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Each spring Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City (BIAKS) sponsors a day on the hill in Topeka to educate state legislators about brain injury and potential legislative initiatives that will help improve the lives of those affected by this injury. Join BIAKS for this year’s FREE event on Tuesday, March 14. This event…
Read ArticleDo 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…
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Our friends at Independence Inc. and 3 Rivers Independent Living Centers have started a local online support group for people experiencing long COVID. The group is open to anyone who would like to join, even if they have not been officially diagnosed with long COVID. Please see the flyers below for more details or contact…
Read ArticleI am hosting low vision independent living classes in Chanute on February 21st and 28th from 1:00pm-3:00pm. The first day will focus on overall skills of living with vision loss (cooking, cleaning, health care, transportation, communication, etc.) and the second day will be more focused on tools to help with these skills. This event is…
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 ArticleMs. Wheelchair Kansas is searching for women of achievement, who are wheelchair mobile, to serve as contestants in the Eighteenth Annual Ms. Wheelchair Kansas event. Contestants can be nominated by a person or group or can choose to participate in the program. The 2023 event will take place on March 17-19 at the DoubleTree Hotel in…
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 ArticleIs your mom, dad or grandparent struggling with their eye sight? RCIL has a program (iKan-RCIL) for anyone 55 years or older that has a vision loss that is affecting their daily living. This service is free and offered in 32 counties. Services include: white cane training, independent living skills training (such as cooking and…
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…
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Individuals with disabilities who need support to remain living in their own homes need your help!
Read ArticleThe Iola Police Department is hosting a drug take back event tomorrow from 10am-2pm. This allows individuals to safely discard unneeded/expired medication and ensure safety and wellbeing to the community. The police department is located at 2 W. Jackson (in the City Hall). Reminder: make sure you always store your medication in a safe location…
Read ArticleThe University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living (RTCIL) is seeking persons who use manual wheelchairs for a study. If you use a manual wheelchair, if you want to become more physically active, and if you could use a Fitbit and an extra $100 you should check it out! No travel required…
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 ArticleHave you moved in the last three years? KIERA is KanCare’s new chatbot and makes it easy to updated your information. So make sure your contact information is up-to-date and to read and follow the instructions on any mail that you receive from various State of Kansas departments. This is very important to not lose…
Read ArticleThe Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) is in the process of preparing the next 3‐year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), one of its federally‐mandated duties. As part of that process, the Council is seeking input from people with disabilities regarding issues that are critical to their living as independently and inclusively as possible…
Read ArticleToday marks RCIL’s 38th year since incorporation! Founded by Bill Reyer in 1984, we have been working for, and with, Kansans with disabilities all along the way. Enjoy these 1984 fun facts as we take a look back.
Read ArticleDid you know RCIL has a PEER program? PEER stands for Peers Empowering Each (other) Responsibly. So what does this mean? RCIL has people with disabilities on staff, Peer Specialists, who work with our consumers (who have disabilities). The Peer Specialist assists the consumer with setting up an independent living plan and helping the person…
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 ArticleI attended the Kansas Disability Caucus earlier this month and was able to not only be present a session but attended some fabulous sessions. The one that stuck out the most, and I can’t stop thinking about, was presented by Robert Cooper who works for the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.…
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 ArticleGovernor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that launches 9-8-8 as the official 24/7 three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Beginning Saturday, July 16, Kansans and all Americans can call 9-8-8 during mental health and substance abuse emergencies. Governor Kelly joined Sedgwick County Commissioners, legislators, and local advocates…
Read ArticleI will be hosting three events in July for individuals who are blind or have low vision. As I’ve posted in the past, I run RCIL’s program, iKan-RCIL, which is for anyone 55 years and older who has a vision loss that affects their daily living. I will be hosting two independent living classes in…
Read ArticleI might be aging myself here but I always remember that Reese’s commercial “There’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s”. This is how I feel about marking appliances to assist individuals who are blind or have low vision. As long as you get the person’s feedback and the buttons they need are marked, its…
Read ArticleThe National Survey on Health & Disability is conducting a survey on health care experiences. Any adult in the US over the age of 18 with any type of disability, mental illness or chronic health condition is encouraged to complete the survey. And if you choose, you can enter a drawing to win one of…
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…
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