empowerment
I am a Case Manager, yet I do not manage cases, I work with people. My job is to visit people in their homes who have physical disabilities and complete an assessment to determine if they are eligible for a Medicaid program that provides long term care services to them in their own homes.…
Read ArticleI solicited ideas for this blog post from our followers on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks to @Wayne2poles for the topic regarding how people with disabilities can live alone and can afford it. Being gainfully employed is the best way to be able to afford to live independently. Not only does it allow you to bring…
Read ArticleCommunity integration ensures that people with disabilities have the supports and services they need to live in their own homes in their communities. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) champion community integration and understand that when a community is truly integrated it then becomes the best possible community for all of its inhabitants. Sometimes we…
Read ArticleYesterday Gov. Sam Brownback and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer unveiled sweeping changes to the Kansas Medicaid program. These changes were a part of the Governor’s “Roadmap” and took on one of the three big areas he wanted to tackle along with KPERS and Education. Beginning in January of 2013 all Medicaid recipients will be under…
Read ArticleThe Big Tent Coalition and Kansans for Quality Communities are teaming up to bring Town Hall meetings to towns across Kansas. The purpose is to “discuss the impact of continuing budget cuts on vital state services and the ramifications of eliminating the Kansas income tax.” The Resource Center for Independent Living is working to ensure…
Read ArticleAs we edge closer to winter, the leaves are changing and falling, the air is cooler, and the days are shorter. These are expected changes we prepare for each year. This year, Kansans with disabilities are experiencing many other changes. There is a new administration in Kansas state government and in SRS, over the last…
Read ArticleThe Resource Center for Independent Living is partnering with Centers for Independent Living(CILs) all across Kansas in a Letters to the Editor campaign coordinated by the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas(SILCK). I have drafted 9 sample letters for advocates and consumers to use as inspiration for their own letters covering a range of topics.…
Read ArticleOn Saturday, September 10th Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC) and Kansas ADAPT are teaming up to host a rally on the steps of the Statehouse from 1:00pm-2:30pm. The Rally is in support for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services. These services are imperative for Kansans with disabilities to remain in their homes and…
Read ArticleLast week, members of the disability community from across the state came together in Topeka for the Kansas Disability Caucus. This year’s theme was “Fan the Flame” to get everyone pumped up and excited to accomplish what needs to be done in the next couple of years. Mark Derry, from West Virginia, started the Caucus…
Read Article“Fan the Flame” The 12th Kansas Disability Caucus will be held in Topeka on August 10, 11, and 12 with a Pre-Conference on August 9 and 10 provided by ikan that will focus on providing Independent Living services to individuals who are blind or have low vision. Individuals throughout the state with all types of…
Read ArticleWhile walking one day you see a man standing at an intersection holding a white cane. Does he need assistance? Is he okay? How does he know where he’s going? ASK HIM! Just walk up, tap him on the shoulder and say in your normal tone of voice “Do you need any assistance? Are you…
Read ArticleI know it isn’t Thanksgiving anymore, but I was just thinking about eye health and it made me realize I take so many things for granted. (I think about eye health a lot since studying to become an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.) Here is a list of every day hassles that I’m thankful for! Eye…
Read ArticleThis blog entry was adapted from information provided by the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) Through the dedicated work of the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), a significant change has taken place in terms of the cost of persons with disabilities who are employed and those who remain unemployed. KU conducted a five…
Read ArticleThis blog entry was adapted from information provided by the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) RCIL is one of 13 Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Kansas. The expenditure for CILs across the state is approximately $2.7M federal and state funds. For over 30 years, CILs have helped thousands of Kansans with disabilities…
Read ArticleA majority of our staff attended the Big Tent Rally on April 29, 2010. The leaders of the Big Tent asked us to wear red to be more visible. Our staff was also spending a lot of time at the Capitol building during this time, so we decided we would order shirts for staff members…
Read ArticleKansas is facing tough economic times, as we confront budget shortfalls, some are looking to cut Medicaid benefits, including home and community based services (HCBS). Home and community based services are vital to helping seniors and people with disabilities stay in their communities and out of institutions. If home and community based services cuts are…
Read ArticleYesterday we had an all staff holiday party. I really enjoy events such as this because I can talk face-to-face to my co-workers that I don’t see on a daily basis. Yesterday, our Executive Director, Chad Wilkins, and our Direct of Independent Living, Rosie Cooper, did a presentation on the book, How Full is Your…
Read ArticleLast summer I was going to have a birthday party at my house for my 1 year-old. I was so excited that I started all these lists to make sure everything was in order. I had a list of people to invite, a list of food to buy and prepare and a list of…
Read ArticleAs a Center for Independent Living (CIL), RCIL is committed to working with Kansans with disabilities to enable them to live independently in their homes and communities. But what exactly does that mean? In Kansas, Centers for Independent Living are tasked with providing 5 core services. They are Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Independent Living…
Read ArticleThis blog was written by Mandy Smith, an RCIL Staff member, who recently became an O&M Specialist. She has been working with RCIL since June 2009. In August of this year, I applied for a new position at RCIL. When I found out I had the position, I was so excited I went and told…
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