In the newest episode of 35 Years of Community Living, Jocelyn Bowen and Mikelle Learned join Kaley Day to talk about their experiences using technology to connect with others, work, advocate, run a business and live more independently. Listen @ stateofthestates.ku.edu/35-years-com...

Our team visited with Dan Davies, founder of AbleLink, to learn more about how their services enhance cognitive accessibility for transportation and other daily needs. Learn more about their work at ablelinktech.com

We were honored to support the fourth annual Disability Pride celebration this past weekend! Speakers shared their reflections on the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the work still ahead of us to ensure that all people are supported to learn, work, feel included, and thrive.

The BASIS project, from KUCD and @smartctr.bsky.social, is supporting teachers to integrate new evidence-based practices into classrooms to improve student outcomes while reducing teacher stress. Dr. Maria Hugh talked with KU News about the project: bit.ly/4pEWr2I

In the first episode of the 35 Years of Community Living Podcast, Dr. Jean Winsor reflects on a timeline connecting major policy and systems changes with data on employment and community living for people with I/DD. Hear more @ stateofthestates.ku.edu/35-years-com...

Come celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s passing into law with us! Join us at the Dole Institute of Politics from 1-5PM on Saturday, June 25, 2026, and learn about the history and impact of the ADA. Learn and register @ bit.ly/ada_celebration_lawrence

Congratulations to the latest cohort of the Kansas ACRE 100 Course! These 40 employment service providers completed ACRE-accredited training on providing competitive integrated employment services to Kansans with disabilities. Learn more about Kansas Employment First @ kansasemploymentfirst.org.

The State of the States project has just released their latest Mini Monograph! This document compiles the data on state and federal spending for supports and services for people with I/DD in Fiscal Year 2023. Check it out @ stateofthestates.ku.edu/monograph.

The State of the States project is excited to share that Arizona has joined a growing movement of Technology First states with the passage of House Bill 2700! We work to ensure all citizens have access to the technology they need to live the lives they choose. Learn more at stateofthestates.ku.edu

For every $1,000 of income, how much did the U.S. spend on supports and services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)? a) ‎$4.30 b) $5.29 c) $7.93 D) $12.05 Find the answer @ bit.ly/db_42631! Check out our previous Data Bites at bit.ly/db_homepage!

From June 19th to June 21st, a group of KUCD staff members attended the 2026 SACK Conference in Manhattan, Kansas! Evan Dean, Brad Linnenkamp, Sean Tyree, and SACK’s Colin Olenick, presented on Employment First. Thomas Gottstein presented on Technology First and Technology First’s projects.

Get to know us with our 6 Question Series with researchers and staff. Today, we're highlighting Austin Myers, Communications Coordinator at the @kucdisabilities.bsky.social. 🔗 Read the Q&A: https://loom.ly/SO4ZKgY

The Kansas Employment First team joined APSE for their 2026 National Conference and presented about our work! We highlighted the history, success, and ongoing opportunities of Kansas Employment First, which supports competitive, integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

KUCD Assistant Researcher Sean Tyree received the Lois Curtis Advocacy Award from APSE, or the Association of People Supporting Employment. This award recognizes Sean's advocacy for inclusive, individualized, community-based employment and independent living. Congratulations, Sean!

Do you have a question related to the topics below? • Spending on services for people with I/DD • Home and Community - Based services (HCBS) • Supported employment • Technology solutions • Fiscal effort • Supported Living Submit your questions and learn more @ bit.ly/db_homepage.

You have more time to apply! We have extended the application deadline for our office manager position to Friday, June 19th, 2026! You can learn more and apply at bit.ly/kucdofficemanager.

People with disabilities want to work and contribute in meaningful ways. KU researchers at @kucdisabilities.bsky.social are partnering with the state to help more Kansans find employment that reflects their strengths and goals. 👉 https://loom.ly/bPtjM9A

KUCD is still searching for a new office manager who loves being a go-to problem-solver and enjoys providing top-notch support for a thriving Research Center! You can learn more and apply at bit.ly/kucdofficemanager. As a reminder, the application closes on Monday, June 1st, 2026.

Last chance to apply! KUCD is still looking for a creative and detail-oriented Instructional Designer to transform our research-based programs, interventions, and practices into engaging digital and print learning experiences. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/kucd-idesigner today.

We are still looking for a creative and detail-oriented Instructional Designer to transform our research-based programs, interventions, and practices into engaging digital and print learning experiences. Don't wait! Application closes on May 26, 2026. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/kucd-idesigner.

Episode 1 of the 35 Years of Community Living podcast is here. This episode focuses on the History of Projects of National Significance — and how policy, data, and real lives intersect. Listen to the full episode and learn more from our project partners at our Linktree: linktr.ee/kucdisabilities

Come join us! KUCD is seeking a new office manager who loves being a go-to problem-solver and enjoys providing top-notch support for a thriving Research Center! Learn more and apply @ bit.ly/kucdofficemanager. The application closes on Monday, June 1st, 2026.

Congratulations to KUCD Trainees Geonhwa (Gina) Kim and Rebecca Townsend, who are receiving their PhDs from KU Special Education! Congratulations to all the 2026 graduates and awardees! #RockChalk

We were honored to host Dr. Rebecca Hines, Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities at the Administration for Community Living, for a tour of our Center! We had the opportunity to hear about her strategic vision and share about the impacts our work is having across Kansas and beyond.

KUCD is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Instructional Designer to transform our research-based programs, interventions, and practices into engaging digital and print learning experiences. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/kucd-idesigner by May 26, 2026.

Our team traveled to Arkansas to visit schools using the GSC App and other evidence-based tools developed by KUCD! We got to hear from students and teachers about how these tools are having real world impacts, boosting self-confidence and supporting planning for success in school and beyond.

Did you know there's no federal law limiting how little people with disabilities may be paid. Today, KU researchers at @kucdisabilities.bsky.social are helping put this goal into practice. Learn more: https://loom.ly/bPtjM9A

KU expanding job opportunities for disabled Kansans through state investment

University of Kansas researchers have launched the second phase of the Kansas Employment First project, expanding access to competitive integrated employment for Kansans with disabilities.

lifespan.ku.edu

Come work with us! We’re seeking a Research Project Coordinator to support our inclusive research projects and advance opportunities for people with disabilities and professionals who work with them. Apply by April 29th @ bit.ly/rprojectcoord.

The State of the States project has released a new report with ANCOR, Advancing Technology Access for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD): A Survey of IDD Services and Supports Providers. Learn more @ bit.ly/ancortech Special thanks to ANCOR for a decade of collaboration!

Dr. Shea Tanis, KUCD Associate Research Professor, was quoted in this article about potential Medicaid cuts in Colorado, discussing what we know from the data collected by the State of the States Project. Learn more at stateofthestates.ku.edu. Full article: www.denverpost.com/2026/04/05/c...

Colorado is nearing another massive budget cut. Medicaid will take the brunt — and it may not be the last shortfall.

“We have a red-state budget and we have blue-state ideals, and that doesn’t work very well,” one observer said — forcing difficult budget choices every year for Colorado lawmakers.

denverpost.com