The RTC/IL is proud to partner with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Disability and Health Program on a number of projects designed to improve the health and participation in the community of people with disabilities.

 

About the RTC/IL

Our mission is to further Independent Living for people with disabilities by collaborating with consumers on productive research and by using innovative methods to disseminate useful knowledge.

Who We Are

The Research and Training Center on Independent Living is made up of a team committed to research and its use that enhances Independent Living for people with disabilities. Most of the team is based at The University of Kansas; however, researchers at other universities and organizations often participate in RTC/IL studies, as with our current major project team.

Our Research

We use a variety of research methods and designs, including policy analysis and empirical research, as well as qualitative, group, and single subject designs.

Research to Practice: Training, Dissemination, and Use of Knowledge

Our research is used in a variety of ways, including training in the field, dissemination through conference presentations and to policy makers for decision making, and through creation of useful products for consumers and community based organizations.

Academic Training

Students, many with disabilities, who are committed to the philosophy of Independent Living are recruited to join the RTC/IL and to earn graduate degrees while they participate in research and development.

Several students have entered the University of Kansas Applied Behavioral Science graduate program and joined the Research Group on Rehabilitation and Independent Living (RGRIL) to work on RTC/IL projects, receiving stipends for their work. Often, their project work counts toward academic program requirements.

Consumer Involvement

Consumers and service providers identify their critical needs and then work closely with center staff to develop research and products that address these needs throughout project research and development phases. This process ensures that our research and products meet real, as opposed to perceived, needs in the field.

Funding

The Research and Training Center on Independent Living was established with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. NIDRR continues to be a major supporter of the RTCI/IL as well as the Centers for Disease Control, Paralyzed Veterans Administration, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and other organizations working with us to better the lives of people with disabilities.

More information about the RTC/IL and its past accomplishments can be found at History of the Research and Training Center on Independent Living. Also view this description.

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