Beyond Barriers

02/18/2026

One of our independent living specialists recently shared this success story with us, and we had to pass it along! THIS is why we do what we do. 😊​
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"I have a consumer that has been receiving services from us since 2023. She was referred to us from another agency and was in a domestic situation where she was afraid to leave her house. ​
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With time and coaching, she was able to go out in the public with no hesitation. She started to work and pay off her court fines. She had no heat source the last few years, and we found an organization generous enough to fix her heating source.​​

She was able to get custody of her two boys back following the drug court program. She has a part-time job and is working with Vocational Rehab to find better employment opportunities!"​
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Even if someone is already receiving services from another agency (or several), Beyond Barriers can help! We work alongside people with disabilities to help them connect the dots of care and forge a better path ahead. ​
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Want to learn more about our services?​
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🔗 Check out https://www.beyondbarriersks.com/. ​
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(Image is a black square with the Beyond Barriers logo, and text that reads: Success Story, At Beyond Barriers, we help you live as independently as possible through training, education, advocacy and support.)

02/17/2026

Good nutrition is important for young children to grow healthy and strong.
If you have a picky eater at home, it can be hard to encourage eating healthy foods. 🍎🥕 Here are some tips to help your picky eater try new foods.

Follow these tips to help children who are picky eaters try new foods.

02/10/2026

Wondering if you qualify for Beyond Barriers services? The short answer is...YES!​
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Individuals qualify for our services based on self-identified disability and functional barriers, even without a formal government determination.​
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That means, if you walk through our doors (or roll, or call, or email), and tell us you have a disability, you're in! That's ONE LESS BARRIER for you to overcome to access services. ​
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Maybe that looks like:​
✅ Mental illness (depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, etc.)​
✅ Arthritis​
✅ Diabetes​
✅ Vision loss or low vision​
✅ Hearing impairment​
✅ Autoimmune conditions (Crohn's, colitis, Celiac, POTS, etc.) ​
✅ And much more! ​

🔗 Ready to learn more? Go to https://www.beyondbarriersks.com/ or​
call 888.715.6818. ​
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(Image is a man with glasses and a tan jacket looking directly at the camera, arms crossed, with a smile on his face. Text reads: YES! You qualify for Beyond Barriers services with self-identified disability and functional barriers, even without a formal government determination.)

02/05/2026

DYK regular physical activity can reduce your chances of developing eight commonly occurring cancers? On World Cancer Day, learn more about what you can do to lower your cancer risk: https://bit.ly/4qdwze1

Regular physical activity lowers your risk of eight common cancers.

02/04/2026

In 2025, Beyond Barriers helped 770 Kansans with disabilities take real steps toward independence.​
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Here’s what that looked like:​
✔️ 3,744 services requested and received​
✔️ 641 consumer goals achieved​
✔️ 60 counties served across Kansas​
✔️ All services provided free of charge​
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From housing and employment to advocacy and independent living skills, our work is driven by real needs — and real results.​

🔗 Learn more or access services at BeyondBarriersKS.com​
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(Image is a black square with yellow accents, and text that reads: 3,744, That's how many services we provided in 2025 to 770 consumers!)

02/02/2026

Heather, Anthony and Erica are at the State House in Topeka today, in celebration of and advocacy for, Independent Living Day!

(Left to right, Heather Jones, a woman with shoulder length dark hair and a burgundy cardigan, Anthony Frischenmeyer, a man with short dark hair, goatee and glasses, and Erica Rivera, a woman with shoulder length dark hair, and white sweater with black flowers on it. They’re standing in the rotunda area of the state house building, which is ornate with many historical murals painted on the walls.)

01/29/2026

Returning to work from maternity leave and wondering how to continue breastfeeding? Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for that transition:

Learn more about returning to work and breastfeeding.

01/26/2026

A familiar face in Dodge City, Service Coordinator Phil Handsaker assists people with disabilities in addressing the things that matter most to them—whatever those may be. 😊​

To support this, he engages with the broader community to share information about the resources and services available through our organization.​

"What I enjoy most is making a difference and encouraging people to be the best version of themselves."​
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➡ Learn more about Beyond Barriers here: https://www.beyondbarriersks.com/​
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(Image is Phil a man wearing a dark brown hat and brown coat. The words beside him read: "What I enjoy most is making a difference and encouraging people to be the best version of themselves. Below him is a black graphic with the Beyond Barrier logo on top of it.)

01/23/2026

⚠️ Weather Closure Notice ⚠️

Due to inclement weather being forecasted, Beyond Barriers will be closing today at 12:00 PM.

We plan to reopen Monday at 8:00 AM, weather permitting. Please stay safe and warm. 🤍

If you or someone you know needs a warm place, the Salvation Army of Reno County will be offering warming stations:
🕗 Mon–Sat: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🕗 Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Take care, everyone!

"Scripture directs us to do more than wishing someone to be warm and well fed, it asks us to do something about it when we are able to do so.” - Major Paul James.

Our doors will be open during the cold weather to provide a safe and warm resource. Please do not get out in the expected weather conditions unless it is absolutely necessary.

We will have hot chocolate and coffee each day.

This would not be possible without the donations we receive each year. There is $61,697 left of The Salvation Army's $300,000 goal. Please reach out for more information on how to make a donation.

01/20/2026

Employment Specialist Caren Kerr in our Pratt office is proud to serve in our Older Kansans Employment Program (OKEP) role. 😍​

She loves meeting and speaking with consumers and assisting them in finding employment opportunities.​
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"They often express their appreciation for Beyond Barriers and the OKEP program. I look forward to coming to work each day, not only because of the rewarding work but also because of the supportive and pleasant coworkers. It’s truly an honor to be part of a program that serves individuals aged 55 and older." ​
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➡ Learn more about Beyond Barriers here: https://www.beyondbarriersks.com/​
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(Image is Caren, a woman with short, dark hair wearing a blue shirt. The words beside her read: "I look forward to coming to work each day, not only because of the rewarding work but also because of the supportive and pleasant coworkers." Below her is a black graphic with the Beyond Barrier logo on top of it.)

01/12/2026

Meet Information and Referral Specialist Tracy Speice, who works in our Hutchinson office. 👋​
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Tracy serves as the first point of contact for consumers—whether they walk in or call our office. She assists with a variety of tasks, supporting the loan closet program, and helping ensure that every person who reaches out to us is connected with the resources they need.​
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"What I love most about my role is the people we help. No two days are ever the same, and I find it deeply rewarding to be part of the positive impact we make in our community. After being out on medical leave, it meant so much to return and be welcomed back so warmly—many of the consumers expressed how glad they were to see me again, which truly reminded me of the connections we build through our work."​
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➡ Learn more about Beyond Barriers here: https://www.beyondbarriersks.com/​
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(Image is Tracy, a woman with short, gray hair wearing a black Beyond Barriers t-shirt. The words beside her read: "What I love most about my role is the people we help. No two days are ever the same, and I find it deeply rewarding to be part of the positive impact we make in our community." Below her is a black graphic with the Beyond Barrier logo on top of it.)

01/05/2026

Whether it’s a brisk walk 🚶🏽‍♀️, a yoga session 🧘🏽‍♂️, or even some indoor activities 🏊🏽‍♀️, staying physically active keeps us energized all winter long! Here are more ways to stay active this winter: https://bit.ly/3SEYwwr

Don't let colder temperatures and fewer daylight hours keep you from being physically active.