Disability Rights Center of Kansas

05/29/2026

Over 60 million people in the U.S. have a mental illness. PAIMI protects all of them.

PAIMI stands for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act. Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies, like DRC Kansas, can protect individuals with mental health conditions from abuse and neglect through PAIMI.

PAIMI allows P&As to investigate mistreatment in any place where people with mental illness live and learn, such as:
🏥 hospitals,
🏫 schools,
🏛️prisons, or
🏠care homes.

P&As exist in every state and territory to defend people with mental health conditions. If it’s happening to one of us, it matters to all of us.

Need help? Contact DRC Kansas. Call toll-free at 877-776-1541 or fill out our online help form at drckansas.org/get-help

05/21/2026

Access isn't a checklist. It's a practice.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a good start for making digital content accessible. But color contrast, image descriptions, and captions are just the beginning.

True access can look like:

- Asking people with disabilities for feedback.

- Meeting the needs of your specific community.

- Learning how to share information in new ways.

Access is more than legal requirements. It’s a journey to make sure everyone with and without disabilities can stay connected.

What would make the world more accessible for you?

05/08/2026

The ceremonial bill signing for SB 84 (the Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act) was a proud moment for advocates across Kansas!

DRC's Policy Director, Mike Burgess, attended the ceremonial signing to celebrate this milestone alongside other partners in the disability community.

Thank you to everyone who raised their voice, shared their stories, and supported this effort. Your advocacy helped move Kansas forward!

04/08/2026

After more than seven years of advocacy, Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is now law in Kansas!

This is a major milestone for disability rights in our state. Kansans with disabilities and their families sent hundreds of emails to Kansas lawmakers through action alerts on the SDM bill, and that advocacy made a big difference. THANK YOU for raising your voice and helping move Kansas forward! Thank you to the Kansas Legislature and the Governor for ensuring Kansas joins the majority of states with SDM laws!

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Senate Bill 84 (SB 84), establishing the Supported Decision-making Agreements Act, which will allow adults to enter into supported decision-making agreements to receive assistance with an adult’s affairs from one or more other adults. ...

04/03/2026

DRC’s advocates and attorneys provide free advocacy and legal services for Kansans’ disability rights and for Kansas seniors or Kansans with disabilities who have been the victim of a crime.

Learn more about how we can help at drckansas.org/about

03/31/2026

Thank you to the Kansas Bar Association and the IOLTA Committee!

Congratulations to the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, Inc. (DRC).

The Kansas Bar Foundation awarded DRC with a $26,000 Interest on Lawyer Checking Account grant. The grant will provide for expanding their reach for unmet civil legal needs of clients, including but not limited to victims of crime, housing, landlord tenant, debtor creditor, consumer protection, elder law, and administrative and family law. Visit www.drckansas.org

Pictured: Sabrina Thompson, KBA/KBF Executive Director and Rocky Nichols, Disability Rights Center of Kansas, Inc., Executive Director, celebrate the IOLTA grant funds that will expand their services.

03/26/2026

Assistive technology can make independence possible.

Through our Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) program, DRC helps Kansans with disabilities understand their rights and get the assistive technology they need for work, school, and daily life.

If you’re having trouble accessing assistive technology or accommodations, our team may be able to help!

Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.

03/24/2026

We have a resource with information about navigating Medicaid grievances and appeals. Check it out to learn:
- How to file a grievance or appeal
- Important deadlines
- Your rights during the process
- And more!

🌐: https://tinyurl.com/3vb648v7

Have a question about your situation or need help? Reach out! Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.

03/19/2026

🚨 FINAL PUSH FOR Supported Decision-Making Bill 🚨

Kansas is one step away from passing the Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act (HB 2609) — but time is running out.

HB 2609 creates a clear legal framework for supported decision-making, a less-restrictive alternative to guardianship that allows adults with disabilities to keep their rights while receiving support. HB 2609 is complementary to the current guardianship law, which was updated last year.

Everything now comes down to one step:
The bill must be included in a Judiciary Conference Committee report to pass into law. The deadline is Friday, March 27. If it’s not included, the bill is dead for the year. We will have to start over!

In under a minute, you can take action now and urge your legislators to include HB 2609 in a Conference Committee report and to have Kansas join the majority of states that have passed supported decision-making laws! https://www.votervoice.net/DRCKansas/Campaigns/134913/Respond

We are incredibly close. Let’s get this across the finish line!

The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act (HB 2609) is closer than ever to becoming law, but we need your help to get it across the finish line!  The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act passed the Kansas House with unanimous...

03/17/2026

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can change many parts of daily life, from work and school to housing, services, and benefits. DRC Kansas helps people living with TBIs understand their rights and advocate for the supports they need. Our Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit (DACVU) can help people living with TBIs who have been the victim of a crime.

Have a question or need help? Contact us online at drckansas.org/get-help or call toll-free at (877) 776-1541.