Youth Transition Alliance of Wyandotte County - YTAWC

05/18/2026

Hey Youth Transition Alliance of Wyandotte County - YTAWC community! Come join some local service providers share about their organizations and enjoy some fabulous food as we network, collaborate and share information! Hope to see you there!

For our Kansas City friends - join us at this month's Community Connections by Community Health Council for "Lets Taco 'Bout It!" featuring 3 KCK community organizations (including us!) for a time of networking, connection, learning about local programs and sercvices, and of course, eating tacos! Thank you Carniceria El Torito I & III for providing the festive feast!

Wednesday, May 27
11:30 - 1:00
803 Armstrong Ave
Kansas City, KS

05/13/2026

And that's a wrap! Independence, Inc. celebrated a fabulous semester of youth transition and executive function skill-building with their "Setting Myself Up for Succcess!" program, taken into 4 area high schools. And when you're amongst teens and young adults, you celebrate with pizza and donuts! The attentiveness, energy, engagement, ambition and just plain awesomeness shown through every student. Who thought learning and teaching/training could be this much fun?! We'll be back!

04/28/2026

Some of our fabulous peeps brought their A-game to the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools 2026 Job Olympics! YTAWC not only sent volunteers to the event but provided and assisted with a sensory room to make sure all participants were cared for well and had space to de-compress, de-escelate or just chill out. We are grateful to all those who helped make this event a success!

04/24/2026

Independence, Inc. staff had a fabulous time hosting a table at the 3rd annual Piper USD 203 Cultural Showcase yesterday evening! It was another year of diversity, inclusion, experiencing other cultures, meeting families and sharing resources. (the best part was the impromptu line dancing at the end...thank you awesome DJ!)
Also, welcome our newest staff member, Nicole, who helped out at our table!

04/15/2026

If you haven't yet checked out the KC Farm School - go do it! 🙂

Have you seen our new sensory garden? University of Kansas Medical Center student, Alyssa Witzgall has been creating it over the past few months while completing her Occupational Therapy Doctorate. It's installed, she'll graduate next month, and we're thrilled about it all!

Alyssa says, 'The goal was to create supportive sensory spaces for individuals who may be struggling in silence through staff education, sensory gardens, and sensory kits to promote occupational engagement. This scalable project demonstrates that through advocacy, community collaboration, and the occupational therapy lens, systematic shifts toward inclusive and accessible community environments are possible.'

She goes on to say that the research shows time spent in natural-spaces has a positive impact on overall health and well-being. Additionally, active engagement within sensory gardens has shown reductions in stress, anxiety, and social isolation. Nature-based sensory spaces could provide opportunities for self-regulation that would further support wellbeing for people who are neurodiverse.

Our sensory garden is full of herbs and flowers so that when we sit and decompress, we're met with things we can smell and taste and use those senses as a way to regulate. The garden is also equipped with signage in English and Spanish that display self-regulation strategies and the names of the plants!

Learn more and read the whole story on our website,
https://www.kcfarmschool.org/sensory-garden-at-common-ground

04/15/2026

Don't miss this opportunity to dive into a deeper understanding of your rights and protections under the ADA, IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Architectural Barriers Act!
It will be a great evening of engaged, interactive learning, snacks, Q&A and information about what programs and services 't miss this opportunity to dive into a deeper understanding of your rights and protections under the ADA, IDEA, Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act and the Architectural Barriers Act!
It will be a great evening of engaged, interactive learning, snacks, Q&A and information about what programs and services Independence, Inc. offers to the community.

Join experts from Independence Inc. for an engaging an engaging and practical learning experience for youth and young adults developing self-advocacy skills, while also supporting families, caregivers, employers, business owners, and community members in building more inclusive spaces. Whether you a...

04/13/2026

Mark your calendars now for the Independence, Inc. KYTN Program - Thrive Lab: LIfeskills for Indepednence!
Thrive Lab is our newest collection of community trainings for youth, young adults and the families and caregivers that support them.
Our kickoff workshop -
"Know Your Rights: the ADA, 504, IDEA, & the ABA"
is scheduled for Monday, May 18, 6:00-7:30 PM at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library Wyandotte West branch!
Location: 1737 N 82 St, Kansas City,

We'll enjoy interactive training on the rights of individuals with disabilities through topics that include:
Brief timeline and History of Disability Rights
What is the ADA and Why do we Need it?
Definition of Disability as defined in the ADA
Scenario-based "quizzes" (with prizes!)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
IDEA and the IEP
The Artitechtural Barriers Act
and more!

And better yet - snacks and drinks so you don't go hungry!

We can't wait to meet the community in this way - bring your students, families, and anyone else who may benefit.
All are welcome - please invite and share!

For more information, visit the KCKPL website https://www.kckpl.org/event/know-your-rights-ada-section-504-idea-aba-92726

04/10/2026

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about preparing for college as a person with a disability!
"Preparing for College with A disability: A Conversation with Accessible College" is a FREE webinar coming up quickly - April 29th! Registration is required.

💥Accessible College is teaming up with Laughing At My Nightmare, Inc. to bring you: "Preparing for College with a Disability: A Conversation with Accessible College"
🗓️April 29, 2026, 6:30PM ET
✅ Registration Required. Free: https://loom.ly/FOhPFyo
❓Students with disabilities have unique needs and considerations when transitioning to post-secondary education. We will talk about how to prepare and take your questions!
🤔 Have questions now? Drop them in the comments!