Independence, Inc.

08/31/2026

Update: An active Microsoft 365 and Exchange Online service outage is affecting users in Kansas City, Kansas, and nationwide, primarily disrupting Outlook email delivery and access.

https://www.cnet.com/news-live/microsoft-outlook-exchange-online-service-outage/

Our office is currently experiencing email issues with an apparent Microsoft Outlook outage in our area. We are currently unable to send or receive email as of this morning, Monday, August 31. If you need assistance or are trying to contact us, please use the following phone numbers:
Lawrence office: 785-841-0333
Kansas City office: 913-354-6882

Thank you for your patience!

Image Description:
Blue and white square Microsoft Office logo depicting an envelope with a graphic interpretation of a letter or piece of mail inside.

08/17/2026

For our Wyandotte County friends...

Our Youth Transition Alliance of Wyandotte County (YTAWC) Community Stakeholder Meetings are starting back up this month, and we want YOU to join us (yes, you!).
These meetings bring together schools, service providers, community organizations, youth with disabilities, employers, families, and other partners who are committed to improving transition outcomes.
Our stakeholder meetings provide an opportunity to:
•Share updates on programs, services, and community resources.
•Collaborate on strategies to better support youth transitioning to adulthood.
•Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities within our local transition network.
•Build partnerships and coordinate efforts to improve outcomes for youth and families.

We welcome both returning and new partners. Your experience, expertise, and perspective are valuable as we work together to strengthen Youth Transition Services throughout Wyandotte County
We meet the Third Wednesdsay of each month from 5:00-6:00 via Teams virtual meeting or in-person at Independence, Inc. - 11010 Haskell Ave. Kansas City, KS.
DM us for more information or reach out to us at [email protected]

07/27/2026

"A look at the decades-long struggle for in America..."

07/27/2026

This looks like a fabulous new resource - the Kansas Benefits Guide! Now live online - check it out!

New Resource Available: Kansas IDD Benefits Guide Now Live!

A central guide to education, benefits, healthcare, employment, waivers, and daily living supports for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Explore the Guide at https://www.kcdd.org/kansas-benefits-guide

[Image description: White and blue banner with text “NEW RESOURCE FROM KCDD Kansas Benefits Guide for Individuals with IDD” above a laptop and mobile phone showing the new benefits guide + text: https://www.kcdd.org/kansas-benefits-guide]

07/27/2026

During , did you know the KU Life Span Institute is home to one of the nation's longest-running studies on and its impact on families? We are working to determine how the needs and challenges of families and individuals living with with Fragile X evolve as children enter adulthood.

Interested in learning more about our work to better understand ? Visit https://fragilexlab.ku.edu

07/27/2026

Yep! Important information for the public to know...

There are many reasons a person may use a wheelchair, and all are equally valid. 🩷

Image description: a colorful educational infographic on a light gray background explains that many wheelchair users can walk. Across the top, large bold pink text reads, “Many wheelchair users can WALK.”

Down the left side are three illustrations:

At the top, an empty teal wheelchair beside a standing person wearing a lavender outfit.

In the middle, a person seated in a wheelchair with one leg raised in the air.

At the bottom, a wheelchair basketball player reaching toward an orange basketball.

The creator’s handle, “,” appears vertically in pink text along the left edge.

Three rounded text boxes with wavy borders provide information:

1. A green box states: “Wheelchair users who have the ability to walk are called ambulatory wheelchair users. 30–40% of all wheelchair users are ambulatory.”

2. A lavender box states: “Just because someone uses a wheelchair does not mean they are paralyzed. In fact, only 10–20% of wheelchair users have paralysis.”

3. A bright pink box states: “Reasons a person may use a wheelchair include not being able to walk, only being able to walk short distances, and to reduce pain and discomfort.”

07/27/2026

07/27/2026

We couldn't agree more! And they make fabulous organizational partners to boot! We love you Kansas City, Kansas Public Library and Lawrence Public Library! Thank you for keeping us cool!

Having just received last month's electric bill, I'm going to start making better use of my local public library's AC...

07/27/2026

Check out this Employment Resource Hub from the ADA National Network! What a fabulous resource for anyone exploring employment options, asking for accommodations, understanding your rights, preparing for transition from education to employment and so much more! If you have a disability and are employed, want to be employed or thinking about employment, you'll want to visit this site!

Did you know the ADA National Network has officially launched our Employment Resource Hub? This hub offers information about disabilities and the workplace at every stage of employment. This resource features new materials and centralizes fact sheets, FAQs materials, and tools with the National Network, making it easy to find answers to all of your questions about employment and the ADA. Explore our Employment Resource Hub today: https://adata.org/employment-resource-hub