Blog

Drug Take Back – Iola

By Mandy Smith | October 28, 2022

The 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…

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Research Participants Needed!

By Adam | October 27, 2022

The 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…

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Kansas Disability Caucus Board Positions Open for Applications

By Beth | October 21, 2022

The 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…

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KanCare Chat Option

By Mandy Smith | September 30, 2022

Have 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…

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Feedback Requested on State Plan

By Adam | September 23, 2022

The 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…

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Sept 21st – RCIL’s 38th Anniversary

By Adam | September 21, 2022

Today 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.

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PEER Program

By Mandy Smith | September 14, 2022

Did 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…

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RCIL receives $1,000 Grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas

By Beth | September 9, 2022

RCIL 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…

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Communication Access

By Mandy Smith | August 26, 2022

I 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.…

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Following A Dream

By Beth | July 25, 2022

Randy 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…

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Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates the Launch of the 9-8-8 Mental Health Lifeline in Kansas

By Mandy Smith | July 15, 2022

Governor 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…

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Events for individuals who are blind or have low vision

By Mandy Smith | June 30, 2022

I 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…

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Marking Appliances

By Mandy Smith | June 23, 2022

I 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…

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National Survey on Health & Disability

By Mandy Smith | June 1, 2022

The 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…

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RCIL’s Durable Medical Equipment Program

By Beth | May 26, 2022

As 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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Kansas Disability Caucus

By Adam | May 19, 2022

The Disability Caucus is scheduled to be held in-person August 10-12th in Topeka. It is a chance for Kansans with disabilities to come together and discuss the challenges they face in their communities and to identify potential solutions to overcome those challenges. Registration is now open! Click on the document link below for more information.

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Medicaid Dental Benefits for Adults

By Mandy Smith | May 10, 2022

On April 20, 2022, Governor Kelly signed the FY 2023 budget, which includes funding to extend Medicaid dental benefits to adults! The current Kansas Medicaid state plan offers only emergency extractions in terms of dental coverage. Additional dental services, vary year to year, are offered by the Managed Care Organizations. Please fill out the following…

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Aging Well Learning Series

By Mandy Smith | April 21, 2022

K-State Research and Extension Office is hosting a 3 day, 6 part learning series called Aging Well. The first date has already past but the second date is approaching next week, April 26th. The third and final date is May 24th. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/AgeWellSeries to receive the link for the event. Or call 913-294-4306…

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Obtaining A Ramp

By Beth | April 12, 2022

Independent 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…

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Free Budgeting Class!

By Adam | April 7, 2022

Attention Emporia area consumers! ECKAN, the United Way of the Flint Hill, and Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc. are offering a free budgeting class on April 25th from 3 – 4 pm. You will have the opportunity to learn to create and manage a household budget. See the flyer below for more details! The class…

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Family Strong – Southeast Kansas

By Mandy Smith | March 31, 2022

Family Strong is a federally funded grant, led by the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and Center for Public Partnerships and Research. Family Strong is designed to transform the child and family service system in Southeast Kansas. Family Strong’s intention is to provide all families in the Southeast Kansas region with a vast…

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Research Participation Opportunities

By Beth | March 21, 2022

The 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…

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SAVE THE DATE! Kansas Disability Caucus

By Adam | March 16, 2022

August 10-12th in Topeka Join other Kansans with disabilities to come together and share challenges, barriers, ideas, and solutions at the Disability Caucus. More details coming soon…

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Interviews to help with HCBS outcomes

By Mandy Smith | February 15, 2022

Rehabilitation and Research Training Center on HCBS Outcome Measurement along with the Institute of Community Integration from the University of Minnesota are looking for research participants for interviews.They are testing measures to improve person-centered Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) outcomes for people with disabilities. Getting services at home or in the community is important for…

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Emporia Life Skills Class

By Beth | February 10, 2022

The 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…

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