United Spinal Chapter Check-In: Kansas City


Kansas City Chapter: Advocating at All Levels

Finn Bullers (far right) and friends sport T-shirts saying, “Don’t ‘dis’ my ability!”
Finn Bullers (far right) and friends sport T-shirts saying, “Don’t ‘dis’ my ability!”

Knowing all the state policy and regulations affecting people with spinal cord injury and figuring out how to effectively advocate is one of the more difficult tasks for any chapter. Now imagine having to do that for two states. That’s the situation facing the 7-year-old Greater Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Association, thanks to Kansas City’s unique bi-state positioning on the border between Missouri and Kansas. Yet since its inception in 2008, the GKCSCIA has thrived in that situation, supporting and fighting for its 300-plus members in both states.

On both sides of the state line, the chapter has focused on urging state legislators to expand Medicaid to ensure more low-income, elderly and disabled residents will receive health insurance. Missouri is wavering and Kansas, up until most recently, has been adamantly opposed to expansion. The current fiscal crisis in Kansas may force the governor to reconsider accepting more than $430 million in federal Medicaid expansion funds the state currently is rejecting. All taxpayers are forced to pay federal taxes to cover the expansion, but the Greater Kansas City area is not receiving any of the Medicaid expansion funds to which it is entitled. The chapter is working to change that.

GKCSCIA also is closely monitoring legislation that would give states Medicaid expansion funds in the form of unrestricted block grants that could be used by states on any spending priority at the exclusion of Medicaid expansion. The chapter strongly opposes what is referred to as the “health compact,” proposed legislation that would allow states to exempt themselves from the federal health care overhaul.

The chapter remains involved in issues that go beyond state boundaries. At this summer’s United Spinal chapter leadership meeting in Minneapolis, Kansas City policy adviser Finn Bullers signed on with other national chapter leaders to create an eBook that will serve as a fundraising guide with useful tips and recommendations to benefit other chapters. The eBook is to be released during the 2015 United Spinal Roll on Capitol Hill.

Thinking Globally

Bullers is driving the chapter’s push for the statewide and national adoption of the proposed new disability access symbol. He and Hector Del Valle, president of the Central South Florida chapter, are helping to lead the Accessible Icon Project, an effort to adopt a revised International Symbol of Access — the stick-figure icon we see every day in public — that the chapter believes is more active, robust and life-affirming. See more at: www.accessibleicon.org or click on this video: youtu.be/AbpHQMkQRE0.

New York has adopted the new symbol and there is pending legislation in New Jersey and Kansas. Several cities nationwide have adopted the symbol. The chapter urges all United Spinal chapters to adopt the initiative in their states and buy the chapter’s blue T-shirts featuring the proposed access symbol and the message — “Don’t ‘Dis’ My Ability.”

Acting Locally

In addition to maintaining an active voice in legislative issues, the GKCSCIA also hosts a number of social activities and outreach efforts — adapted sports such as snow skiing, tennis and basketball — to provide members and the local SCI/D community opportunities to engage with the nondisabled world.

The largest fundraising event of the year is the annual GKCSCIA Golf Tournament. This year, the tournament will be held on May 29 at Swope Memorial Golf Course on the Missouri side of the metro. Last year, the tournament featured an adapted golf clinic where participants had a unique opportunity to try the Paramobile, a one-of-a-kind access device that works similar to a traditional golf cart, but is equipped with an articulating, upward-lifting seat and straps that supports a golfer with a disability to stand even on uneven terrain and extend the golf stroke to get back in the swing of things.

Anthony Netto of Paramobile and The Stand Up and Play Foundation showed the Paramobile is a fun way to exercise unused muscles and gain the benefits of standing for improved blood circulation. A Paramobile unit has been secured with the help of Westar Foods to be used by members of the Greater Kansas City SCI community.

The chapter’s largest fundraiser is its annual golf tournament.
The chapter’s largest fundraiser is its annual golf tournament.

The chapter’s largest event of the year is the Kansas City Ability Expo, a combined effort of the area’s major disability rights organizations that pulls together service providers, resources, consumers and more than 125 exhibitors to separate the “dis” from “ability” and open new opportunities to accessible living, independence and self-determination.

This year’s event is scheduled to take place Aug. 29. Last year’s event featured scores of exhibitors, adaptive sports demonstrations, artists with disabilities, dance, exercise, free consumer workshops and continuing education credits for professionals.


Candice Minear

Spotlight: Kansas City

by Candice Minear

My Take

The music scene in KC has grown substantially, and the city has become a must-stop for alternative bands. Concerts can cost $10 or less. Unfortunately some of the venues are older and don’t provide equal viewing opportunities for people with mobility impairments. Outside of big venues like Sprint Center and Cricket Wireless Amphitheater, most shows take place in theaters or local bars. The Midland Theater is a popular choice for its early 20th century decor and intimacy with the audience, and it provides an atmosphere like no other. Access is reasonable, but don’t expect to get to the front unless you are willing to fight the crowds. In the summer one venue worth checking out is the Crossroads Amphitheater at Grinders. It’s a little tricky to navigate going in the main entrance because wood chips cover the ground, but ask for the wheelchair entrance and you end up in the VIP section, front row stage left.

Skinny on the City

Over the last five years Kansas City — or KC as we love to call it — has been revitalized with a culinary explosion, a vibrant arts and music scene, and winning sports teams that have made it relevant to fans again. With the city’s efforts to address accessible infrastructure issues, it will soon be one of the most accessible cities in the country.

Places to Go

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is fully accessible and easy to navigate, and every third Thursday you can enjoy local bands, appetizers and adult beverages. The Crossroads neighborhood in KC hosts First Fridays March through October where local art galleries and restaurants open up to display the work of various local artists. Good luck getting around, though, as it is in one of the older neighborhoods in the city with too little accessible parking and crowded, beat-up sidewalks.

Come to the American Royal World Series of Barbecue for the ribs and stay for the rodeo.
Come to the American Royal World Series of Barbecue for the ribs and stay for the rodeo.

Every fall KC hosts the American Royal World Series of Barbecue — a whole weekend where you can walk around the Kemper Arena Grounds near the West Bottoms and downtown KC and try the stylings of the nation’s finest BBQers as they compete for the title of best barbecue. Most of the cooking/sampling takes place outside in the parking lot, and judging takes place inside the arena. At the end of the weekend enjoy a fireworks display over the river.

Spend a day at Penn Valley Park. Check out the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial and take a trip up the Liberty Memorial Tower. Afterward, roll the park sidewalks and take in the view of downtown KC. For me, Penn Valley is one of the best places in the city to check out one of the most beautiful skylines in the country, especially at night when it is all lit up, highlighting the architecture of the buildings.

Getting Around

While KC has the most highways per capita in the nation, with a metropolitan area that covers six counties across two states, the lack of public transportation for those who cannot drive is a serious problem. If you are visiting from out of town, make sure you have your own transportation or book your cab early. There are only a handful of accessible cabs. And KC is one of the few metro areas in the country that does not have some form of light rail or streetcar. Buses are accessible, but be prepared for a 45-minute or longer trip, and also be prepared to walk or roll further, since bus routes have boundaries that don’t go to the outskirts of the metro area. Accessible parking spots are few and far between downtown and in midtown — unless you pay or are up for a long stroll to get where you’re going.

Must See, Must Do

Kauffman Stadium: The world got a peek at what a great city, team, and atmosphere Kauffman Stadium brings to the game of baseball during the 2014 World Series. The accessible seating there gets you closer to the field than anywhere I have been.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: Designed by the same architect who designed the Sydney Opera House, Kauffman Center is an exquisite building with accessible seating on every level. Make sure to check out a performance by the symphony or ballet in one of its two theaters.


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