Ingram's December 2022

P A T HWA Y S T O R E C O V E R Y

Igniting Conversations and Brighter Futures in KC

One in four adults in Missouri and Kansas experi ence a disability leading to health disparities. Commu nities of color and those of diverse ethnicities are even more likely to have disabilities and incur significant bar riers to healthcare, education, and employment. Across both states, the need is great and continues to grow, but we are fortunate to have an organization here in Kansas City that is helping thousands of individuals reach their goals and achieve brighter futures. Ability KC supports a high percentage of under served families in our community, with more than 49% being from Jackson and Wyandotte counties. “Our model is a purposeful and comprehensive center-based design of necessary therapies sup ported with medical supervision, case management and social work, neuropsychology, adaptive driving to communication technologies, and transition services across an individual’s life continuum,” said Amy Cas tillo, CEO and Executive Director of Ability KC. In 2021, Ability KC provided over $5 million in uncompensated, at-cost support to those served across medical to educational therapeutic programs and workforce development services. Ability KC supports a high level of acuity and com plexity in conditions, from brain injuries, spinal cord in juries, stroke and amputation to rare conditions, help ing infants to seniors in our communities. The Ability

Since 1947, Ability KC has been driven by the unwavering purpose for disabilities inclusion in our communities. The Ability KC team values continual advancements in expertise and excellence to sup port individuals with the most complex disabilities and their families to achieve life changing and im pactful milestones. While Ability KC fills an important gap in the Greater Kansas City community and surrounding states, unfortunately the gap is widening each year, and no one organization can do it alone. “A journey and impact of this magnitude is only possible when a community understands, collaborates, and partners,” said Castillo. “Together, it is a necessity to ignite conversations in understanding the inequities for individuals with disabilities across communities. We must advocate for value-based rehabilitation care mod els and do our part to drive awareness and action.” It is critical for Ability KC to continue advancing its technologies, program innovation and campus to the level of quality of care being provided, and to ensure individuals are supported when they return home and to their communities. And they cannot do it alone. Abil ity KC relies on and appreciates the hundreds of com munity supporters, volunteers and partners that have been with them through their purposeful journey. According to Dr. Robert Jackson, Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Ability KC, “The need is great, so we are fortunate the community is with us to ig nite conversations, imagine possibilities and make an impact, together.”

KC model is person-centered, building the access and bridges between health care and quality of life with readiness for school, work and living independently. As the longest standing outpatient compre hensive rehabilitation facility in Kansas City, 2021 marked 50 years of Ability KC being internationally accredited through the Commission on Accredita tion of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Through Abil ity KC’s partnership with CARF International, it is recognized as a value-based care leader and will be partnering with CARF to showcase its model.

Get Involved, Start Conversations and/or Donate Today – visit abilitykc.org