Blog

Upcoming Fashion Show Featuring People with Disabilities

By Adam | March 20, 2019

Runway of Dreams Foundation and Zappos are hosting the first nationally live-streamed fashion  show with models having disabilities wearing adaptive clothing and shoes. It will be next Wednesday, March 27 in Las Vegas from 3:30-5:30 (Central Time).  The link to the live stream feed is zappos.com/adaptive/fashionshow. This link will only be active during the show 3:30-5:30 (Central Time) on March…

Older Blind Program: iKan-RCIL

By Mandy Smith | March 13, 2019

As I get ready to get in the car for today’s appointments, I thought I would take this rainy morning to remind everyone of iKan-RCIL.  iKan-RCIL is a program for those who are 55 years and older and have a vision loss caused by such conditions as Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, and many…

LIEAP Application Deadline Approaching!

By Beth | March 4, 2019

Do you need assistance to pay your utility bill? The Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program that helps qualifying households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit. The deadline for 2019 LIEAP application is March 29, 2019. For more information, visit…

Family Education Series – IEP Development

By Adam | February 26, 2019

Check out this new Family Education Series provided by KU and livestreamed on Facebook.  There will be new sessions on the second Thursday of every month.  Session 1: IEP Development will begin 6:00 pm Thursday, March 14th.

2019 Ms. Wheelchair Kansas Crowning Cermony

By Mandy Smith | February 22, 2019

The Ms. Wheelchair Kansas (MWKS) crowning ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2019, 2 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Lawrence, Kan. The ceremony will be open to the public and free of charge. It will include platform speech presentations by the contestants; a keynote speech from Ms. Wheelchair Missouri, Hilary Muehlberger; farewell from…

February Low Vision Awareness Month

By Mandy Smith | February 1, 2019

February is Low Vision Awareness month so I’d like to share some knowledge on this topic. 1.) Low vision is a vision loss that makes it difficult to accomplish visual tasks even with the best possible correction, but with the potential for use of available vision, with or without optical or non-optical compensatory visual strategies,…

Kidzfest El Dorado

By Mandy Smith | January 24, 2019

Macy Collins, ILS in our El Dorado office, attended the Kidzfest on Saturday, January 5th.  This was held at Blackmore Elementary School and included fun activities, exhibits, and information about community resources.  If you’d like more information about Kidzfest you can follow them on Twitter @eldokidzfest or KIDZFEST El Dorado on Facebook.

14 Weeks to a Healthier You – Free program

By Mandy Smith | January 15, 2019

If you or someone you know has a mobility limitation or chronic illness and wants to be more physically active in 2019, we have you covered! The “14 Weeks to a Healthier You” program is a FREE online exercise and nutrition program for people with disabilities. Sign up now and start moving more this year!…

Emporia Friends group location change!

By Adam | December 14, 2018

Due to a high expected turnout the location for next week’s Emporia Friends group has been moved to the 2nd floor conference room at the Emporia Humanitarian Center.  The Humanitarian Center is located at 215 W. 6th Avenue in Emporia. For more information please contact the Emporia office at 620.342.1648.

Offices closed for holidays

By Mandy Smith | December 12, 2018

All RCIL offices will be closed on December 24th and 25th for observance of Christmas.  They will also be closed on January 1st, 2019 for New Year’s Day.   Thank you and Happy Holidays to All!

Happy Thanksgiving

By Mandy Smith | November 21, 2018

RCIL would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  All offices will be closed Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd.  We will reopen Monday, November 26th at 8:00am.  

More Games Added!

By Mandy Smith | November 15, 2018

How about them Chiefs!  If you missed your chance to see them with our fundraiser you’ll be happy to know three more games have been added for next month!  Tickets are $33.50 and RCIL will receive $10 of that! https://www.chiefs.com/tickets/ticketfundraiser Supplies are limited so get your tickets soon!  Thank you for supporting RCIL and Go Chiefs!

Equipment Donation Drives!

By Adam | October 19, 2018

RCIL serves as the Northeast Kansas access site for the Kansas Equipment Exchange (KEE) program and is holding equipment drives this month!  Can YOU help?  Do you have unneeded equipment taking up space? Did you know that your lightly used durable medical equipment can help a Kansan with a disability who needs assistive technology, but…

Busy, busy, busy

By Mandy Smith | October 15, 2018

Fall seems like a busy time of the year for everyone and here are some more items for your list: Register to vote!  Tomorrow, October 16th, is the last day to register to vote in the election on November 6th.  The disability population holds the largest amount of voters!  Don’t forget, if it’s difficult to…

Amazon Smile Fundraiser

By Mandy Smith | September 18, 2018

Do you shop on Amazon? If so you can donate to RCIL without spending any extra money! RCIL has registered with AmazonSmile Foundation which 0.5% of eligible purchases from Amazon are donated to a charity of the shopper’s choice.  All you have to do is when you go to www.amazon.com it will ask you to…

HCBS Stakeholders Meetings

By Mandy Smith | September 7, 2018

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services also known as KDADS is seeking feedback from Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) stakeholders as they are planning waiver renewals.  KDADS will be hosting regional meetings along with two options to call in.  These forums are opportunities for KDADS to hear feedback on what you think…

KanCare Program Updates

By Mandy Smith | August 29, 2018

There will be changes made to the KanCare program but they will not affect your eligibility for the program.  The state will be hosting non-mandatory meetings next week including one in Olathe, Wichita, and a conference call.  State staff will be present at meetings to provide information on what is and what is not changing…

Chiefs FUNdraiser!

By Mandy Smith | July 18, 2018

Support Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. by going to a Kansas City Chiefs game!   It’s fun and easy! Click here to purchase your tickets:   KC Chiefs Tickets Choose as many tickets as you would like and enter the promo code:  RCILINC RCIL will receive $10 for each ticket purchased. Each ticket costs $33.50.  Funds raised will…

Women’s Health and Disability Study

By Mandy Smith | May 23, 2018

Researchers from The University of Michigan Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation are doing a research project on women’s health and disability. They are interested in connecting with women with physical disabilities living in Lyon County. We are helping spread the word to women in our community! The researchers want to hear from you and…

Employment Skills Class

By Adam | May 14, 2018

Are you interested in seeking employment, but not sure where to start? Join us May 24th for a free employment skills class!  In the morning session we’ll learn about resumes, job searches, and the interview process.  In the afternoon speakers from Vocational Rehabilitation, Kansas WORKS, and a Benefits Specialist will give brief presentations of their…

April – Awareness Month

By Mandy Smith | April 23, 2018

I’m sure you have seen “Awareness Month” for one reason or another from month to month.  I know April is almost over but I thought I’d share some facts and resources about this month’s observations including Autism Awareness and Parkinson’s Awareness. Autism Awareness Month http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/ Autism short of Autism Spectrum Disorder is a development disability 1 out of 68 children have…

Kansas Renters Seminar

By Mandy Smith | April 16, 2018

Wednesday, April 18th, in Emporia attend a free seminar on everything you need to know about renting! This training is for landlords (https://tinyurl.com/EmporiaLANDLORD2018) or tenants (http://tinyurl.com/EmporiaTENANT2018) Follow link or call (785) 234-0217 for more information or to register.

SILCK Annual Report

By Mandy Smith | April 3, 2018

Check out State Independent Living Council of Kansas’ annual report below. SILCK Annual Report (PDF) SILCK Annual Report (text only) For questions or more information contact Kathy Cooper (785) 234-6990 or Kathy.cooper@silck.org

It’s My Life

By Mandy Smith | March 28, 2018

The Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy is partnering with the Resource Center for Independent Living and bringing our Empower Me! Series “It’s My Life!” Workshop to Osage City and surrounding area youth! This is simply a one-day, weekend workshop that will help youth with disabilities learn how to live independently, make good decisions, and take charge…

Pat Peterson Memorial Helps Purchase Portable Ramp

By Mandy Smith | March 13, 2018

Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. (RCIL), a non-profit organization, wishes to thank the family of Patricia Peterson for naming RCIL as the beneficiary of memorial contributions made in her name. As a founding board member of RCIL, Mrs. Peterson was instrumental in creating and overseeing Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. in 1984 which…