Advocacy

Independent Connection advocates for people with disabilities, both on an individual level as well as on community, state and national levels.

• Individual Advocacy
  We provide information about your rights and responsibilities and teach you the skills needed to make changes in your life.  
• Systems Change Advocacy
  We advocate for you at local, state and federal levels for integration, public access and policy changes that will create inclusive, accessible communities. 

Information and Referral Services

Are you looking for services in the community? Are you struggling with where to start looking for the resources you need? Independent Connection provides information about services and resources that promote independence and access to the community.

View Online Resources

Peer Support

Do you have questions about your disability? Would you like to connect with other people who have similar disabilities? Independent Connection provides support for the emotional ups and downs of a disability by group and individual support.

View Upcoming Events

Independent Living Skills Training

To maintain independence, people with disabilities must learn new skills to accomplish routine tasks. Independent Connection teaches independent living skills in your home or the environment in which the skills will be used. 

Skills taught may include:

• New ways to get dressed
• Learning to use adaptive equipment
• Household budgeting
• Home management
• Learning how to hire, manage and fire personal attendants

Youth Transition Services

At Independent Connection we understand that the plan for life after high school does not just start when you’re a junior or senior. 

We work with youth with any disability to identify:

• personal strengths and interests
• hopes for the future
• ideas and goals
• barriers to goals

We encourage and help shape:

• community involvement & engagement
• school involvement
• healthy relationships and peer support
• self-determination and self-advocacy
• communication skills
• healthy living

For more information, give us a call!

Saline County Transition Council

The Saline County Transition Council is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults with disabilities as they plan for life after high school. Our council brings together local agencies, young people, and their families who work collaboratively to ensure strong connections to resources that support success in post-secondary education, integrated employment, and independent living.

Together, we aim to create a seamless transition into adulthood by empowering individuals with disabilities to pursue further education or technical training, find meaningful employment, and fully participate in their communities.

Council Members:

Independent Connection Inc., DCF, KDHE, OCCK, Salina Area United Way, USD 305, CAPS, Central Kansas Mental Health Center, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and more!

Contact us for more info.

Other area Transition Councils include:

• Dickinson County
• Mitchell County

Kansas Youth Transition Network

Equipping Youth to Build Their Tomorrow

We are a part of the Kansas Youth Transition Network, working alongside partners to build relationships and resources for families and youth with disabilities as they explore options for key transition moments.

In 2023, the US Department of Education created the Pathways to Partnership Program – funded by the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) – to support innovative activities aimed at increasing competitive integrated employment (CIE) for youth and other individuals with disabilities.

The Pathways to Partnership innovative model demonstration project fosters collaborative partnerships between state vocational rehabilitation agencies, state and local educational agencies, and centers for independent living (that’s us!). The grant funding was distributed to state departments of education and the Kansas Youth Transition Network was created! As a network, our common goal is to help individuals with disabilities seamlessly transition to life after high school, preparing them for independent living, further education or technical training, employment and community integration.

Kansas Youth Transition Network

Returning Home Services (Deinstitutionalization)

Are you moving out of a nursing facility, institution or returning home from a hospital? Let Independent Connection assist you in identifying available options to prevent you from having to unnecessarily leave your home again.

Services may include:

• Helping with financial planning
• Finding the services you need in the community
• Finding accessible housing

Additional Services

In addition to our core services above, Independent Connection provides low-cost additional services related to independent living, such as: 

• Pre-Employment Transition Services
• Accessibility Reviews
• Independent Living Assessments
• Disability Etiquette & Sensitivity Training