Self Advocacy by People with Disabilities
Not only do we advocate for individuals but we also teach self-advocacy. Knowing the principles of effective communication can be useful in a variety of situations from finding or maintaining housing or employment to working to improve accessibility communitywide.
We provide information about civil rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, Kansas Act Against Discrimination and Kansas Residential Landlord & Tenant Act. People with disabilities learn how to exercise their rights, use mediation to resolve differences and, when necessary, file complaints.
Services and Outreach for Businesses and Organizations
We provide education and technical assistance. Our accessibility surveys identify changes that will provide equal access for people with disabilities. Our Speakers’ Bureau offers presentations and trainings on disability issues ranging from ADA Employment Rights and Responsibilities to Sexuality and Disability.
For more information contact the Advocacy Coordinator
at contact info listed above.
Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Home Page of the U.S Department of Justicehttp://www.ada.gov/
1-800-514-0301 (Voice)
1-800-514-0383 (TDD)
Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) Enforcement Guidance on the ADA
www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html
Great Plains ADA Center-Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC)
Provides technical assistance, training, and materials on all areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability laws to individuals in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
1-800-949-4232
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN's facilitates employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing information on job accommodations, self-employment, small business opportunities and related subjects. JAN is a comprehensive resource for job accommodations.
www.jan.wvu.edu
1-800-526-7234
United States Access Board
The federal agency committed to accessible design that develops the accessibility standards utilized by the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal laws.
http://www.access-board.gov/
1-800-872-2253 (V)
1-800-993-2822 (TDD)
Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Rights and Resources
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities/index.cfm
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Comprehensive information about rights under the Fair Housing Act, including:
Information Sheets on aspects of Fair Housing Act that apply to people with disabilities
http://www.bazelon.org/issues/housing/index.htm
Kansas Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection
http://www.ksag.org/home/Kansas Human Rights CommissionAgency that enforces the Kansas Act Against Discrimination
Kansas Insurance Commissioner
Consumer Information & Fraud Protection
http://www.ksinsurance.org/about/contact.htm
Kansas Joblink
Excellent information and links to other resources in "Disability Resources."
www.kansasjoblink.com
Disability Rights Center of Kansas, Inc.
(DRC)is a legal advocacy agency empowered by federal law to advocate for the civil and legal rights of Kansans with disabilities. DRC is the official Protection and Advocacy System for Kansas and part of the national network of federally mandated and funded protection and advocacy systems. DRC advocates for the rights of Kansans with disabilities under state or federal laws ( ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, Federal Medicaid Act, Kansas Act Against Discrimination, etc.) DRC is also empowered by federal law to educate policymakers on needed improvements to the law and public policy.
http://drckansas.org/1-877-776-1541 (V)
1-877-335-3725 (TDD)
Disabled Access Credit
Kansas Tax Credit for making one's home or business more accessible.
http://www.ksrevenue.org/taxcredits-disabled.htmAccessible Parking Permit Applicationhttp://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/forms/tr159.pdf
Independence, Inc. Accessible Housing Program
is a grant program that assists renters with low to moderate incomes living in the City of Lawrence, Kansas make needed accessibility modifications in their housing.
Information and technical assistance is also provided to others planning accessibility improvements in their home or business.
Contact:
Bob Mikesic, Independence, Inc. Advocacy Coordinator
785-841-0333 ext. 107
City of Lawrence, Human Relations Division
The City of Lawrence Human Relations Division"in Century Gothic and add this in place of paragraph currently there.The City of Lawrence Human Relations Division at 1006 New Hampshire, is a civil rights enforcement agency. It investigates complaints from persons alleging they have been discriminated against in employment, housing, or public accommodations because of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability or familial status in housing. Human Relations provides education and out reach for the City's anti-discrimination law. The Human Relations Commission serves as the advisory board for the agency. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can submit an Intake Discrimination Complaint form online. Read the Human Relations ordinance here (PDF, 134 KB).
