Building a More Connected Disability Community in Kansas City
Kansas City has incredible organizations supporting people with disabilities. But there's a problem: We often don’t know what everyone else is doing.
Without a clear picture of available resources, it's difficult for people to find the support they need, and for organizations to connect, collaborate, and avoid duplicating efforts.
That's why we started the KC Disability Collective (KCDC).
Born from the Disability Innovation Lab in March 2026, KCDC began with a question:
What would it take to build an entrepreneurial community where people with disabilities and chronic illnesses have the support they need to pursue their dreams?
We quickly recognized that the answer goes far beyond entrepreneurship. It's healthcare, housing, transportation, benefits navigation, education, community support, and so much more.
Connecting Resources. Building Community.
We're currently conducting a feasibility study to map disability-focused organizations across the Kansas City region, identify gaps in support, and explore opportunities for greater collaboration.
We're not trying to recreate what's already working. We're trying to connect people doing great work to help everyone’s work go further.
And we need your help!
Join the Conversation
There's a place for you in this work. Here are a few ways we can connect:
November 10 & December 8 | Virtual Disability Resource Mapping | RSVP Here
Join us virtually to explore the resources we've identified so far and help us discover what's missing. Know a great organization or program? We'd love to hear about it! You don't need to be an expert to contribute.
November 18 | Visit our Booth at GEWKC | Register for Free Here
We'll be at Union Station for Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City. Stop by the KCDC booth, meet some of the people behind the initiative, ask questions, and share your ideas. We'd love to meet you.
November 19, 9–10 a.m. | Show that Disability Access Matters | Register for Free Here
Join us at Union Station for our community conversation: Building a More Accessible Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. This free, interactive workshop is your chance to share your experiences, connect with others, and help shape what a more inclusive Kansas City could look like. Your presence demonstrates that economic inclusion of people with disabilities matters!
Help us build a more connected, accessible Kansas City by getting the right voices and perspectives in the room.
Please share these events with others who should be part of the conversation. The more voices we bring together, the stronger our community becomes.
