Blog

Closed for Christmas

By Mandy Smith | December 22, 2017

                All RCIL offices will be closed December 25th and 26th for Christmas.  Offices will reopen Wednesday, December 27th.  Offices will also be closed Monday, January 1st for New Year’s Day.  

Read Article

Friends Group Christmas Party Schedule

By Mandy Smith | December 4, 2017

Where did this year go?  I know for me it flew by!  So now it’s time to get the winter gear out, buy some hot chocolate and find some holiday cheer!  Please come and enjoy a Christmas party at your local Friends Group! All groups will meet from 1:00pm-3:00pm for the exception of Emporia. December…

Read Article

Thank you, Veterans!

By Mandy Smith | November 9, 2017

RCIL would like to thank all Veterans for their service.  Here are some family members and co-worker that RCIL would like to send an extra big thank you to!  (You can click on the pictures to see it enlarged, titles are underneath the photo)      

Read Article

Voicemail Working and Veterans Day

By Mandy Smith | November 6, 2017

Our voicemail system has been updated. Reminder: All offices will be closed Friday, November 10th, in observation of Veterans Day.  

Read Article

Voicemail Not Working

By Mandy Smith | November 2, 2017

Our voicemail system is down for the time being.  Please make sure to call us anytime between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday until we can get this fixed.  Thank you!

Read Article

Independent Living Classes for those with Vision Loss

By Mandy Smith | October 26, 2017

RCIL will host two independent living classes for people with vision loss in Pittsburg next month.  The first class with be November 1st and will cover self-care, transportation, cooking and shopping.  November 8th is the second class and reading, writing and over all assistive technology will be covered.  Both classes will run 1:00pm-3:00pm and will…

Read Article

RCIL’s Trunk or Treat

By Mandy Smith | October 24, 2017

Trunk or Treat 2017

Read Article

Stoplights Don’t Stop Us!

By Mandy Smith | October 11, 2017

Watch the following video on how our RCIL Friends’ Group in Emporia was able to advocate for more accessible crosswalks! “Stoplights Don’t Stop Us!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQEf-y08-To “Stoplights Don’t Stop Us!” with audio description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmeCIZuqwcI        

Read Article

Public Comment on KanCare Renewal

By Mandy Smith | September 22, 2017

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is offering opportunities to attending public meetings regarding the State’s proposed renewal of the KanCare program and to provide comments about the renewal request application. The public comment period will run from October 20-November 20, 2017. Comments will be accepted until midnight on November 20th and the…

Read Article

RCIL Expands Coverage Area for Older Blind Program

By Mandy Smith | August 9, 2017

The iKan-RCIL program started in August of 2010 and its purpose is to teach people who are blind/have low vision and are 55 years or older how to live as independently as possible. IKan-RCIL has been possible with contracts awarded from Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) that allows funding for orientation and mobility training, assistive technology…

Read Article

KACIL Receives Quality of Life Grant

By Mandy Smith | July 26, 2017

The Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL) is pleased to announce that it received one of seven national Quality of Life grants from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Funds will be used to transition people with paralysis living in nursing homes back into their homes or a community-based setting of their choice.…

Read Article

Open Positions

By Mandy Smith | June 2, 2017

Now Hiring! Challenging and Rewarding work in the Fort Scott, LaCygne, Topeka and Lawrence areas – Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc., a non-profit organization, is seeking to hire caring, flexible people to work with individuals who are re-learning independent living skills after experiencing a brain injury. Paid training provided. Background checks required. Contact Tania…

Read Article

Information for better communication with people with vision loss

By Mandy Smith | May 17, 2017

Disclaimer: I am not speaking on behalf of anyone I am just paraphrasing a few conversations I have had with some consumers and friends with vision loss. Blindness and low vision are not that common (thank goodness).  But there are still many people who have vision loss.  I’ve said in a blog before unless you’ve known…

Read Article

Dr. Herder to present on May 24th

By Mandy Smith | May 9, 2017

Q&A with Dr. Herder Flier (PDF file)

Read Article

Relationships 411

By Mandy Smith | April 24, 2017

The Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy and Resource Center for Independent Living present… A workshop of the Empower Me! Series Join us as we bring you the complete lowdown on relationships, dating, friendship, and sexual health! Saturday, May 6 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Townhouse Apartments Community Room in Iola (217 N. Washington)   WHAT: We…

Read Article

Miss Australia has first contestant who uses a wheelchair

By Mandy Smith | February 27, 2017

Follow the link to CNN’s article on the first contestant to use a wheelchair enter in a world pageant! Justine Clark is helping break barrier for those with disabilities! http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/health/pageant-contestant-wheelchair-trnd/index.html    

Read Article

February and Hearts

By Mandy Smith | February 13, 2017

Growing up, I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought February was the heart month. Decorating for Valentine’s Day has always been fun.  Pink and red hearts all over the place, candy and cards being passed out, and love in the air.  Well, now that I’m grown up (age wise at least) I realize…

Read Article

January – Glaucoma Awareness Month

By Mandy Smith | January 30, 2017

Though January is almost over there is still time to learn about Glaucoma. Currently over 3 million people in the United States have Glaucoma It is estimated that half of those people don’t know they have it There is no symptoms and once vision is lost it is permanent Glaucoma is the leading cause of…

Read Article

Free Dental Services

By Mandy Smith | January 10, 2017

Free Dental Services in Manhattan! January 27-28 Doors Open at 4:30am Patient Registration at 222 N 6th St Manhattan (old Ray’s Apple Market) –  There is only disabled parking at this location, general parking located at 100 Manhattan Town Ctr or 3rd & Leavenworth (Manhattan Town Center Mall) No Appointments- first come first served for…

Read Article

Offices Closed January 2nd

By Mandy Smith | December 29, 2016

RCIL office locations will be closed Monday, January 2nd, in observation of New Years Day.  We will resume our regular hours January 3rd.   Good luck for those starting a new year resolution!

Read Article

2016 Consumer Christmas Parties

By Mandy Smith | December 5, 2016

In case you haven’t seen our Winter Newsletter here is the article regarding our consumer Christmas parties! The holiday season is here! RCIL will have their annual consumer Christmas parties during the month of December. Below is a listing of the dates and locations of the parties. Pick the event you would like to attend…

Read Article

Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Mandy Smith | November 30, 2016

Well, it’s fall about to be winter.  The season of cold, gloomy, darkness.  For many that doesn’t stand for the weather only, it stands for their outlook on life.  Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form depression that is related to the change of seasons.  Most persons with SAD show signs or symptoms in the…

Read Article

State Seeks Kansans with Physical Disabilities Dropped from Wait List

By Mandy Smith | November 18, 2016

Are you on the Physical Disability wait list?  Have you been dropped from it?  You need to read this article from the Kansas Health Institute and contact the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)! http://www.khi.org/news/article/state-seeks-kansans-with-physical-disabilities-dropped-from-wait-list-for-m Contact information for KDADS Email  KDADS.HCBS-KS@ks.gov New England Building 503 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66603-3404 Main: 785-296-4986 Toll…

Read Article

RCIL Now Hiring

By Mandy Smith | November 4, 2016

Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. is hiring!  Transitional Living Specialists – Seeking to hire TLS to work one-on-one with individuals who has experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury to teach independent living skills in the following communities:  Colony, Fort Scott, LaCygne, Eureka, Topeka, and Lawrence.  These are all part-time positions.        Payroll Clerk – As one…

Read Article

Trunk or Treat

By Mandy Smith | October 24, 2016

RCIL will be hosting a Trunk or Treat at its Osage City location on October 27th.  The event will be from 5:00pm-7:00pm in the parking lot of 1137 Laing in Osage City.  You can participate in two different ways: you may bring treats to hand out from your trunk or you may bring children dressed in costume to…

Read Article