and RCIL is ready to…
The following information is from the National AgrAbility Project. If you would like to look through some of the AgrAbility resources, you may visit the RCIL Resource Library in Osage City or visit the AgrAbility Project website at www.agrability.org. In November, we shared a little information with you about a program sponsored by the U.S.…
The Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL), which RCIL is a member of, is celebrating the 12th Anniversary of the Olmstead Supreme Court decision Wednesday, June 22 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Twelve years ago, the United States Supreme Court rejected the state of Georgia’s…
As I’ve said before I am studying to become an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. This requires nine 3 hour courses through Texas Tech Univeristy (where I’m at right now) and two of those classes are white cane technique classes. My first class started on June 1st and we didn’t touch the canes much at…
How many times have you heard someone who is not blind say “I’m blind as a bat” or “I can’t see anything without my glasses.” We know this isn’t true, but to that person, it may feel like he or she has little vision without their correction (eye glasses, contacts). Blindness is a functional defect…
“Fan the Flame” The 12th Kansas Disability Caucus will be held in Topeka on August 10, 11, and 12 with a Pre-Conference on August 9 and 10 provided by ikan that will focus on providing Independent Living services to individuals who are blind or have low vision. Individuals throughout the state with all types of…
Tomorrow April 28th, the Resource Center for Independent Living will unite at the Kansas Statehouse with Kansans for Quality Communities members to urge our Legislators to do what’s right for Kansans. You can read about this Action on the Kansas Health Institute site here. We will be spreading the “Save Our State” message which has…
It’s been said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but can an old dog see new again? A lady told me her service dog was going in for cataract surgery on Monday! “WOW” was about all I could say! I know that on humans, cataract surgery is one of the most common…
Good news for individuals wanting self-direction resources! The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services with the Department on Aging and the Kansas Health Policy recently launched the Self-Directing Home and Community-Based Services website. The new website will help individuals with disabilities by providing resources to learn about planning and managing self-direction services. The new…
I met with someone who was recently diagnosed with the eye condition, Age-Related Macular Degeneration. I asked her if it was the wet or dry type. She responded, “I don’t know.” I explained to her that with wet macular degeneration, the macula on the back wall of your eye swells up and causes your acute,…
While walking one day you see a man standing at an intersection holding a white cane. Does he need assistance? Is he okay? How does he know where he’s going? ASK HIM! Just walk up, tap him on the shoulder and say in your normal tone of voice “Do you need any assistance? Are you…
On March 10, The Resource Center for Independent Living hosted a Legislative Breakfast to provide education to our elected state officials on Centers for Independent Living. RCIL’s Executive Director, Chad Wilkins explains how Centers for Independent Living save Kansas money and the amazing things RCIL is doing for Kansans with disabilities. The following videos showcase…
While everyone was hopeful that the current fiscal year’s budget Rescission bill would be worked out between the House and Senate yesterday, that did not happen. Today Governor Brownback advised that he will cut $56 million from the current budget. He has not yet specified where that money would come from but indicated he…
On Tuesday January 25th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, the Big Tent Coalition is hosting a Legislative Reception. It will be held in Topeka in the Florentine Room of Jayhawk Towers at 700 SW Jackson. This will be an excellent time for members of the disability community to come together and mingle with their elected representatives. We encourage…
I know it isn’t Thanksgiving anymore, but I was just thinking about eye health and it made me realize I take so many things for granted. (I think about eye health a lot since studying to become an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.) Here is a list of every day hassles that I’m thankful for! Eye…
We all know that sitting at your desk staring at your computer screen all day isn’t healthy for your body. But have you thought about what it does to your eyes? Digital eye strain is eye and visual related problems after prolonged computer use. This condition doesn’t just occur because of computer use; it can…
This blog entry was adapted from information provided by the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) Through the dedicated work of the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), a significant change has taken place in terms of the cost of persons with disabilities who are employed and those who remain unemployed. KU conducted a five…
Lately, I’ve felt like things have been really good. I’ve had a few problems here and there but nothing horrible. When I do have a problem, I like to talk to my friends about it and see what they think. This is what I’ve noticed a real friend will do: Listen! Real friends will listen…
This blog entry was adapted from information provided by the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) RCIL is one of 13 Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Kansas. The expenditure for CILs across the state is approximately $2.7M federal and state funds. For over 30 years, CILs have helped thousands of Kansans with disabilities…
A majority of our staff attended the Big Tent Rally on April 29, 2010. The leaders of the Big Tent asked us to wear red to be more visible. Our staff was also spending a lot of time at the Capitol building during this time, so we decided we would order shirts for staff members…
Kansas is facing tough economic times, as we confront budget shortfalls, some are looking to cut Medicaid benefits, including home and community based services (HCBS). Home and community based services are vital to helping seniors and people with disabilities stay in their communities and out of institutions. If home and community based services cuts are…
Yesterday we had an all staff holiday party. I really enjoy events such as this because I can talk face-to-face to my co-workers that I don’t see on a daily basis. Yesterday, our Executive Director, Chad Wilkins, and our Direct of Independent Living, Rosie Cooper, did a presentation on the book, How Full is Your…
Every time we turn on the television or open up a newspaper, we are bombarded with news of the bad economy. It seems as though most people are in survival mode when it comes to finances and asset building isn’t their top priority; however, at a recent conference session about a program called Access to…
Last summer I was going to have a birthday party at my house for my 1 year-old. I was so excited that I started all these lists to make sure everything was in order. I had a list of people to invite, a list of food to buy and prepare and a list of…
With today being the day before Thanksgiving, I thought I’d just write a little about what we are thankful for at RCIL 1.) Our Consumers! Without our consumers we would not exist! Thank you! 2.) Personal Care Attendants (PCAs)! Without PCAs, many of our consumers would not be able to stay at home and not…