Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas - SILCK

Home
United States
Topeka, KS
Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas - SILCK

The SILCK is established to develop, monitor, and evaluate the state plan for independent living (SPIL) Segregation by disability status is not acceptable.

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas is established to develop and monitor the state plan for independent living (SPIL) jointly with the Kansas Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Social and Rehabilitation Services. Mandated under the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1992, the SILCK has chosen by the State of Kansas to incorporate as a non-profit organization and its board of directors are appointed by the governor of Kansas. In all other respects, the SILCK is an independent, non-profit corporation. The SILCK is governed by federal, state and local laws, its own charter (articles of incorporation), bylaws, and these policies. The SILCK also adheres to the "independent living philosophy" which is a set of values, principles and beliefs related to people with disabilities and their rights to live independently in the communities of their choice. The independent living philosophy incorporates the following principles:

People with disabilities must have choice over acceptable options for living independently in the communities of their choice. Acceptable options include accessible and affordable housing, accessible and adequate transportation, access to public participation in community life (architectural, physical, communication, social), and adequate support services to enable an individual to do or accomplish what non-disabled people do or accomplish. People with disabilities are a minority group deserving of equal protection under the law. Specifically, people with disabilities shall not be discriminated against in employment, housing, education, public services, public and private accommodations open to the public, transportation and travel, and communication. The laws protecting people with disabilities include the Civil Rights Acts, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carriers Access Act, and the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1992. People with disabilities have the right to live in the homes and communities of their choice. People with disabilities should not be institutionalized in a public facility, private facility or within their families' homes simply because they have disabilities. People with disabilities deserve equal access to and inclusion in public education programs, places of employment, health services, training and vocational programs, and any other service offered to the public at large. People with disabilities know their own needs best. Self-help and peer role modeling through peer counseling and peer advocacy are the best methods for facilitating the independence of people with disabilities. People with disabilities need support services from a variety of sources in order to live independently in the communities of their choice. Such services include assistive technology, equipment, personal assistance, and financial aid. These services should be provided to individuals with disabilities based upon humane principles of facilitating an individual's independence by eliminating or reducing the effects of the barriers in society and environments -- not based upon medical diagnosis, personal characteristics, or the belief that the individual must be "fixed" to fit into society. The SILCK follows these principles in its behavior and practice as a statewide independent living council.

04/07/2025

Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) Announces
Malinda Barnett as its New Executive Director
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) is thrilled to announce the hiring of Malinda
Barnett as its new Executive Director. With a deep commitment to independent living advocacy and a
wealth of experience in disability rights, Malinda is poised to lead SILCK into a new era of empowerment,
accessibility, and progress for the disability community across Kansas.
"The SILCK Board is excited and looking forward to working with Malinda. Her enthusiasm, work
experience, and knowledge of the independent living philosophy will be an asset for Kansans with
disabilities and SILCK.” - SILCK Chair, Brian Ellefson
Malinda brings extensive experience in disability advocacy, community outreach, and leadership. As a
person with a disability, her journey has fueled her passion for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion,
accessibility, and belonging. She has worked at a Center for Independent Living (CIL), served on the Board
of Directors for another CIL, and has successfully developed programs that address service gaps for
marginalized communities. Most recently, as Community Outreach Manager at Eitas in Kansas City, MO,
she has led initiatives that connect individuals with essential resources and support services. Her expertise
in strategic planning, advocacy, and program development will be invaluable in advancing the SILCK vision
and mission.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the position of Executive Director of SILCK! Having a
disability myself, I’ve found very personal reward in the variety of positions I’ve held over the years in
supporting people with disabilities - very much including independent living. The field of independent living
is so very empowering for people with disabilities, and I’m excited to advocate on a state level, working to
make an impact in the lives of Kansas residents with disabilities.” – Malinda Barnett, New SILCK Executive
Director
As SILCK Executive Director, Malinda will oversee statewide independent living initiatives, collaborate with
key stakeholders, and champion policies that enhance the lives of Kansans with disabilities. SILCK is
excited to welcome her leadership and looks forward to the positive impact she will bring.
Malinda Barnett begins with SILCK on Monday - April 14, 2025, and can be reached at: Director@SILCK.org

Send a message to learn more

12/06/2024

SILCK is looking for an Executive Director! Check out the job announcement at

Welcome to SILCK Sunflower photo by Ken Slade SILCK Executive Director Job Posting SILCK Executive Director Job Posting & Announcement SILCK Executive Director Job Description APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 8, 2025! SILCK VISION Kansas is an inclusive community where all citizens live inde...

09/03/2024

The SILC of Kansas will have a Special Board meeting on Friday September 6th at 10am via zoom. For the link, questions or accommodations please email Kathy.Cooper@silck.org asap.

06/18/2024

Special meeting of the SILCK today at 12pm. Zoom. For questions or the zoom link email Kathy.cooper@silck.org

06/17/2024

PLEASE SHARE!
Are you a Kansans living with a disability or chronic health condition? Want to learn more about services and supports available to you? Take a brief survey about your needs and find out about services in your area. Visit this link: https://bit.ly/kudisability

This project is being conducted by the University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies and the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas - SILCK. For more information please email healthsurvey@ku.edu or call/text (785) 813-2669.

[image descriptions: photo of white man wheeling onto a bus; photo of three dark-skinned women talking, one has pink hair and is using a cane, one is sitting in a wheelchair and the other is leaning against a wall; KU Jayhawk logo; SILCK sunflower logo]

Are you a Kansan living with a disability or chronic health condition? Want to learn more about services and supports available to you? Take a brief survey about your needs and find out about services in your area. Visit this link: https://bit.ly/kudisability

This project is being conducted by the University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies and the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK).

[image descriptions: photo of white man wheeling onto a bus; photo of three dark-skinned women talking, one has pink hair and is using a cane, one is sitting in a wheelchair and the other is leaning against a wall; KU Jayhawk logo; SILCK sunflower logo]

05/30/2024

Special Meeting of the SILCK Board
June 6th, 2pm Central via zoom
contact kathy.cooper@silck.org for zoom link or info.

02/22/2024

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas has the FFY25 to FFY27 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) draft out for public comment at https://silck.org/
until March 23, 2024. All comments and questions go to Kathy.Cooper@SILCK.org. Please put "Comments on Draft SPIL" in the subject line of the email.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 704 (a)(5):
The State plan shall describe strategies for providing independent living services on a statewide basis, to the greatest extent possible.

Please share with your communities and stakeholders.

Welcome to SILCK Sunflower photo by Ken Slade SILCK VISION Kansas is an inclusive community where all citizens live independently and thrive. SILCK MISSION Promoting integration and full inclusion of Kansans with disabilities into the mainstream of society. ____________ The Public Comment Period is....

10/17/2023

https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/16/monster-under-my-bed-disabled-kansans-wait-years-for-help-with-the-future-uncertain/

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to receive assistance wait years for state help.

09/14/2023

Check out the SOAR Conference!

SOAR Conference 2023 What is SOAR? SOAR stands for Seeking Opportunities for an Advocacy Revolution and is supported by the Heartland Self-Advocacy Network. The purpose of the SOAR Conference is to bring together self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities from around the Mid-Wes...

08/23/2023

Check out this great housing resource from the SPIL Housing workgroup!!

Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing

07/26/2023

Check out this fantastic Mecca of disability and community supports!

Located in Topeka, KS, the Lois Curtis Campus is a physical and virtual hub for services, supports, and guidance that centers individuals with disabilities that experience marginalization within the disability community, including people of color, people who are homeless, people who are system involved, people who are not enrolled in Home and Community Based Services, and people who do not identify as having a disability but may experience a disability that is either not detected or not apparent.

Our efforts are inspired by the artist Lois Curtis, a Black woman with multiple disabilities who, after spending nearly twenty years in incarcerated and institutional settings, singlehandedly spearheaded efforts that led to the US Supreme Court's passage of the Olmstead Decision in 1999. Regarded by many as the "Brown vs Board of Education" for the disability community, the Olmstead Decision affirms that people with disabilities have the right to live independently. However, Lois continued to experience institutionalization as a result of systemic racism within the disability community that created barriers to her accessing community based services and supports. It wasn't until nearly ten years after Olmstead that she was able to create her own support network and move into her own apartment.

She died on November 3rd, 2022 but her legacy lives on at the Lois Curtis Campus, where we are committed to bridging the gaps that Lois and countless other multiply-marginalized people with disabilities experience in the US.

Lois Curtis Campus is disabled/Brown/Black/woman/LGBTQ/direct support professional led.

Lois Curtis Campus is solar powered.

Image is a self portrait by Lois Curtis

07/17/2023

It is with great sadness that we share that former SILCK Board member Matt Enyart passed last Thursday July 13th. Matt was a formidable disability and equal rights advocate, he changed the lives of so many youth in Kansas and the hole he leaves will be huge. He was an incredible board member, activist and a good friend. RIP brother.

Address

420 Southeast 6th Avenue
Topeka, KS
66607

Telephone

+17852346990

Website

http://www.silck.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas - SILCK posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Topeka?