Disability Rights Center of Kansas

03/31/2026

Thank you to the Kansas Bar Association and the IOLTA Committee!

Congratulations to the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, Inc. (DRC).

The Kansas Bar Foundation awarded DRC with a $26,000 Interest on Lawyer Checking Account grant. The grant will provide for expanding their reach for unmet civil legal needs of clients, including but not limited to victims of crime, housing, landlord tenant, debtor creditor, consumer protection, elder law, and administrative and family law. Visit www.drckansas.org

Pictured: Sabrina Thompson, KBA/KBF Executive Director and Rocky Nichols, Disability Rights Center of Kansas, Inc., Executive Director, celebrate the IOLTA grant funds that will expand their services.

03/26/2026

Assistive technology can make independence possible.

Through our Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) program, DRC helps Kansans with disabilities understand their rights and get the assistive technology they need for work, school, and daily life.

If you’re having trouble accessing assistive technology or accommodations, our team may be able to help!

Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.

03/24/2026

We have a resource with information about navigating Medicaid grievances and appeals. Check it out to learn:
- How to file a grievance or appeal
- Important deadlines
- Your rights during the process
- And more!

🌐: https://tinyurl.com/3vb648v7

Have a question about your situation or need help? Reach out! Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.

03/19/2026

🚨 FINAL PUSH FOR Supported Decision-Making Bill 🚨

Kansas is one step away from passing the Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act (HB 2609) — but time is running out.

HB 2609 creates a clear legal framework for supported decision-making, a less-restrictive alternative to guardianship that allows adults with disabilities to keep their rights while receiving support. HB 2609 is complementary to the current guardianship law, which was updated last year.

Everything now comes down to one step:
The bill must be included in a Judiciary Conference Committee report to pass into law. The deadline is Friday, March 27. If it’s not included, the bill is dead for the year. We will have to start over!

In under a minute, you can take action now and urge your legislators to include HB 2609 in a Conference Committee report and to have Kansas join the majority of states that have passed supported decision-making laws! https://www.votervoice.net/DRCKansas/Campaigns/134913/Respond

We are incredibly close. Let’s get this across the finish line!

The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act (HB 2609) is closer than ever to becoming law, but we need your help to get it across the finish line!  The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act passed the Kansas House with unanimous...

03/17/2026

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can change many parts of daily life, from work and school to housing, services, and benefits. DRC Kansas helps people living with TBIs understand their rights and advocate for the supports they need. Our Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit (DACVU) can help people living with TBIs who have been the victim of a crime.

Have a question or need help? Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.

03/12/2026

There was a time when many people with developmental disabilities were hidden, segregated, or excluded from community life.

History matters.

Not for nostalgia — for understanding.

03/12/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM)!

Attorneys and advocates at DRC Kansas are proud to work every day to protect and advocate for the rights of Kansans with developmental disabilities. We do things like fight illegal discrimination, ensure people can live independently in the community of their choice, and work to get people access to basic life necessities like healthcare, housing, employment, education, and more.

Need help? Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.

Stock photo used in this graphic is courtesy of Disability:IN, featuring model Zinyra, who has a developmental disability.

03/09/2026

Do you have a child with a disability who is being bullied in school?

We have a resource with information on bullying, including steps to stop or prevent it, what to do if bullying continues after those steps, and accommodations you can request in an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or 504 Plan to prevent bullying. Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/4p4srhjt

DRC’s Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit (DACVU) team can assist with special education and bullying issues. If you have questions about your rights or need assistance with a bullying situation, contact us: https://www.drckansas.org/get-help

03/04/2026

Let Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities know what you think! 📝 Take their survey at https://bit.ly/KCDD5yrPlan

🚨 Your Voice Matters! 🚨

We are updating our 5-Year State Plan — and we need YOUR input.

The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) is beginning the process of developing our next Five-Year State Plan, and we cannot do this without you. Our advocacy guides our work and this guide helps decide what issues we focus on, what changes we push for, and how we support people with disabilities across Kansas.

This is your chance to make a big impact.
We want to know:
What needs to change?
What is working well?

What should we focus on next?
If you are a:
• Self-advocate
• Family member
• Service provider
• Community member

Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.

📝 Take the survey at https://bit.ly/KCDD5yrPlan

When you speak up, change happens. Nothing about us without us. 💬✨

[Image Description: Field of sunflowers with a path through it with text overlay that reads Your ideas can influence the path we take. Share your feedback to help KCDD create its 5-year plan. Survey Link: https://bit.ly/KCDD5yrPlan]

03/04/2026

Speak up for self-determination!

The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act (HB 2609) recently passed the Kansas House of Representatives 122-0 and is now headed to the Senate.

This bill creates a clear legal option for adults with disabilities to get decision-making support without losing their rights, offering a less restrictive alternative to guardianship.

More than half of the states in the U.S. already have supported decision-making agreement laws. Kansas families deserve the same person-centered option.

📢Tell your State Senator to support HB 2609. It takes less than a minute to enter your info and send a message to YOUR Senator: https://www.votervoice.net/DRCKansas/Campaigns/134913/Respond

03/03/2026

Applications for the 2026 season of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) are due at the end of this month.

If eligible, LIEAP provides a one-time per year benefit to help you pay for a portion of your home heating costs including:
🔌Electricity
🔥Propane
⛽Gas
⚡Other home heating fuels

Learn more, find an application event near you or apply online at LIEAP.dcf.ks.gov.

Applications for LIEAP must be received by DCF by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2026.

02/25/2026

Have you ever had a service denied by your Managed Care Organization (MCO) doctor, saying it is not “medically necessary”? We have a resource with information on the “medically necessary” standard and tips for working with your doctor to get the services you need approved!

Check it out: tinyurl.com/53zraanf

Have a question about your rights or need help? Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.