Announcing the KC Disability Collective: A collaborative project of The Empower Network.

The KC Disability Collective is a developing community hub for disability-related resources, organizations, businesses, events, advocacy efforts, and collaborations throughout the Kansas City region. Our goal is to make it easier for people to find one another, work together, share opportunities, and strengthen the disability community as a whole.

This group brings together disabled people, caregivers, advocates, nonprofit organizations, service providers, community leaders, disability-owned businesses, researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, and anyone working to improve inclusion and accessibility.

Why does this matter?

Kansas City has an incredible disability community. There are nonprofits, support groups, service providers, disability-owned businesses, advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and people doing amazing work every single day.

And somehow, we all keep asking the same question:
"𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁... 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗜 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀?"

We've lost track of how many conversations have gone something like:
"Oh, you need help with that? You should talk to ________."
"There's actually an organization that does that."
"There's a support group for that."
"They've been around for years."

And the response is almost always:
"𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙣𝙤 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖."

The problem usually isn't that the resources don't exist. It's that they're scattered across different organizations, websites, newsletters, and personal networks. So much of disability support in Kansas City still depends on knowing the right person, having the right insurance, the right transportation, the right sets of diagnosis, care, or demographic boxes checked.

THAT is why we're starting the KC Disability Collective.

The goal is simple: make it easier for people to find each other through the open format of social media.

To help organizations find other organizations to collaborate on projects.

To expand support for the disability community beyond the individual and the organizations, but to create a network where these questions can be answered.

We want to connect disabled people, caregivers, organizations, service providers, advocates, researchers, businesses, and community leaders who care about accessibility and inclusion in Kansas City.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
"I wish I'd known about this sooner."
"I didn't realize that organization existed."

That's exactly why this project matters.

We're just getting started, and we'd love to have you join us! 🎉

There are several ways to participate:

- Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself: KC Disability Collective
- Add your disability-focused organization, business, or services to the community resource directory: Resource Directory Form
- Donate to support the development of the collective: Donate Here
- Sign up as a volunteer to help moderate the group, verify the resource directory submissions, or coordinate newsletter & meeting content: Volunteer Here
- Share with others who may benefit from these connections.

We can't wait to see the collaborations, partnerships, and growth that comes from connecting one of the most innovative, diverse groups of people to each other to solve big problems!

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗖 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 & 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀:

The Empower Network, Inc (501c3 project sponsor)
Midnight Garden Publishing
Disabled but Not Really
Service for United People
Clearing for Launch
LadyCo Brookside
Beyond This
Stephanie Swanson Coaching
TheChronicCEO
BlendHQ
Midwest House
Blazing Star Financial

and more!

The KC Disability Collective is a community hub for disability-related resources, organizations, businesses, events, advocacy efforts, and collaborations throughout the Kansas City region. Our goal is to make it easier for people to find one another, work together, share opportunities, and strengthen the disability community as a whole.

This group is for disabled people, caregivers, advocates, nonprofit organizations, service providers (for-profit or non-profit), community leaders, disability-owned businesses, researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, and anyone working to improve inclusion and accessibility.

Where to find the KC Disability Collective:

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1994513817871826

Website (just a landing page for now): https://kcdisabilitycollective.org/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590617466865

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kc-disability-collective

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/kcdisabilitycollective/

Email address: kcdisabilitycollective@gmail.com

Want to be involved in Disability Pride Month? Consider downloading our Social Media Sharable Resources Kit through our website - posts, statistics, and graphics pre-made for you to share, ready to go.

Start Here

The Empower Network is growing! There’s a place for you here.

Whether you’re looking for support, connection, or a way to give back, your involvement helps build a more accessible, compassionate world of work.

Join as a member to connect with others who truly get it. Members have access to our weekly virtual coffee hours, community events, and peer support.

Join The Empower Collective

Volunteer your skills, creativity, or time. Every bit of energy helps this community grow!

Volunteer

Donate to keep our programs accessible and fund scholarships for those who need a little extra support.

Support the Mission

Thank you for helping us build a world where everyone has a chance to contribute to meaningful work.