Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas

04/17/2026

Have you heard?

Registration for the SACK 2026 Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference is open!

📅 June 19–21, 2026
📍 Manhattan, Kansas

This is YOUR conference, made by and for self-advocates across Kansas. More details are on the way.

Register at sackonline.org/conference



[Image description: GREEN Banner with text on left side: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 SACK CONFERENCE, on the right hand side is a half circle filled in with a tree with roots and leaves + text:
Self Advocate Coalition
of Kansas Let’s G.R.O.W
Growth
Rights
Opportunity
Work
SACK CONFERENCE 2026
Doubletree by Hilton, Manhattan, KS
June 19 – 21, 2026
sackonline.org/conference]

04/16/2026

This Autism Acceptance Month, we want to hear from YOU.

Self-advocates: What is one thing you wish more people understood about you?

There are no wrong answers. Your voice matters.



[Image description: light blue banner with washed out power fists behind the dark blue text (ALL CAPS) it that says TELL SACK What is one thing you wish more people understood about you? + the SACK logo at the bottom ]

04/16/2026

Next week! Join SACK and the Student Council for Exceptional Children for a fun night of bowling! 🎳 🙌

RSVP Here 👉 https://forms.gle/rCoasGNjrGUFRfyw5

[Image description: White flyer with text: STUDENT COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN + SELF-ADVOCACY COALITION OF KANSAS
BOWLING NIGHT
APRIL 22 - 5:00 P.M
ROYAL CREST LANES
933 10OWA STREET
LAWRENCE, KS 66044
Come early to enjoy some free food!
RSVP HERE + QR code]

04/11/2026

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DGSO) is hosting a social with SACK on April 28 from 5-7pm at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Come out and join us!

[Image description: Meet & Greet flyer with SACK logo, a clipart image of people with disabilities, and details about the evnet]

04/09/2026

Meet Philip McGruder, our Community Outreach Specialist and Self-Advocate Trainer!

Philip is the lead self-advocate on the Kansas City, Kansas/Wyandotte County SACK Chapter. Philip provides a lot of support to his fellow self-advocates. He’s SACK’s Hype Man and always a fierce advocate for human rights.

We are so glad he is part of the SACK team. Help us show him some love in the comments!

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic banner with red, yellow and blue butterflies behind a white box with text that says MEET THE SACK TEAM PHILIP
McGruder Community Outreach Specialist and Self-Advocate Trainer + the SACK logo and a photo of a black man, smiling, with a beard wearing a black hoodie and a blue t-shirt underneath]

04/09/2026

Join us for a fun night of bowling! 🎳 🙌

RSVP Here 👉 https://forms.gle/rCoasGNjrGUFRfyw5

[Image description: White flyer with text: STUDENT COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN + SELF-ADVOCACY COALITION OF KANSAS
BOWLING NIGHT
APRIL 22 - 5:00 P.M
ROYAL CREST LANES
933 10OWA STREET
LAWRENCE, KS 66044
Come early to enjoy some free food!
RSVP HERE + QR code]

04/07/2026

April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

People with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse than people without disabilities.

That is not okay. And it is not their fault.

Everyone deserves to feel safe… in their home, in their community, and everywhere they go.

For free and confidential 24/7 sexual & domestic violence support, call the Safeline Kansas helpline at 1-888-END-ABUSE (1-888-363-2287) or text SAFE to 84741.

If you are in immediate danger: call 911.



[Image description: Hands holding a smart phone + text: Sexual assault is never your fault. Purple rectangle with text: If you’ve experienced sexual assault or r**e, you are not alone. SafeLine Kansas is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Orange bar with text: 24/7 Domestic and Sexual Violence Support. Turquoise box with text: Text SAFE to 847411 or call 1-888-363-2287 SafeLineKansas.org]

04/06/2026

In case you missed it!

Registration for the 2026 SACK Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference is now open!!!

Don't miss the premiere self-advocacy event in Kansas! Register today at sackonline.org/conference

[Image description: GREEN Banner with text on left side: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 SACK CONFERENCE, on the right hand side is a half circle filled in with a tree with roots and leaves + text:
Self Advocate Coalition
of Kansas
Let’s G.R.O.W
Growth
Rights
Opportunity
Work
SACK CONFERENCE 2026
Doubletree by Hilton, Manhattan, KS
June 19 – 21, 2026]

04/03/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month 💙🌻

This month, we celebrate autistic people… their stories, their strengths, and their rights.

Acceptance means more than knowing autism exists. It means making sure autistic people are included, respected, and heard.

We're proud to stand with autistic self-advocates not just in April, but year-round.



[Image description: light blue banner with washed out power fists behind the SACK logo + dark blue text below it that says RECOGNIZES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH]

04/02/2026

BREAKING NEWS! Our conference registration is open!

We hope you’ll join us at the 2026 SACK Statewide Self-advocacy Conference.

Registration and scholarships applications close on June 1!

Find out more and register now at sackonline.org/conference



[Image description: GREEN Banner with text on left side: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 SACK CONFERENCE, on the right hand side is a half circle filled in with a tree with roots and leaves + text:
Self Advocate Coalition
of Kansas Let’s G.R.O.W
Growth
Rights
Opportunity
Work
SACK CONFERENCE 2026
Doubletree by Hilton, Manhattan, KS
June 19 – 21, 2026
sackonline.org/conference]

04/02/2026

Check this out! SACK was asked for their input on this program and we were happy to help! This is a completely voluntary program & SACK can definitely see the benefit! This helps keep our community and ourselves safer during interactions with law enforcement.

A simple “Blue Envelope” may be the answer to help first responders better serve people in Douglas County who may require a more tailored experience during an emergency – in everything from routine traffic stops to more critical incidents.
Not everyone responds the same in dealing with emergent and often stressful circumstances.
The new Blue Envelope program, introduced by an LKPD School Resource Officer, is now available throughout the county.
The envelope holds all the important documents needed during an interaction.
More importantly, it explains medical conditions for both the community member and the officer.
Click here for more information: https://tr.ee/7nPG8htMiL

03/31/2026

We saved the best (in our opinion) for last for the last day of Women's History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Let's celebrate Kathy Lobb!

Kathy retired from the SACK team in 2022 after a lifelong legacy of disability rights advocacy in Kansas. In 2024, the Kansas legislature passed Kathy's Bill (named after her!). The bill says that Kansans with disabilities will now have preferences in hiring, promotion and retention for state employment.



[Image description: multi-colored orange and red background with SACK Logo + text CELEBRATES WOMENS HISTORY MONTH + black and white photo of Kathy Lobb]