Independence, Inc.

01/05/2026

A big thank you to the Lawrence Accessibility in Affordable Housing Workgroup - including two of our own staff - for publicizing an official group letter to The Lawrence Times on the development of a 3-point plan to achieve more accessible and affordable housing. The umbrella point that all other initiatives fall under, is a shift in thinking, calling for the understanding that accessibility MUST be recognized as a cornerstone of affordable housing development. Without accessibiltiy as an integral part of the affordable housing discussion, planning and building, an entire population is left out of the equation.

https://lawrencekstimes.com/2026/01/04/letter-accessible-housing/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPIorhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR4zjzuF9OCn3wb6Y_2mOIcl8ZQVjWNDt9FQ23qHxlvYwLEHD0j3jT9tSiZ7zQ_aem_cXA0WVAIPbxWlzoX_ayzfg

"Local data … makes clear that Lawrence needs more housing that is both affordable and accessible," members of the Accessibility in Affordable Housing Workgroup write in this letter to the Times.

12/22/2025

Wondering how World Cup 2026 might impact the Lawrence area? Lawrence 2026 is the go to resource hub for all things World Cup 2026 for Lawrence residents, businesses, communities, visitors and of course, fans - including match schedules, what to expect with the influx of visitors, how business owners can prepare and much more. There is also information for visitors so if you know of someone coming to the area during this time (June 11 - July 19 with matches in KC running from June 16 to July 11).

Lawrence Guide to World Cup 2026 The go-to resource for Lawrence residents & businesses Become a Volunteer Let’s get ready, Lawrence. The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament is coming to the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026. The first time ever hosted by three countries, this year...

12/22/2025

Did you know? In addition to their Adaptive classes, designed to empower individuals with diverse disabilities, Kaw Valley Crossfit also offers Adaptive+ classes for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ7EjyNEYlN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

ID: A man wearing a weighted vest and workout clothing performs squats in a gym setting

12/22/2025

The Adaptive Athletes in Motion (AAIM) program is up and running at Kaw Valley Crossfit and it is making waves (and helping to encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy bodies) for people in the Lawrence area! One of our staff, Rex Ellebracht, attended the grand opening event last week and along with our dear friend and colleague Ray Petty, got to see first hand what this inclusive and adaptive gym means to people with disabilities.

Check out AAIM and Kaw Valley Crossfit: https://www.kawvalleycrossfit.com/programs/adaptive-athletes-in-motion

12/22/2025

The Adaptive Expansion is open at Kaw Valley Crossfit! This Adaptive Athlete Facility is a fabulous, one-of-a-kind crossfit gym in our area, serving people with all types of disabilities! We are thankful for this incredibile addition to our community that exemplifies inclusion and accessibility.

A study led by University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies researcher Lyndsie Koon that aims to increase access to fitness for people with disabilities is expanding. And in Lawrence, so is one of the participating gyms.

Kaw Valley CrossFit is opening up more space with adapted equipment. The public is invited to a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Dec. 19 to learn more about accessible exercise options. Link to more in comments.

12/19/2025

Please - if you do not have working smoke alarms in your home, take advantage of this program offered by the State Fire Marshal.
https://firemarshal.ks.gov/198/Get-Alarmed-Kansas-Free-Smoke-Alarm-Prog?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyT2tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeOgCfVaE29dyZoxGyzNryeJvMWJBjJP5jS1sBe7qY3pfRivI5IgqxlZuoFhA_aem_QNXMast2Knjo2DcAyOyBbAThe Get Alarmed KS free smoke alarm program doesn’t just pass out free smoke alarms but utilizes trained volunteers to install them in homes. The site also has a wealth of important information on fire safety, smoke alarm maintenance, specific info for homeowners vs. renters, information for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and a whole lot more. Check out the site, schedule your smoke alarm installation and stay safe during this season of high wind, low temperatures and fire hazzards.

12/19/2025

This is just wrong.
Using sans-serif fonts like Calibri and APhont allow people with disabilities and those that use screen readers, easier access to written and online documents, correspondence and other material. To revert to an antiquated belief that Times New Roman is the mark of professionalism is absurd and discounts accessibility all together.

"The U.S. State Department, under the Trump administration and new Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has eliminated Calibri font from official use, reverting to Times New Roman for diplomatic documents, calling Calibri "informal" and a "wasteful" part of the previous administration's diversity initiatives (DEI). This move reverses a 2023 switch to Calibri, adopted for better digital screen readability and accessibility for people with visual impairments, replacing it with Times New Roman to restore "decorum and professionalism," according to Rubio's directives, sparking debate over accessibility vs. traditional government aesthetics."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomatic correspondence to stop using the Calibri font and return to the more traditional Times New Roman.

12/12/2025

I love everything about this.

12/12/2025

Autistic children are more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Researchers at LASR at KU: Laboratory of Affective Sensory Research are working to better understand why.

Their research could help improve understanding of the GI issues autistic youth experience, the connection between brain and gut, and potential treatment.

Learn about options for participating in the study at https://loom.ly/lb_0c-s

12/12/2025

This is a perfect example of why partnership matters and how collaboration is formed. Organizations working together, thinking outside the box and utilizing volunteer skill sets in a unique way, and asking the community to join in by following the journey and learning about disability needs along the way. This made our morining here at Independence, Inc.

Something very exciting will soon be coming to the Watkins! Her name is Runner, and she's an 8-week-old future service dog puppy that will be co-raised by volunteer Doug Tyler. Runner is a puppy from Canine Companions, the largest service dog organization in the country. Through our social media you'll be able to follow the life of raising, training and socializing of this future service dog!

Throughout the years, the Watkins has given Doug the opportunity to bring future service dogs in training with him for his shifts at the museum. This allows the dogs to be exposed to a variety of new experiences before going off to "puppy college" to eventually be paired with a person in need of services. Opportunities like this are vital for the dogs to have the best shot possible at success.

While Runner won't yet be joining Doug during his Friday afternoon volunteer shifts, we will be sharing regular pupdates on our socials. Be on the lookout for our new segments of "The Puppy Diaries: Raising Runner." Our next post will give the backstory of how Runner got her name!

12/11/2025

It's office Holiday Party Day! Happy Holidays from the KC office, from our crew to yours! Bloopers are the best!