Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
... for a fully integrated and accessible society for all people with disabilities ...
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House GOP leaders pen letter backing DD supports in KanCare
The top three House GOP leaders have penned a memo to fellow members of the chamber saying the trio supports including long-term supports for the developmentally disabled in KanCare.
Most providers of the DD services oppose the KanCare expansion and the House leaders rebuked them in the letter for "making every effort to undermine the state's ability to improve services to our DD population and address the waiting list for DD services."
The memo, signed by House Speaker Ray Merrick of Stilwell, Majority Leader Jene Vickrey of Louisburg and Speaker Pro Tem Peggy Mast of Emporia, was distributed to House members on Thursday, the day after Rep. John Rubin, a Shawnee Republican, announced during a House GOP caucus meeting that he was collecting signatures in support of extending the "carve-out" of the DD services from KanCare until Jan. 1, 2015. ...
Read the full story on our State/Local Issues News page
Psychiatry’s revamped DSM guidebook fuels debate
For ADHD, the definition is being broadened, meaning the disorder could be diagnosed in more children. In the case of autism, the opposite is true.
The new criteria are among the changes that will be released with the publication this weekend of the long-awaited guidebook that psychiatrists and other mental health clinicians use to diagnose mental disorders. It’s the first major update in nearly 20 years. The 947-page tome by the American Psychiatric Association adds some new disorders, broadens criteria for existing ones and tightens them for other illnesses.
The highly controversial decisions involved in producing the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, have a potentially broad impact: They can affect which services children receive in schools, what treatments patients receive from doctors and even how people are viewed by society. ...
Read the full story on our Health/Long-term Services News page
Tavenner (Photo via HHS)
Senate Confirms Tavenner To Head CMS
KHN's Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jennifer Haberkorn of Politico Pro about the Senate's confirmation Wednesday of Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the challenges she will face.
Listen to audio of this interview.
Read the full story on our Federal Issues News page
ACTIVITY CODES FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANT SERVICES (T1019) IN THE MR/DD WAIVER AND PERSONAL SERVICES (S5126) IN THE PD AND TBI WAIVERS, (PDF Format) (Word Format)
ACTIVITY CODES FOR ATTENDANT CARE SERVICES LEVEL I, LEVEL II, AND SELF-DIRECTED IN THE FRAIL ELDERLY WAIVER, (PDF Format) (Word Format)
Governor's Mental Health Initiative Regional Stakeholder Meetings
May 13 -18, 2013
Location and time of Regional Meetings
Join the Conversation for Change
May 13-27, 2013
Dialogue Will Shape Federal Strategies for Helping Young People with Disabilities Successfully Transition from School to Work
To register for and participate in the dialogue, visit http://FPTepolicyworks.ideascale.com.
You Are Invited to Share in the Fun at these Upcoming TILRC Events!
Rec. Committee Fishing Outing -
Gage Park Pond (on SW Westlake Court) June 14th, 9 – 11 a.m. (view photos from the May Fishing Outing)
23th Americans With Disabilities Act Anniversary Celebration - July 26th, 408 SW Jackson St (times TBA)
Rec. Committee Movie Showing - 408 Jackson, August 16th, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Rec. Committee Fishing Outing –
Lake Shawnee (accessible fishing dock), Sept. 6, 9 a.m. – Noon (includes a picnic lunch)
KDHE KanCare May Tour
May 21, 22 & 23, 1-3pm & 6-8pm
If you get long-term services and supports (LTSS) through the KanCare program we want to hear from you and your family about how it is going. Meeting Locations
Public Hearing for the 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 | 2 to 4 p.m.
The hearing will provide an opportunity to offer input on its 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living. The interactive webcast will connect people in six Kansas communities; Garden City, Hays, Kansas City, Parsons, Topeka and Wichita; through a live audio and video broadcast. Participants in each location will be able to share their comments or questions, which will be broadcast live to all locations.
New to the TILRC Website:
Adapting Motor Vehicles For People With Disabilities - this brochure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is based on the experience of driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals who work with individuals who require adaptive devices for their motor vehicles. It is centered around a proven process that can help you avoid costly mistakes when purchasing and modifying a vehicle with adaptive equipment.
Section 504 FAQ - These questions and answers focus on the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibit disability discrimination in programs receiving HUD funds or financial assistance.
HUD Notice on Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing and HUD-Funded Programs - This notice explains certain obligations of housing providers covered by the FHAct, Section 504, and/or the ADA with respect to animals that provide assistance to individuals with disabilities.
Now Accepting Applications for
TILRC's 2013 George Wolf Youth Internship Program
Contact Kim at 233-4572 for additional information
LET US HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR INDEPENDENT LIVING GOALS!
If you are a TILRC consumer you may already know how we help people who want to transition from an institution, like a nursing facility, back into the community or how we help folks get the attendant care services they need through the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Programs, but you may not be aware of all the other ways we help people with disabilities maintain or increase their independence. Learn more about how our advocates can help you be more independent in many aspects of daily living.
Job Openings
- AAPD Jobs Board
- Community Resource Council Jobs Bank
- Disabilty Scoop Jobs Listings
- NCIL Jobs & Internships Listings
- Independent Living Advocate, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC)
- Part-time Summer Outreach Coordinator, Topeka Metro
- Executive Director, Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK)
ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Think College! Webinars
What the Future Holds, May 20, 2013, 1-2:30PM CDT - This webinar looks to the future, and discusses some of the next generation of issues likely to result from the increased demand for and supply of PSE options for students with ID.
Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars
Ticket to Work for People Who Have a Mental Illness: Support on Your Journey to Employment, May 22, 2013, 2-4:30pm CDT
Accessible Technology On-line Webinar Series
The next in the series of webcasts will be:
Accessibility with WordPress, May 22, 2013, 1-2:30pm CT
Autism NOW Webinars
Service Implications of the DSM-5 for People with Autism, May 28, 2013, 1-2:30pm CDT
ADA Audio Conference Series
Upcoming changes for federal contractors and subcontractors: Hiring and employing people with disabilities, May 28, 2013, 1-2:30pm CDT
LEAD Center Webinars
Introduction to Customized Employment and Customized Self Employment, May 29, 2013, 2-3:30pm CDT, Participants will gain an understanding of how these practices can support job placement efforts for a variety of job seekers both with and without disabilities.
Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) Webinars
Local Policy Development: Ensuring Your Transportation Service is Open and Accessible to All, June 05, 2013, 1-2:30 CDT
AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series
Accessible Fire Alarm Systems, June 06, 2013, 1:30-3pm CT
ADA Legal Webinar Series
The anatomy and myth of the ADA drive-by lawsuit, July 16, 2013, 1-2:30pm CT
WebEd Webinar Series
Accessibility of Web Information: Implications for how the Public and Private Sector Conducts Business, July 17, 2013, 2-3:30pm
POLICYMAKERS/RESEARCHERS NEED YOUR INPUT:
University of Hartford and the Shriners Hospital for Children Survey on Orthopedic Surgery for Children with Cerebral Palsy Who Walk - We want to know what information people need to help make decisions about whether or not to have surgery to improve the walking abilities of children with cerebral palsy. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child who has cerebral palsy and surgery has been recommended or if you are a person with cerebral palsy and surgery was recommended for you, we want to hear from you. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
Wireless RERC Survey on Emergency Communications & People with Disabilities - This survey by the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center asks you to share some information about yourself, your experiences, and your preferences for communicating in emergencies. Your answers will be used to improve accessibility of emergency communications for people of all ages and abilities.
ITEM Coalition Survey on Access to Assistive Devices Under Medicare - The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition is surveying Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities and chronic conditions to assess their experience accessing the devices they need to function independently in everyday life. ITEM is interested in getting feedback from individuals who access medical device and assistive technology in areas where Medicare has implemented a selective provider contracting program known as the DME Competitive Bidding Program, and comparing that feedback to individuals who use devices outside of those areas.
SABE Self Determination Survey - Tell SABE if your local or statewide self advocacy organization's activities help its members to be more self-determined.
Access to 9-1-1 for People with Disabilities Survey
PECS Survey for Parents of Children with Autism - This survey askes asks parents to describe their children's Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training, their children's PECS use, and their own attitudes towards PECS.
Topeka ADA Advisory Council Members Needed!
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD! - Help eliminate the use of the R-word in everyday speech.