Here is today's Disability News Messsage.

Martha 

*Martha K. Gabehart* | "Executive Director
"Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC)
*Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
*900 SW Jackson, Suite 100 | Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 296-6525 (direct) | (785) 260-4027 (cell)

[email protected] | www.kcdcinfo.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]

 

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This information from the Administration on Disability (AoD) Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC).

View this email in your browser. [ [link removed] ]

Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): How Assistive Technology (AT) Supports Daily Life and Work

Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center
(DETAC) National Community of Practice Webinar

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | Time: 3:00-4:30pm Eastern Time (ET)

Join us for a special webinar in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with a focus on how technology is shaping the future of accessibility. The ADA affirms a simple but powerful principle: Individuals with disabilities who want to work should be able to work. In today’s fast-paced technology-driven world, there have been advancements made with tools to increase accessibility. At the same time, there are basic assistive technology (AT) tools that continue to be overlooked as a solution. The webinar panel from the Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center (AT3 Center) will focus on increasing access to and acquisition of AT tools across the lifespan. The panel will share examples of how AT is that critical bridge to helping break down barriers and provide innovative approaches for one to be more independent within the workplace and the broader community.

Presenters:

Marty Exline
Technical Assistance and Training Lead, Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP), AT3 Center

Kim Singleton
Grant Manager, ATAP, AT3 Center

Ryan Rausch
Technical Assistance and Training Lead, ATAP, AT3 Center

Register Now [ [link removed] ]

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This information is from the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA). 

KYEA Seeking Nominations for Three Awards! Nominate an Outstanding Alumni, Mentor, or Youth Supporter Each year, we recognize and celebrate three outstanding people who deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments and/or support of youth with disabilities. We have an award for a Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KSYLF) alumni, one for a committed mentor, and one for a champion of youth with disabilities. Do you know anyone who fits one of the descriptions below? Nominate them! All award recipients will be recognized at our KSYLF Mentor Luncheon in July. Nominations are DUE by _JUNE 18, 2025_!   Justin Cosco Award The Justin Cosco Award is given out every year to a KS Youth Leadership Forum alumni who has demonstrated progress toward their goals and growth as a leader. The award began in 2004, but was renamed in 2007 after the death of an alumni of the first KSYLF, Justin Cosco. In order to receive the award, nominees must be an alumni from the KSYLF years of 2001-2023 and must have demonstrated achievements since their time as a delegate. If you know an alumni who has grown since their time as a delegate, then consider nominating them!   Alumni can either nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else.  Learn more about this award and download the nomination form [ [link removed] ] Mentoring Matters Award Mentors really DO matter! Mentors can make a huge difference in someone's life. This is especially true when it comes to youth with disabilities. A good mentor can expose a young person to new opportunities, motivate them to follow through on their goals, encourage them to focus on their abilities, make them feel like they are not alone, and more. KYEA wants to recognize those individuals in our state who have made a difference serving as a mentor to a youth with a disability. Who do you know that fits this description?   Nominees must have past or present experience with mentoring youth with disabilities in a short or long term relationship. This could include one-on-one mentoring, job shadowing, group mentoring, or e-mentoring.  Learn more about this award and download the nomination form [ [link removed] ] Spirit of Hope Award Do you know someone who has a true belief in the potential and abilities of youth with disabilities? There are people all over this state who are champions for young people with disabilities... they promote the contributions of youth and have a passion for empowering our next generation. This award celebrates people from all walks of life that recognize the potential and worth of youth with disabilities in our state.  Nominees must have demonstrated a consistent belief in youth with disabilities (ages 5-25) for at least one year. Examples could include being a volunteer at KYEA, involvement in another youth program, actively sharing a message, etc.   This award was created in honor of KYEA friend, John Peterson.    Learn more about this award and download the nomination form [ [link removed] ] REMEMBER! All nominations are due by JUNE 18, 2025! Award recipients will be recognized on July 17, 2025. "Appreciation can make a day, even change a life."  -- Margaret Cousins Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy | 150 SW 30th St. | Topeka, KS 66611 US

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I have been asked to share information from Annie Rice with the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) about a study she is doing on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

The  study is a healthy eating, cooking skills, and exercise study for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She will have groups starting in Lawrence in July and Kansas City in August. The informational recruitment flyer is attached below.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Ms. Rice at [email protected]. 

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This information is from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).

Friday, May 30, 2025

New ADRC Website Launch June 2nd

We are excited to share the launch of the new Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) website [ [link removed] ], which will go live on Monday, June 2. The new website marks the kickoff of the enhanced Kansas ADRC. The Kansas ADRC’s goal is to support older adults and people living with disabilities by offering easy access to information, referrals, and options counseling. The ADRC program will help individuals make informed choices about long-term services and programs, meeting them where they live, work, and socialize.

Previously supported by the Kansas Area Agencies on Aging, the ADRC program, now supported by Liberty Healthcare, will continue to help individuals make informed choices about long-term services and programs, meeting them where they live, work, and socialize.

The Kansas ADRC offers walk-in assistance at its office in Lawrence, Kansas, as well as at several satellite locations throughout the state. More details to come. Even more exciting are the in-home appointment options for counseling. The staff of the Kansas ADRC consists of local community members who are well-versed in local community resources and look forward to creating new relationships and strengthening existing partnerships throughout the state.

The attached flyer will help demonstrate services provided by the Kansas ADRC and our local Area Agencies on Aging.

Who Do I Call? (see attachment below)

ADRC Website [ [link removed] ]

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This information is from KDADS.

View in Browser [ [link removed] ]

Virtual Town Hall on the Kansas Community Support Waiver:
June 18 from 2–3 pm CT
on Zoom

Join the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) for a town hall discussing the Community Support Waiver (CSW). This town hall will focus on Behavior Management Committees (BMCs) and self-direction.
Community Support Waiver Town Hall

Wednesday, June 18, 2025
2–3 pm CT on Zoom

REGISTER NOW* [ [link removed] ]

*Please note: The registration link above will direct you to the Town Halls page on the Kansas CSW website. Click the REGISTER button
there to sign up for the town hall.

This town hall is open to anyone who would like to attend. If you need accommodations, you can request them when you register. We will also post a recording of the town hall on the CSW website [ [link removed] ].

During this town hall, we’ll cover the following:
• Behavior Management Committees (BMCs)
• Self-direction

We hope to see you there!

What is the Community Support Waiver?

The Community Support Waiver (CSW) is a new Medicaid waiver program that will assist Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who do not need continuous 24-hour support. The CSW will expand community care choices and supplement natural supports to make it easier for anyone to live independently at home.

Have questions or comments on the CSW? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services
503 S. Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603-3404
United States


* KS ADRC Who Do I Call.pdf [ [link removed] ]
* Chef-ID Flyer-2.pdf [ [link removed] ]

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