From its inception, Independence, Inc. has been a leader of local advocacy efforts working for the rights of persons with disabilities. Many of our efforts started small, but have grown tremendously. One example is our transportation service, which started with a single lift-equipped van purchased at an auction for $25. Now we own six lift-equipped vehicles and provide as many as 900 rides per month.

In the early years, there were times when things got tough, but the importance of our mission saw us through. Many board members remember selling nachos at a local horse show to cover payroll for a month between funding awards.

Following are other highlights of the first 30 years of service of Independence, Inc.

August 27, 1979
Grant was awarded for the period of September 1, 1979 - August 31, 1980. 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.

September-October, 1979
Staff hired; Lenore Talliaferro became Director.
The Sunflower Benefit Horse Show donated $2500 to Independence, Inc.

November 7, 1979
Office established at 937 Kentucky just north of Douglas County State Bank (The building was rented from the bank for $1,000 per month).

November 19-26, 1979
Declared "Independence, Inc. Week" by the Lawrence City Commission.
Gov. John Carlin attended agency open house.

April 14, 1980
The Center's first new van ordered and funded through Kansas Rehabilitation Services (cost: $29,018).

1981
First Consumer Needs Assessment
Needs identified included; better Personal Care Attendant program (state or federal funding), improved vocational services, public transportation, transitional living program, residential units, recreational services, and more library materials.

1983
Offices moved to 1910 Haskell Avenue.
Passage of Mil Levy Bill.
Apple Grant awarded.
Voter Registration Outpost started.
Community Development Block Grant for computer training.
Able-Disabled Road Races.
Incorporated Accessible Residential Options for HUD 202 loan.

1984
Named one of the nation's five outstanding Centers for Independent Living.
Produced award-winning video "One in Eight".

1985
Microcomputer Applications Project awarded demonstration grant.
Center staff helped form the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living.

1986
Awarded the HUD 202 Loan to build 20 ARO units.
Awarded CDBG funds to bring the Life Safety System to Lawrence.

1987
Successfully advocated for the new Holcom Recreation Center to be barrier-free.

1988
ARO units completed.
Community Access Awards program begun.
Douglas County Resource Guide published.

1989
Helped establish Health Care Access.
CDBG funds first awarded for the Accessible Housing Program.

1990
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.
Advocated for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Center staff raise $1800 "seed money" for the Ryan Gray Playground for All Children a benefit garage sale.

1991
Title I grant written and approved; funding awarded October 1, 1991.
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 Kansas Human Rights Commission and the Kansas Commission for Disability Concerns.

1993
Human Diversity Task Force formed.
Became a United Way Agency.
Received Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund certification for ADA Training.
CLC obtained Braille printer for consumer and community use.
Began Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program

1994
Northeast Kansas Assistive Technology Access Site established.
Transportation Department moves to Douglas County Senior Services.
Completed Long Range Plan.
Peer Counseling Program Enhancement.

1995
Awarded Assistive Technology Vocational Rehabilitation Grant.
Awarded Families Together Transition Grant.
University of New Orleans Collaborative Transition Teams Project.
Members, Kansas Transition Network Regional Training Team.

1996
Begin program to construct a new building.
Awarded Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas.
SILCK Advisory Grant.
Home of Your Own (HOYO) program established.

1997
Physical Disabilities Waiver Administration Implemented.
Paratransit Total Coordination.
PASS Department expanded.
Computer Give-Away Program began.

1998
Agency celebrates 20th anniversary.
Offices moved to completed new building at 2001 Haskell Avenue.
Began rural outreach and grass-roots advocacy project.
Cooking Club and Music Appreciation Groups formed.

1999
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.

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.

2006
Merged with Full Citizenship, Inc. on April 1st, creating a full service employment department for the agency.
Independent Living Skills Specialist Ranita Wilks crowned the third Ms. Wheelchair Kansas.

2007
Began ConnectUP!, an alternative employment program for people with developmental disabilities.
Awarded Statewide Assesment Contract for the new WORK program.

2008
Established Psychological Servics Program
Established Youth Employment Program
Celebrated 30th Anniversary
Published first issue of the newsletter, The Independence Advocate

2009
Established Ready...Set...Shop for a Cause! fund raising event

Roster of Executive Directors
1979-1980          Lenore Talliaferro
1980-1983          Rob Jacobsen
1983-1988          Mona McCoy
1989                    Bert Pusch
1989-1992          Ray Petty
1992-2001          Ann Branden
2001-2003          Robert LeGresley
2003-2004          Sidney Hardgrave
2004-2009          Tanya Dorf Brunner
2009-present      Stacey Hunter Schwartz, Ph.D.