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A Short History

• Organization incorporated as Independence, Inc.

• Grant was awarded for the period of September 1, '79 - August 31, '80. Seven staff positions included in the Innovation and Expansion grant: Project Director, Community Worker, Attendant Homemaker Counselor, Housing Adaptation Specialist, Counselor, Bookkeeper / Resource Librarian, Clerk / Typist.

• Staff hired; Lenore Talliaferro became Director.
• The Sunflower Benefit Horse Show donated $2500 to Independence, Inc.

• Office established at 937 Kentucky just north of Douglas County State Bank (the building was rented from the bank for $1,000 per month).

• Declared "Independence, Inc. Week" by the Lawrence City Commission
• Gov. John Carlin attended agency open house

• The Center's first new van ordered and funded through KRS                (cost: $29,018)

• Applied for and awarded Title VII, Part B grant

• First Consumer Needs Assessment

• better PCA program (state or federal funding)
• improved vocational
• public transportation
• transitional living program
• residential units
• recreational services
• more library materials

• Passage of Mil Levy Bill
• Apple Grant awarded
• Voter Registration Outpost started
• CDBG grant for computer training
• Able-Disabled Road Races
• Incorporated ARO for HUD 202 loan

• Named one of the nation's five outstanding CIL'S
• Produced award-winning video "One in Eight"

• Microcomputer Applications Project awarded demonstration grant
• Center staff helped form KACIL

• Awarded the HUD 202 Loan to build 20 ARO units
• Awarded CDBG funds to bring the Life Safety System to Lawrence

• Offices moved to 1910 Haskell Avenue
• Successfully advocated for the new Holcom Recreation Center to be barrier-free

• ARO units completed
• Community Access Awards program begun
• Douglas County Resource Guide published

• Helped establish Health Care Access
• CDBG funds first awarded for the Accessible Housing Program

• Self-directed attendant care program (PASS/PMS) established, after strong legislative advocacy efforts
• Agreement between the Computer Learning Center and Allen Press to hire CLC graduates
• Precedent-setting case to obtain Medicaid payment for the drug Clozaril
• ADA Advocacy efforts.
• Center staff raise $1800 "seed money" for the Ryan Gray Playground for All Children a benefit garage sale.

• Title I grant written and approved; funding awarded October 1, '91.
• ADA Technical Assistance becomes a major service.

1992

• Independent Living Skills Program becomes separate department

• Roger Williams Community Access Award Established

• ADA Business of the Month Award program initiated with Full Citizenship, Inc.

• Provided technical assistance to the City of Lawrence for its ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan

• Staff representation on the KS Human Rights Commission and the KS Commission for Disability Concerns

• Human Diversity Task Force formed

• Became a United Way Agency

• Received DREDF certification for ADA Training.

• CLC'obtained Braille printer for consumer and community use.

• First VISTA Project

• Assistive Technology Access Site
• Transportation Department moves to Douglas County Senior Services
• AxS ADA with Full Citizenship
• Completed Long Range Plan
• VISTAs
• Peer Counseling Program Enhancement

• VISTAs
• Assistive Technology VR Grant
• Families Together Transition Grant
• University of New Orleans Collaborative Transition Teams Project
• Members, Kansas Transition Network Regional Training Team

• Begin Building Program
• SILCK Advisory Grant
• Home of Your Own (HOYO) program
• VISTAs

• PD Waiver Administration Implemented
• Paratransit Total Coordination
• PASS Department expanded
• Computer Give-Away Program began

• Offices moved to completed new building at 2001 Haskell Avenue
• Began rural outreach and grass-roots advocacy project
• Cooking Club and Music appreciation Group formed

• Awarded SILCK three-year grassroots advocacy grant to extend outreach into
  rural areas.
• Awarded Community Development Block Grant funds for HOYO first-time
  homebuyers program.
• Organized student leadership transition groups in Lawrence high schools.
• Consumers served surpasses 4000

2000

• Initiated collaboration with YouthFriends mentoring program.
• Became Kansas Accessibility Modifications \ Program (KAMP) provider.
• Reestablished Computer Learning Center Business Advisory Council.
• Retired mortgage on building.
• Became Lawrence Public Schools Business Partner with East Heights
  Elementary School.

2001

• Computer Learning Center begins vocational training programs.
• Independence, Inc. organizes local host committee for National Disability
  Mentoring Day/Lawrence.

2003

• Business partner with Kennedy Elementary School.
• Agency celebrates 25 years.

Roster of Executive Directors