Ability KC

Ability KC Ability KC brings together the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City and Children's Therapeutic Learning Center.

Ability KC brings together Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City and Children's Therapeutic Learning Center. Whether an individual is born with or experiences in life a physical, developmental, or behavioral condition, a person is not defined by disability nor does it limit quality of life. We invite you to join the journey in helping others and changing the conversation from disability to ability.

Ability KC joins the community in mourning the passing of William H. Dunn Sr., a strategic visionary and philanthropist ...
06/02/2026

Ability KC joins the community in mourning the passing of William H. Dunn Sr., a strategic visionary and philanthropist who always believed in giving back to the community. His impact touched every corner of Kansas City, including Ability KC and our legacy organizations, the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City and Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center, where he was a great supporter of our mission.

At last year’s Ability Luncheon, we were honored to present the Bill and Jean Dunn Family with one of our Impact Awards, recognizing their longstanding leadership and personal commitment to Ability KC’s mission.

Ability KC extends heartfelt sympathy to the Dunn family and JE Dunn as we remember a leader whose impact will continue to shape our community for generations.

Ability KC is excited to announce the return of our "Thriving with Therapy" campaign as part of the KMBC 9 Cares for Kid...
06/02/2026

Ability KC is excited to announce the return of our "Thriving with Therapy" campaign as part of the KMBC 9 Cares for Kids initiative! This month kicks off our campaign highlighting the inspiring stories of children and adolescents receiving services at Ability KC, and the meaningful progress made possible through the strength of community support.

Tune in to KMBC 9 News throughout June to follow the incredible journeys of children receiving services at Ability KC. To donate to our Thriving with Therapy campaign, please visit https://abilitykc.org/kmbc-9-cares-for-kids-campaign/

We love celebrating people who give back!Last week, we were honored to welcome our 2026 Luncheon Chairs, the Winzenried'...
05/28/2026

We love celebrating people who give back!

Last week, we were honored to welcome our 2026 Luncheon Chairs, the Winzenried's, to Ability KC’s Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool for a very special visit. Their daughter, June, chose to celebrate her recent birthday by giving back — requesting toy donations for the preschoolers instead of presents from her friends for the second year in a row.

The children lit up as the gifts were shared, and we know these toys will support meaningful moments of exploration, growth, and joy in the classroom. We are deeply grateful for Adam, Hillary, and June’s generosity, their partnership, and their continued leadership as true champions of ability.

Last week, we celebrated a remarkable group of students from Ability KC’s Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool as the...
05/27/2026

Last week, we celebrated a remarkable group of students from Ability KC’s Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool as they graduated and completed their final year with us—a milestone shaped by years of learning, progress, and joyful moments. Their time here has been filled with resilience and discovery, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far they’ve come. As our Preschool Manager, LaShun, shared, “We’re sad to see them go, but we love to see them grow!”

May their next chapter be bright, hopeful, and full of wonder.

All Ability KC programs and facilities will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hours will r...
05/22/2026

All Ability KC programs and facilities will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hours will resume Tuesday, May 26. Wishing you a safe holiday weekend!

Ability KC is honored to be selected as a United Way of Greater Kansas City Impact 100 partner for 2026! This partnershi...
05/18/2026

Ability KC is honored to be selected as a United Way of Greater Kansas City Impact 100 partner for 2026! This partnership elevates our visibility and provides vital unrestricted support that fuels our mission to build brighter futures for individuals with disabilities. Together, we’re strengthening community health, expanding opportunities for youth and education, and creating lasting financial stability for all.

On Christmas Day, Michael experienced a hemorrhagic stroke. When he came to Ability KC, he was unable to walk. But he ma...
05/14/2026

On Christmas Day, Michael experienced a hemorrhagic stroke. When he came to Ability KC, he was unable to walk. But he made himself a promise: “This is my job now.” And he showed up every day ready to work hard.

His expert care team built a personalized, multidisciplinary plan around his goals of walking again, returning to teaching, and regaining independence. At Ability KC, stroke rehab is never one size fits all. It’s a coordinated, expert driven approach that treats the whole person.

In his occupational therapy sessions, Michael rebuilt independence in daily tasks and completed mCIMT, regaining meaningful use of his left arm. In physical therapy, he progressed from wheelchair‑dependent to walking with a walker and now transitioning to a cane, supported by LiteGait and Bioness L300. In speech therapy, he strengthened memory, organization, and higher‑level cognitive skills for returning to work. He also completed Interactive Metronome to improve timing, processing, and reaction speed.

What sets Ability KC apart is our team based model. Our therapists collaborate with nursing, social work, counseling, case management, adaptive technology specialists, and return to work navigators to support the entire journey, not just therapy sessions.

Michael's message to others starting their journey at Ability KC: “Give it 100%.” Today, he’s walking more independently, teaching, and back to the things he loves doing, and we’re honored to be beside him during it all.

A beautiful day on the green! ⛳️ This past Saturday, Ability KC was honored to join more than 140 players, along with de...
05/11/2026

A beautiful day on the green! ⛳️ This past Saturday, Ability KC was honored to join more than 140 players, along with dedicated volunteers and generous supporters, at the Ryan Owenby Memorial Golf Tournament. Together, we celebrated Ryan’s life and legacy and the incredible community that continues to carry it forward.

A heartfelt thank‑you to the Owenby family and Shamrock Hills Golf Course for organizing and hosting such a meaningful event, and a special shoutout to our incredible sponsors for making it all possible. Your support strengthens our mission and helps create brighter futures for the individuals and families we serve.

Ability KC was proud to host another impactful Bi-State Stroke Conference at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center y...
05/08/2026

Ability KC was proud to host another impactful Bi-State Stroke Conference at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center yesterday, bringing together leading experts across the region to advance innovation in stroke rehabilitation. In collaboration with the Bi-State Stroke Education Consortium, this event strengthens education for providers across the full continuum of stroke care.

Our expert therapists and staff presented on the topics of Navigating Medical Complexity: Delivering Integrated, Person-Centered Rehabilitation and Optimizing Seating for Individuals After Stroke. These conversations highlighted the strength of our collaborative model, where staff from areas such as nursing, return‑to‑work, and our speech, occupational, and physical therapists can work closely together to support every stage of an individual’s rehabilitation journey.

As one therapist shared, “It’s about building rapport with the patient and their family. We’re there for them to trust us. We stay aligned on goals, even when those goals change.” This philosophy is at the core of Ability KC: collaboration, compassion, and a commitment to going above and beyond so every individual receives the best possible care.

A heartfelt thank you to all who attended and to our outstanding presenters: Ashley Kinsey, RN; Collin Shelton, MS, CCC‑SLP, CBIS; Kayla Thuet, DPT; Kristi Payne, OTR; Mary Kate Pikus, OTR/L; Alison Carr, PT, DPT, CBIS; Erin Brown, OTR, ATP, and the many other experts we learned from.

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For nearly 30 years, teaching was second nature to Fulece, until a sudden stroke earlier this year made everyday tasks u...
05/07/2026

For nearly 30 years, teaching was second nature to Fulece, until a sudden stroke earlier this year made everyday tasks unexpectedly difficult. Instead of stepping back, she stepped forward, arriving at Ability KC with a clear purpose: regain her independence and return to her students.

Her expert therapy team quickly identified the areas where she needed support and built a personalized plan to help her move confidently toward that goal. They focused on balance and gait training, cognitive‑communication work, memory strategies, and tools to help her stay organized and manage information.

One of the most meaningful moments in her rehabilitation was leading a craft session with children in our pediatric and adolescent program. It allowed her to practice real teaching skills again including planning, communicating, organizing, and helped rebuild her confidence as she prepared to return to the classroom. As she shared, “Teaching is in my heart. Working with the kids here showed me that it didn’t leave me after the stroke.”

Recently, Fulece proudly celebrated her first full week back in the classroom, using the strategies she learned at Ability KC to support both herself and her students. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one educator can have, and the strength it takes to return to the work that shapes so many lives.

Address

31st Street & Main St
Kansas City, MO
64108

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18167517700

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