The WILS Way

The WILS Way
West-Central Independent Living Solutions
Since 1996
The WILS Way
News from West-Central
Independent Living Solutions
Main Office
610 N. Ridgeview Drive
Warrensburg, MO 64093.
Questions, suggestions and
story ideas can be directed to
Sue Kraus, Editor
660-422 7883, ext. 112 or
[email protected]
National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2015
October is National Disability
Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
and is a time to celebrate the many varied
contributions of America's
workers with disabilities. The theme for this
year, which marks 70 years since
the first observance, is
Did you Know?
Each year WILS offers
four Empowerment
Scholarship Awards in the
amount of $500 to students
residing in our six county
service area. (One from
each WILS office).
This $500 scholarship
recognizes the strengths
and accomplishments of
individuals with disabilities
who would like to continue
their education and learn
marketable skills. It will be
awarded to a student who
has demonstrated initiative,
talent and determination,
resulting in a notable
accomplishment in any
field.
From left to right; presenting the award:
Kathy Kay, WILS Executive Director,
Peter Voskovitch, WHS. graduate, and
Kelly Nimmo, School Counselor at WHS.
Third Quarter 2015
"My Disability is One Part of Who I Am."
Bobbers were up at Clover Dell Park!
Something fishy was sure going on at the
recent WILS fall fishing trip at Clover Dell Park
in Sedalia. WILS, in partnership with the
Missouri Conservation Department and the
MO Fish Advisory, a division of DHSS, hosted
over 40 attendees plus staff for a fun filled
day at the lake.
Many were lucky enough to catch a fish or
two, but the real winners were the fish, as it
was a catch and release event.
Come join us for our next fishing
trip at Hazel Hill Lake in the
Spring of 2016.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
West-Central Independent Living Solutions announces its participation in
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness
campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National
Disability- Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability
employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of
America's workers with disabilities.
The history of National Disability employment Awareness Month traces back
to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October
each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week”. In 1962; the word "physically" was
removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of
disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National
Disability Employment Awareness Month.
This year, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme is “My Disability is One Part of
Who I Am." Reflecting this year's theme, throughout the month, WILS will be engaging in a variety of
activities to educate its employees, consumers and the community on disability employment issues and
the role they play in fostering a disability friendly work culture.
WILS is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We want to
spread the important message that a strong workforce is one inclusive of the skills and talents of all
Individuals, including individuals with disabilities. WILS is more concerned with what a person can do,
rather than what they cannot do. As an organization, WILS embodies this concept: 51 percent of WILS'
staff and board of directors have a disability. All are contributing, capable members of the workforce and
society.
Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability
Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages during October and throughout
the year by visiting the ODEP website at www.dol.govIodep
Information is also available on the WILS website at www.w-ils.org or on
Facebook at West-Central Independent Living Solutions.
Executive Director
Connecting people with disabilities to the resources they need.
Page 2
West-Central Independent Living Solutions
Peer Support Groups Meet
All individuals with a disability and seniors 60 plus are welcome to join. For more information
contact Sue at 660-422-7883. All materials are supplied and the class is free of charge. An
RSVP is requested so we have plenty of materials available for all.
Warrensburg
The Warrensburg craft group meets at the Warrensburg Senior Center the first Wednesday of the month
from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in the Arts and Crafts room.
Sedalia
The Sedalia craft group meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Sedalia
Senior Center from 1 PM to 2:30 PM in the main dining room.
Odessa
The Odessa craft group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Odessa
Senior Center from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in the main dining room.
Acrylic Painting group meets on Mondays at the Warrensburg Senior
Center from 10 AM till Noon in the Arts and Craft room. All supplies are
provided.
WILS Hosts Community Forum in November
Please join us on November 4th, 2015, for a Community Forum hosted by West- Central
Independent Living Solutions (WILS). The primary goal of this forum is to advance
WILS’s communication with our stakeholders and state/local officials. This community
forum will provide an opportunity to hear firsthand from stakeholders about ideas and
thoughts on successful programs and services that are helping people who have
disabilities to live independently, as well as provide an opportunity to identify barriers or
areas where gaps in services exist. We encourage attendees to bring their top 3 areas of interest for our
first forum. The information gathered at our community forum will be analyzed, summarized and
reported annually to shape the development of future policy direction.
The Community Forum will be held from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Resource tables will be available at 5:00
pm. Transportation is available by calling Kathy Wyatt, Transportation Supervisor, at 660-422-7883 by
October 21, 2015.
Location: West-Central Independent Living Solutions, 610 N Ridgeview Drive, Warrensburg, MO 64093
West-Central Independent Living Solutions is committed to connecting youth with
disabilities to the resources they need. WILS provides services that meet the
transitional, educational, and social needs of youth with disabilities. Our
youth curriculum is designed to educate high school aged youth about
transitioning to independent living and providing information to the
resources and skills that will help them achieve their independent living
goals. WILS would like to make schools and students aware of our youth
services to ease the transitioning process into adulthood. Please contact
WILS at 660-422-7883 with any questions regarding the transitions
program.
Page 3
West-Central Independent Living Solutions
Contact Us!
Warrensburg
610 N. Ridgeview Drive
(660) 422-7883
(800) 236-5175
West-Central Independent Living Solutions is a non-profit Center for Independent Living
that works to help people with disabilities by offering services and programs to help
them achieve and maintain their independence.
WILS’ five core services are information and referral, independent living skills training,
advocacy, peer support and transition.
For individuals, WILS offers supportive programs including accessible ramp construction,
Sedalia
1800 W Main
(660) 829-1980
(866) 558-5588
low cost accessible transportation, Consumer Directed Services, assistive technology, and
Odessa
1348 W. Hwy. 40
(816) 565-4470
(866) 574-8931
through Missouri’s Telecommunications Access Program.
Clinton
116 Jefferson St
(660) 383-4745
(866) 806-5191
help to transition from an institution to independent community living. We can also
assist eligible participants to obtain adaptive telephone and computer equipment
In addition, WILS staff can guide businesses and organizations through the process of
performing accessibility surveys and implementing transition plans to comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Where there’s a WILS, there’s a WAY!
www.w-ils.org
“Connecting people with disabilities to the resources they need.”
West-Central Independent Living Solutions
610 N. Ridgeview Drive
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage Paid
Warrensburg, MO
Permit # 71