Independence, Inc.

12/12/2025

I love everything about this.

12/12/2025

Autistic children are more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Researchers at LASR at KU: Laboratory of Affective Sensory Research are working to better understand why.

Their research could help improve understanding of the GI issues autistic youth experience, the connection between brain and gut, and potential treatment.

Learn about options for participating in the study at https://loom.ly/lb_0c-s

12/12/2025

This is a perfect example of why partnership matters and how collaboration is formed. Organizations working together, thinking outside the box and utilizing volunteer skill sets in a unique way, and asking the community to join in by following the journey and learning about disability needs along the way. This made our morining here at Independence, Inc.

Something very exciting will soon be coming to the Watkins! Her name is Runner, and she's an 8-week-old future service dog puppy that will be co-raised by volunteer Doug Tyler. Runner is a puppy from Canine Companions, the largest service dog organization in the country. Through our social media you'll be able to follow the life of raising, training and socializing of this future service dog!

Throughout the years, the Watkins has given Doug the opportunity to bring future service dogs in training with him for his shifts at the museum. This allows the dogs to be exposed to a variety of new experiences before going off to "puppy college" to eventually be paired with a person in need of services. Opportunities like this are vital for the dogs to have the best shot possible at success.

While Runner won't yet be joining Doug during his Friday afternoon volunteer shifts, we will be sharing regular pupdates on our socials. Be on the lookout for our new segments of "The Puppy Diaries: Raising Runner." Our next post will give the backstory of how Runner got her name!

12/11/2025

It's office Holiday Party Day! Happy Holidays from the KC office, from our crew to yours! Bloopers are the best!

12/10/2025

December 10 is Human Rights Day, dedicated to recognizing the universal rights we all have simply by being human, such as the rights to food, protection, and a secure place to live.

Today, we want to highlight the rights of people with disabilities, which are often overlooked during times of crisis, such as disasters. While emergencies and other crisis situations often involve difficult decisions, prioritization, and sacrifices, the rights and lives of people with disabilities should never be one of them.

The World Institute on Disability (WID) provides a comprehensive review of the rights of people with disabilities during times of crisis, both at the national and global levels: bit.ly/disability-disasters.

12/10/2025

Knowing disability history is an important way to inform and shape disability present and future!

DID YOU KNOW? Braille

Did you know Braille was invented by a 15-year-old?

Louis Braille, blinded as a child, created the tactile system in 1824.

Using raised dots in a six-cell matrix, Braille represents letters, numbers, punctuation-even music. For the first time, blind people could read and write independently.

Fun Fact: Average Braille speed is 125 words per minute, but skilled readers hit 200 words per minute!

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Virginia Department of Education - VDOE

12/10/2025

A huge thank you to John Sayler and the Sons of the American Revolution - Charles Robinson Chapter for donating to organization! This funding will support Veterans who need transportation to the Topeka VA for services. We are grateful for the chance to serve our verants in this way!


ID: image is a photo of three people posed in front of a colorful painting, smiling at the camera

12/10/2025

Thank you once again City of Lawrence, Kansas - Municipal Government for awarding us this funding that provides people with disabilities already living in affordable housing, the opportunity to make accessibility modifications, allowing them to maintain independence in their current homes.

The City of Lawrence is allocating Affordable Housing Trust Fund awards to nine projects as part of the 2026 grant cycle. The total awards for 2026 will be $1,200,000. The Lawrence City ... Read More

12/09/2025

Did you know that Independence, Inc. hosts some fabulous Peer Groups each week? Most are available to attend in-person at our Lawrence office, or virtually from any of our service area counties: Douglas, Jefferson, Franklin, Wyandotte and Johnson.
If connecting with others in a casual, inclusive, fun and meaningful space sounds good to you, check out what we have to offer by following this link to our website:
https://independenceinc.org/peer-counseling-and-support/

Contact: Grace Starr, Independent Living Skills/Peer Support Specialist gstarr@independenceinc.org | 841-0333 ext. 106 Peer Groups – Browse our selection of current Peer Group Activities HERE Our Peer Groups are formed to support independent living, healthy lifestyles and social/peer interaction w...

12/08/2025

12/05/2025

It's the season of giving, sharing, helping and serving and we're inviting YOU to help us, help our communitie!
Our staff work daily within our communities, in our offices, at events and in consumer homes to ensure equity, inclusion and accessibility for all.

Will you join us in supporting the disability community with a gift of any amount? You can donate now at the link below or mail a check to:
Independence, Inc.
2001 Haskell Ave.
Lawrence, KS 66046.

Questions about our work, our programs and our services? Give us a call at 785-841-0333. Or better yet, come to our office for a visit and a tour and learn firsthand what we do, how we do it and why we do it! You can also send us a message and we'll get back with you during business hours.

Thank you and happy to holidays to you and yours!


ID: An infographic with a pale green background and various pictures of people with all types of disabilities in various settings, including a classroom, a sports field, a city street and a veranda. Text reads: 'Tis the season of giving. Your gift of any amoung will help support in-school training and support; post-secondary youth transition; limb-loss support; independent living skills training, employment and housing services, and so much more!

12/05/2025

Please note our holiday season hours:
Closed December 11 at 12:00
Closed Thursday and Friday December 25-26
Closed January 1st
Closed January 19

Thank you and we wish you all a wonderful holiday season!


ID: Infographic with shades of green, stars and snowflakes. Text indicates dates closed as described in the post above.