A wheelchair user on a paved path

40 Years of Furthering Independent Living for People with Disabilities

About RTC/IL

Our Mission

Our mission is to further independent living (IL) for people with disabilities by collaborating with consumers on research that is relevant to their lives and by using innovative methods to disseminate knowledge.

RTC/IL ProjectsView as gallery page

Emergency Preparedness for Every Member of Your Family

Now is always the time to prepare for an emergency, especially for people with disabilities. We offer publications, videos and trainings to assist you in preparing for natural and man-made disasters.

For a quick overview, watch our RTC/IL Emergency Preparedness Videos (YouTube) to learn what you need to have on hand and the steps you can take be ready for the unexpected.

Two women examine the contents of an emergency preparedness kit

Community Living Research

People with disabilities still face many barriers to living and participating in their community. The Research and Training Center on Promoting Interventions for Community Living (RTC/PICL) is building on two evidence-based interventions to increase their community participation.

Since participation begins at home, the Home Usability Program helps people learn how to modify their home environments to support their needs.

The Out and About program enhances the personal skills of people with disabilities so they may pursue opportunities in the community that they choose.

This Center also promotes the dissemination and utilization of other successful practices that enhance participation.

A blind woman in rubber boots uses a cane to walk down a paved path. She is holding a pride-colored umbrella

News Highlights

IHDPS Begins Study of Pandemic Effects

The Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies (IHDPS) has begun the study “Using the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) Panel to Document the COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences of Working-Age Americans with Disabilities.”
News Story via the Life Span Institute

Dot Nary to Retire

Dorothy (Dot) Nary, PhD, will retire in December. Her 25-year career at the University of Kansas includes 20 years of service at the Research and Training Center on Independent Living and five years with the KU Gerontology Center.
Read a retrospective of Dot's career

RTC/IL Presents State-of-the-Science Conference

The Research and Training Center on Promoting Interventions for Community Living (RTC/PICL) presented its State-of-the-Science Conference with three webinars in September.
Presentation slides and videos