University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies

01/10/2026

Apply to work at an incredible Kansas CIL!

𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗗𝗗 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀

∙ Assist individuals in accessing services through the Home and Community Based IDD Waiver.

∙ Advocate for individuals on the IDD waiver.

∙ Arrange for the best available services in conjunction with a Person Centered Support Plan and the Independent Living Philosophy.

∙ Work collaboratively and act as the conduit for services.

𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆:
https://skilonline.com/job-listings/

01/08/2026

Join the Kansas Disability Caucus Board!

The Kansas Disability Caucus, Inc. is seeking board applicants! We look for people who are committed to working hard in both planning and the hands on work needed to ensure a successful Caucus. We …

01/08/2026

Community Webinar Alert!

Topic: An Advocate's Toolkit for Broad Medicaid Exemption Implementation

Date: Wednesday, January 14th
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm ET

Free to attend; registration is required

Link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NxB3C0y4Q32p-AmPr9oDIw #/registration

New Medicaid community engagement rules in federal law could seriously harm people who are medically fragile, even though the law says they should be exempt.

Experts from Justice In Aging will share a new toolkit to help advocates speak up now and throughout the rollout of these rules. The goal is to make sure states put safeguards in place to prevent people from losing coverage.

Zoom captioning is available for this event. If you require other accommodations to participate, please detail them in your registration. We will have the most success fulfilling your accommodation requests if they are submitted by January 7th.

01/07/2026

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program is one of Medicaid’s longest-running and most successful demonstrations, helping states transition individuals from nursing homes and other institutional settings back into the community. It also supports states in rebalancing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) by expanding access to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and improving community living outcomes.

Please join us for our Money Follows the Person (MFP) webinar where Natalie Kean, Henry Claypool, Julie Cope, and Wayne Somes will highlight the history of the program, State snap shots, and Tribal MFP Initiatives. Additional speaker details are available on the registration page.

Read their bios and register on Zoom: https://zurl.co/azmzC

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Image Description: Webinar flyer on a blue background titled Money Follows the Person and LTSS Rebalancing Opportunities for States featuring speakers Wayne Somes Natalie Kean Henry Claypool and Julie Cope. The event will be held on Thursday January 29 at 2 PM ET via Zoom. The flyer includes the Lurie Institute and Community Living Policy Center logos speaker photos and icons indicating sign language interpretation and closed captioning.

Medicare DisabilityHealthCare HCBS LTSS

01/05/2026

As federal officials begin to outline more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules, worries are running high about what the changes will mean for people with disabilities.

01/02/2026

The disability justice icon's last message: "Don't let the bastards grind you down."

12/31/2025

Access to accounts that allow individuals with disabilities to save without losing government benefits will expand dramatically and people with the accounts will be able to save more than ever before.

12/31/2025

AGENCY: National Council on Disability (NCD). ACTION: Notice; request for information. SUMMARY: NCD is requesting information to help inform a policy brief it will be publishing concerning the need for disability clinical care and competency training of medical professionals. DATES: Electronic comme...

12/30/2025

We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Kafka.

Rest in power Bob.

Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.

12/26/2025

AN NPR survey finds that people with disability still find hotels unaccommodating, even 35 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

12/23/2025

Celebrating Martha Gabehart!

This year we announced our first ever Martha K Gabehart Lifetime Achievement Award. The Martha K. Gabehart Lifetime Achievement Award honors a Kansan whose lifelong commitment and leadership have significantly advanced the rights, opportunities, and inclusion of people with disabilities in Kansas.

She dedicated herself to improving the disability community for over 30 years. Serving multiple administrations she created the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KSYLF), established Disability Mentoring Day, developed the statewide Disability Support Maps, and much more!

12/23/2025

Health equity becomes more possible when every person with a disability can access the supports and services they need to live a full life. Through legal and policy approaches, US public health institutions are helping to improve the systems and environments that affect health day to day for people....