Its history
While the actual founding of CPRF occurred in 1972, the Foundation's roots reach back into the late 1940s to the beginning of the United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas. From its base at Wichita's Institute of Logopedics, UCPK sought to address the needs of people with cerebral palsy. UCPK became an advocate of those needs with state and federal governments, introducing legislation at both levels, which would have lasting consequences in healthier, happier lives for thousands of people.
In the late 1960s, the Kansas Jaycees chartered the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and purchased a ranch near Augusta, Kan. CPRF's residential support programs were initiated at the ranch soon after and young people with cerebral palsy discovered recreational opportunities that were previously unavailable.
Founding of CPRF
The most pressing need in the early 1970s swirled around young adults with cerebral palsy. These young people were emerging from private educational programs, but they had nowhere to go from there. John F. "Jack" Jonas Jr., CPRF Founder and President Emeritus, worked with these young people as a speech pathologist at the Institute of Logopedics. While watching them grow, he saw their hopes dashed in the days of their greatest promise.
After being repeatedly challenged by a former student to find a way for people with disabilities to gain viable employment, Jonas focused his energies on a new venture. This new direction took him to a manufacturing plant in Australia where rehabilitation engineering was used to modify equipment and workstations, making it possible for people with disabilities to accept integrated, competitive employment.
In 1972, Jonas enlisted the help of community leaders and state legislators to establish CPRF. Accepting the position of chairman of the board was Daniel M. Carney, co-founder of Pizza Hut, who remains at the helm today. With guidance from its diverse board of directors, CPRF pressed forward to create the opportunities people with disabilities needed to experience the dignity that comes with being employed, and living as independently as possible.
Progress was immediate
In 1972, the first Rehabilitation Engineering Grant from the Kansas Department of Vocational Education was awarded to the Wichita State University College of Engineering, Wichita, Kan. Through this cooperative endeavor with the engineers at WSU, CPRF brought technology to the aid of people with physical disabilities. That technology led to workplace adaptations - making inclusion possible.
In 1975, CPRF took a giant stride toward the goal of workplace inclusion with the opening of Center Industries Corporation, an independent manufacturing facility that employs people with disabilities. From the beginning it was understood that, like its employees, Center would stand or fall on its own merits. It would seek contracts in the open marketplace, produce its goods and sell them. Center's first contract came from the state of Kansas through the manufacturing of license plates, a project previously undertaken out of state. Center now produces a variety of components and assemblies for its customers - both governmental and commercial.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
The engineering achievements that made large-scale employment of people with physical disabilities possible at Center Industries Corporation were recognized in 1976 when CPRF and the College of Engineering at the Wichita State University became a National Rehabilitation Engineering Center. One of only 16 such facilities in the United States, the RERC project continued until 1998, receiving its funding through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
The RERC focused on the use of technology in the vocational environment and how it could be used to enhance independence for people with severe physical disabilities in school and home environments. The final RERC program included eight projects, including mental workload assessments of individuals using non-standard computer interfacing, physiological capacities for work of people with neuro-physical impairments, and development of integrated input systems and computer interface.
A critical link
CPRF forged a critical link in its chain of supportive services with the opening of The Timbers in 1979. The Timbers apartment complex, located on the CPRF campus in northeast Wichita, Kan., created new options in independent living. With 100 apartments available to people with disabilities, The Timbers provided people with accessible housing and a sense of community.
With the birth of accessible transportation through what is known today as Timber Lines Transportation Services, the support base was established and CPRF turned its attention to the hard-and-fast increase of sales volume at Center Industries.
Lasting relationships
Over the years, the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas has forged many lasting relationships with individuals, corporations and foundations. Corporations like the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Koch Industries, Raytheon Aircraft, Cessna Aircraft and foundations like the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the William T. Kemper Foundation, the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation, along with many individuals have supported CPRF in its efforts to create greater independence for children and adults with disabilities.
Reaching out
CPRF took its expertise overseas in 1982, delivering hardware for the Available Motions Inventory to the government of Egypt. Developed by CPRF's rehabilitation engineers, the inventory made possible a precise assessment of a person's capacity to perform various movements useful in a work environment.
The following year, CPRF began operation of the Transit Company; a specialized program designed to help people with physical disabilities to learn basic living skills. Its prospects for success grew significantly that same year when the National Institute of Handicapped Research announced a five-year grant to CPRF and the WSU Rehabilitation Engineering Center.
CPRF's engineering capabilities achieved a new focus in 1986 with the dedication of the Daniel M. Carney Rehabilitation Engineering Center, where engineers and technicians can respond with speed and efficiency to individual needs - from customized wheelchairs and repairs, to work and home modifications.
Kansas' first program for adults with brain injury
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation has a long history of responding to needs of people with disabilities throughout the state. CPRF's Gateway Vocational Program is a prime example of CPRF's dedication to service. In 2001, the Gateway Program was transistioned to the Wichita Independent Resource Living Center.
In 1983, CPRF opened the Transit Company, a "basic training" program designed to help individuals with disabilities "get a running start" at community living while they waited on long waiting lists for openings in traditional community programs.
Almost immediately, families began calling, asking for admission for their son or daughter who had sustained a severe brain injury , a disability for which there was no "cure" and no community service. People who sustain brain injury suffer permanent damage to their brains, resulting in memory loss, behavioral changes, and, without intense rehabilitation, remain dependent on their families or society for life. Because the Transit Company was an atypical training program, CPRF decided to accept the challenge to admit people with brain injury.
After three years, CPRF recognized the need to develop a more appropriate program for brain injury survivors. Brain Injury is not a "transitional" disability. Supported by a grant from the Wesley Foundation, subsequently to become the Kansas Health Foundation, CPRF staff spent 1996 visiting other community based brain injury programs throughout the Mid-West.
In 1988 CPRF launched the Gateway Vocational Options program, armed with the knowledge gained through the Wesley Foundation grant and supported by a grant from the Kansas Rehabilitation Services. Adults with brain injuries, for the first time, were assisted with community integration and supported employment in Kansas. CPRF contracted with Goodwill Industries/ Easter Seal of Kansas to provide supported employment.
In 1992, CPRF staff worked with a state-wide committee to develop the first Medcaid waiver program in the country to assist adults with brain injury to live in the community. CPRF provided service through the Gateway Community Options program
Thanks to CPRF's dedication, adults with brain injury have been served through the Gateway Program. They live ordinary lives throughout Kansas as students, parents, neighbors and employees.
Today and beyond
Today, led by President and CEO Patrick T. Jonas , and with the refinement of CPRF's programs over nearly three decades of service, comes the possibility of sharing with the world what has been learned in Wichita, Kan. The foundation's mission has been sharpened to provide individuals with disabilities customized services, supports and technologies to facilitate their chosen economic and personal independence, with an emphasis on employment and training options. Those options include the world of technology through the School of Adaptive Computer Training to expanding the manufacturing customer base at Center Industries Corporation.
