Blog

RCIL Friends Group

By Beth | February 19, 2021

Peer Counseling is a Core Service that RCIL offers to people with disabilities.  RCIL helps them connect with other people who have, or have experienced, a disability by hosting an online RCIL Friends group once a month.  The group meets virtually via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 2:00pm – 3:00pm.  They…

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Free ASL Online Classes

By Mandy Smith | February 5, 2021

Oklahoma School for the Deaf is offering free ASL I & II classes online.  It is a 8 week pre-recorded course February 15-April 5.  Classes will upload every Monday at 6:00pm.  Certificates are available upon request after you satisfy course requirements.  For more information contact Sarah Jameson sjameson@osd.k12.ok.us or Kara Floyd kfloyd@osd.k12.ok.us    

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Vaccination Info for Direct Support Workers

By Adam | December 30, 2020

We have been receiving some questions regarding how Direct Support Workers (DSWs) can get a COVID-19 vaccination.  The following information was provided by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS): Community-Based Long-Term Services and Support (LTSS) workers like DSWs in Kansas are deemed health care workers in the context of receiving a COVID-19…

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Access to Independence

By Beth | December 17, 2020

James and Sandy Garner were thrilled to have their ramp built at their home.  For several years, James spent numerous days inside their home because it was difficult for him to walk and to use steps.  When he had to go to the hospital, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) had to use their back door…

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Accessible Recreation Survey

By Adam | November 19, 2020

The Kansas Disability and Health Program (DHP) is conducting a survey to collect information about accessible recreation and physical activity opportunities available to Kansans with all types of disabilities, including mobility, vision, hearing, intellectual and developmental. This information about programs, parks and sites will be compiled into a resource directory to be published on the…

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KABVI hosting online convention

By Mandy Smith | November 12, 2020

Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (KABVI) will be hosting with the assistance of American Counsel of the Blind (ACB) an online convention Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st.  This is the ACB’s annual meeting but it is also a celebration of KABVI’s 100 year anniversary. Friday’s agenda is scheduled 10:00am-5:00pm and…

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Kansas Disability Caucus Seeking Board Members

By Adam | October 29, 2020

A message from the Kansas Disability Caucus Board Chair Lou Ann Kibbee: “The KS Disability Caucus, Inc. Board has five positions up for election each beginning January 1, 2021 for a two year term.  The Board wants to make sure that it represents the faces of Kansans with disabilities, therefore we need applicants from various…

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ADA 30: Nothing About Us Without Us

By Beth | October 22, 2020

A Virtual Celebration with Judith Heumann Judith Heumann, internationally recognized disability rights leader and activist, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month virtually with the University of Kansas and the Lawrence communities and guests worldwide on October 28-29, 2020. Heumann’s visit is organized…

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White Cane Day

By Mandy Smith | October 15, 2020

October 15th is White Cane Safety Day also known as Blind Americans Equality Day.  Which is a day to celebrate and raise awareness about the white cane, that people who are blind or have low vision use to help with mobility.  A white cane’s purpose is to identify objects on a traveler’s route and to…

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Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program

By Beth | September 24, 2020

The ECKAN Weatherization Assistance Program is accepting applications for individuals in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Chase, Coffey, Douglas, Franklin, Greenwood, Johnson, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Morris, Osage, Woodson and Wyandotte counties. Eligible individuals include home owners and renters that meet household income levels. If anyone in the household receives one or more of the following sources of…

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Get Paid to Workout!

By Adam | September 15, 2020

WOWii Recruitment Flyer (KU) Introducing a new WOWii program that is being implemented as part of the Kansas Disability & Health Program. This program is a 16-week online program focused on increasing physical activity for persons who have a mobility disability and use a wheelchair. Equipment and services are provided at no cost. There is…

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Kansans with Disabilities: Transportation Barriers = Health Barriers

By Beth | September 3, 2020

The Kansas Disability and Health Program with The University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies developed a fact sheet called “Kansans with Disabilities: Transportation Barriers = Health Barriers.” The fact sheet identified the transportation barriers along with possible solutions to remove those barriers for people with disabilities. They also listed several personal…

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Mental Health Program for Women with SCI

By Adam | August 7, 2020

Online Group Psychological Health Promotion Program for Women with Spinal Cord Injury The Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Research Center (SCIDR) at TIRR Memorial Hermann is recruiting for a study to test a psychological health promotion program for women with spinal cord injury (SCI). The 10-week group program, Zest: A Psychological Health Promotion Program for Women…

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MIGHTY

By Beth | July 24, 2020

Do you have a mobility – related disability? Looking to lose weight? We are offering a research weight management program that provides: diet plan physical activity social interaction without leaving your home! All participants must be over the age of 18 and willing to: Being randomized to either individual home visits or group participation via…

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Register to Vote

By Mandy Smith | July 13, 2020

Tomorrow, July 14th, is the last day to register to vote for the primary election on August 4th.  You may register online, by mail, or in person.  The link to register is https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/kansas/ According to vote411.org the process for an absentee ballot is as follows: To vote by mail, follow these instructions: Complete the application for…

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Kansas Disability Caucus – Online

By Mandy Smith | July 1, 2020

The Kansas Disability Caucus, Inc. would like to announce registration is open for the Kansas Online Disability Caucus on August 12th-14th. After our Board had to make a difficult decision to cancel the in person Disability Caucus event on the same dates in Topeka, we felt it important that we provide some sessions online. We…

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Research study – Experiences of young adults with disabilities, the internet, and work

By Mandy Smith | June 19, 2020

Researchers with the Great Lakes ADA Center in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago are seeking participants to complete an online survey about work, internet use, and disability rights. Who is eligible for this study? Survey participates must: Identify as having a disability. Be 18-24 years old.…

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5 Apps for People with Vision Loss

By Mandy Smith | June 15, 2020

I get questions many times about available apps for people who have vision loss. I thought I’d write a brief description of 5 apps that have great features for people who are blind or visually impaired. LookTel Money Reader – This app uses the camera on the back of the phone/tablet and then says out…

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2020 Kansas Disability Caucus

By Adam | June 5, 2020

The 2020 Kansas Disability Caucus has been cancelled due to concerns about the Coronavirus.  However, plans are being made to hold some caucus sessions virtually.  More information on that will be released soon.  Please see this cancellation announcement for more complete details.

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NAMI supports

By Mandy Smith | May 29, 2020

National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, is offering the following supports: First, we are implementing monthly workshops via online to provide educational topics.  To do this, we are seeking workshop topics and presenters.  If interested in submitting a workshop proposal, you can learn more at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020-2021_Online_Workshops Second, we implemented an online support group for Front…

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SNAP Program Benefits & Eligibility Update

By Adam | April 27, 2020

All households participating in SNAP will get the maximum benefit per their size beyond May. Emergency allotments for SNAP food assistance are extended on a month-by-month basis. For example, a household of one will now automatically get their monthly food benefits increased to $194. Families of four will get $646 per month. Now is the…

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Stimulus Checks for SSI Recipients

By Adam | April 16, 2020

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that individuals receiving SSDI and/or SSI will automatically be sent stimulus funds.   However, those who have who have qualifying children under age 17 must enter information as soon as possible to receive the $500 per dependent rebate.  Those who have dependents should visit the IRS website and complete the…

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Local COVID-19 Resources and Services

By Adam | April 8, 2020

We have started a list of localized resources, services, and changes to businesses, agencies, and other organizations on our resource page.  Remember to check it often as the information changes quickly. If you know of a resource in your area please share it with us by commenting here or emailing us with the details at…

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RCIL is Here and Providing Services! No FMS/Payroll Interruptions are Expected

By Mandy Smith | March 26, 2020

Travel to Provide Essential HCBS  RCIL has received calls from concerned Direct Support Workers regarding the need for travel documents while they are working for their consumer during “stay at home” ordered periods. RCIL has received official direction from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services that Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are…

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Travel to Provide HCBS

By Adam | March 24, 2020

RCIL has received some phone calls from concerned Direct Support Workers regarding the need for travel documents while they are working for their consumer during “stay at home” ordered periods. RCIL has received official direction from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services that Home and Community Based Services (HCBA) are considered essential healthcare.…

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