Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns

06/16/2026

📣🗣️ If you would like to input feedback about accessing transportation, click the link below! This is a great way to get YOUR voice heard!

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/04/2026-11220/request-for-information-on-family-friendly-transit?fbclid=IwdGRleASefBtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe-UVRHtm0abr-zErVpJml-cc9T4ZhoMUHoA-7ULS1tNSw52k22g5NBmlldiE_aem_tmuS9eI4gR-tAPMB854DyA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking input from the transit industry and the public about how to evaluate public transportation service quality across five areas: safety and security, cleanliness, universal accessibility, real time service data availability, and system reliability. FTA will use this information to develop tools to help the public, transit agencies, and all levels of government assess the quality of public transportation service in their communities more directly and identify actions necessary to improve family-friendly service.

Be sure to offer your input about accessibility of public transportation service by August 3, 2026!

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/04/2026-11220/request-for-information-on-family-friendly-transit

06/16/2026

This is happening tomorrow!!

Attend a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) online webinar to learn about the Ticket to Work program or Work Incentives.

06/16/2026

The Kansas Employment First team joined APSE for their 2026 National Conference and presented about our work! We highlighted the history, success, and ongoing opportunities of Phases 1 and 2 of the Kansas Employment First Pilot Project.

The team appreciated the opportunity to discuss the project and hear from other states about their experiences and celebrations building capacity for competitive integrated employment for all people with disabilities!

KUCD staff - Dr. Evan Dean, Doug Berryman, Sean Tyree, and Dr. Hannah Seward; Wise associate, Robyn Slocom; and KDADS Assistant Commissioner, Seth Kilber - presented alongside special guest Craig Knutson, Executive Director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, to a room of vibrant attendees.

Learn more and find resources at kucd.ku.edu/kansas-employment-first

Thank you to our partners at Wise, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, and Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns!

06/15/2026

KDADS has the following policies currently open for public comment until Wednesday, July 1st, 2026:

Brain Injury (BI) Waiver Eligibility and Waitlist Management Policy
Frail and Elderly (FE) Waiver Eligibility Policy
Frail and Elderly (FE ) Waiver Crisis Exception Policy
Physical Disability (PD) Waiver Eligibility Policy
Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Waiver Eligibility Policy

This is a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and help shape our long-term services and supports policies.

You can proposed policies and leave comments at the following website:

This is a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and help shape our long-term services and supports policies.

06/11/2026

Advocacy works. Thank you to AG Kobach for listening to the concerns of Kansans with disabilities and withdrawing from the Texas v Kennedy case. Here's hoping other states follow the lead of Kansas and AG Kobach.

Thank you, Attorney General Kris Kobach, for withdrawing Kansas from the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit and for listening to the concerns of Kansans with disabilities and their families.

Twenty-two Kansas senior and disability organizations joined together to explain why this litigation poses a threat to disability rights and community inclusion. We appreciate the Attorney General's decision to hear those concerns and take action, and we encourage the remaining states involved in the litigation to follow Kansas' example.

Read the coalition letter here: https://tinyurl.com/4xmnv2c4

06/11/2026

Wrapping up the final day of the 2026 APSE conference! We are glad to have collaborated with great minds across the nation who came together with one common goal of competitive integrated employment! 🤝

Here are some action pictures of Craig Knutson, and Ron Lucey, the Executive Director of the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, together yesterday. 🙌

06/09/2026

The APSE 2026 National Conference has commenced! Craig is alongside fellow Kansans representing our great state!

The KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities team presented on the Kansas Employment First Pilot Phase 2 and their roadmap to employment success!

06/09/2026

We are rooting for Phase Two and its success!

KU researchers have been partnering with the state to expand access to competitive, integrated employment for with with impressive early results.

The initial goal in the pilot phase was to connect 20 people to jobs within a year. Instead, nearly 200 people were employed with an average hourly wage of $13.76. "We were blown away," said Evan Dean, KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities associate director.

Moving into Phase II, researchers hope to scale up their efforts to help even more Kansans with find competitive integrated employment.

Read the full story: https://loom.ly/bPtjM9A