Independence
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersLawrence, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Independence does
Independence, Inc. is a private nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) founded in 1978 and headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, that delivers community-based disability services, advocacy, and education across five Kansas counties (Douglas, Jefferson, Franklin, Wyandotte, and Johnson) through two offices in Lawrence and Kansas City, KS. The organization provides the five federally recognized CIL core services - information and referral, individual and systems advocacy, independent living skills training, peer support and counseling, and nursing home transition/deinstitutionalization - supplemented by an accessible transportation fleet (Lawrence, Douglas County, and out-of-town medical rides), a publicly accessible computer lab equipped with screen readers, magnification, voice input, alternative keyboards, and a Braille printer, Braille translation services, a Medical Equipment Loan Bank, Financial Management Services for HCBS personal care attendants, and the Accessible Housing Program for home modifications.
Beyond core services, Independence operates several specialized programs including WORK (Work Opportunities Reward Kansans) and STEPS under the Kansas Working Healthy Medicaid framework, the Kansas Youth Transition Network (KYTN) for youth ages 10-24 funded by the Kansas Department of Education's Pathways to Partnership grant, and the Kansas Telecommunication Access Program (TAP) access site. Headcount is approximately 30 staff across program management, core services, transportation, youth transition, FMS/billing, and community engagement roles, led by Executive Director Jill Dudley.
The revenue model is overwhelmingly grant- and donation-funded rather than fee-based: primary inflows are government grants (City of Lawrence Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Medicaid/HCBS), individual and corporate charitable contributions, and a modest fee schedule (Braille at $0.40-$5.00 per page or document; transportation at $3-$30 per ride; computer lab printing at $0.10 per page). Services to consumers are largely free of charge, positioning Independence as a community-embedded safety-net provider rather than a commercial entity.
Independence firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Independence
- Legal name
- Independence, Inc.
- Website
- https://independenceinc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Independence industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services and Independent Living Support
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Independent Living Skills Training (ADLs/IADLs) (EDAKANAG), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB)
Keywords
Where Independence is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lawrence
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Independence business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from government grants including City of Lawrence Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Kansas Department of Education grants (KYTN), and Kansas Department of Health and Environment programs. Services are largely free to consumers.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, recurring gifts, planned/major giving, and corporate giving programs. Accepts one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, and legacy planned gifts through Douglas County Community Foundation.
- Service Fees: Modest fees for specific services including Braille services ($5 per document, $0.80 per double-sided page), transportation ($3-$30 per ride), computer lab printing ($0.10 per page), and equipment loan program (suggested donation amounts).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Braille Services - Electronic Document Conversion |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Braille Printing - Double-Sided Pages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Braille Printing - Single-Sided Pages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Braille Services - Major Changes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | City Rides - Lawrence city limits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | County Rides - Douglas County |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Out-of-Town Medical Rides |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Computer Lab Printing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Independence product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Independence, Inc. is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) providing community-based disability services including advocacy, independent living skills training, peer support, nursing home transition/deinstitutionalization, information and referral, accessible transportation, home modifications, Braille services, and employment programs across five Kansas counties. The organization operates two offices in Lawrence and Kansas City, KS, delivering the five federally mandated core services plus specialized programs such as the WORK Program, STEPS Program, Kansas Youth Transition Network, and a medical equipment loan bank.
Product overview
Independence, Inc. is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) offering a comprehensive suite of disability services across five Kansas counties. The organization operates two offices (Lawrence and Kansas City, KS) providing five core services: Information and Referral, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support and Peer Counseling, and Nursing Home Transition/Deinstitutionalization. Beyond core services, the portfolio includes specialized programs such as the WORK and STEPS employment programs (under Kansas Working Healthy), the Kansas Youth Transition Network (KYTN) for youth ages 10-24, the Accessible Housing Program for home modifications, and the Medical Equipment Loan Bank. Additional offerings encompass transportation services, Braille services, Financial Management Services, a public-access Computer Lab, and Business and Community Support Services. These services are designed to maximize independence for people with disabilities through advocacy, peer support, training, transportation, and community education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WORK Program (Work Opportunities Reward Kansans): Independent Living Counseling services offered under the Kansas Working Healthy Program, providing employment incentives for people with disabilities who want to work.
- STEPS Program (Supports and Training for Employing People Successfully)
- Kansas Youth Transition Network (KYTN)
- Kansas Telecommunication Access Program (TAP)
Products and services
- Information and Referral Services
- Advocacy Services
- Independent Living Skills Training
- Peer Support and Peer Counseling
- Nursing Home Transition/Deinstitutionalization
- General Public Transportation
- Accessible Housing Program
- Braille Services
- Kansas Youth Transition Network (KYTN)
- WORK Program (Work Opportunities Reward Kansans)
- STEPS Program (Supports and Training for Employing People Successfully)
- Kansas Telecommunication Access Program (TAP)
- Medical Equipment Loan Bank
- Financial Management Services/PASS
- Computer Lab
- Youth Transition Services
- Business and Community Support Services
Companies that use Independence
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Independence technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Independence partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) - Kansas Syndromic Surveillance ProgramcorePartnership announced August 1, 2025 with KDHE Kansas Syndromic Surveillance Program in a nationally recognized effort to improve how real-time healthcare discharge data reflects the experiences of people with disabilities during disasters and extreme weather events.
- Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL)coreKACIL partnership with KDHE to improve visibility into disability needs during disasters. Independence, Inc. participates as a Center for Independent Living in this statewide initiative to enhance emergency preparedness data for people with disabilities.
- Lawrence-Douglas County Housing AuthorityminorPartnership providing information and referrals for affordable housing options. Joint agency of City and County governments with mission to provide safe and affordable housing to Douglas County residents.
- Housing Stabilization CollaborativeminorCommunity collaborative amongst local service agencies with funding available to low income individuals or families needing short-term rent assistance. Independence, Inc. provides referrals to this program.
- Youth Transition Alliance of Wyandotte CountycorePartnership with Kansas City area service providers, educators, advocates, youth with disabilities and their families to bring individualized resources, programs and services to youth in Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
- Tenants to HomeownersminorReferral partnership for affordable rental homes in Lawrence for those with very low incomes (60% or less than median income) and first-time homebuyer programs.
- Kansas TAP Program (ATK, University of Kansas)corePartnership with the University of Kansas Accessible Technology Kansas (ATK) program providing specialized telecommunications equipment to Kansans with disabilities. Independence, Inc. serves as a Kansas TAP access site.
- Douglas County Community CorrectionsminorBoard member Milton Scott serves as Adult Services Officer/Community Services Coordinator, connecting Independence, Inc. with county services for people with disabilities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Independence competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Kansas: A neighboring Kansas CIL serving the Topeka area; offers overlapping core CIL services to the same regional population, making it a direct regional peer of Independence, Inc.
Direct peers
- Ability360: Ability360 is a Center for Independent Living in Arizona providing the same federally-mandated five core services plus independent living skills training, advocacy, and youth transition programming — directly comparable to Independence, Inc.'s CIL service model.
- The Independence Center: The Independence Center is a Colorado Springs CIL offering advocacy, independent living skills, peer support, nursing home transition, and youth services — a near-identical service suite and structure to Independence, Inc.
- Access Center for Independent Living: Access CIL serves the Bronx and lower Westchester as a federally-designated CIL, offering the same five core services and youth transition programming under an operating model closely aligned with Independence, Inc.
- Progress Center for Independent Living: Progress CIL is an Illinois-based Center for Independent Living delivering independent living skills training, advocacy, peer support, and transition services — directly comparable in mission and service mix to Independence, Inc.
- Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY: CIDNY is a New York-based CIL providing independent living skills, advocacy, benefits counseling, and nursing home transition — directly comparable to Independence, Inc.'s CIL service portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Easterseals: Easterseals is a national disability services nonprofit providing independent living, employment, and accessibility services at much greater scale; competes for similar federal/state funding pools and disability service contracts.
- The Arc: The Arc is a national disability advocacy and services organization with state and local chapters delivering independent living, advocacy, and case management services — a broader incumbent in the same disability services space.
- National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): NCIL is the national membership and advocacy body for Centers for Independent Living; not a service-delivery peer, but a direct strategic comparator as the convener and policy voice for the CIL network Independence, Inc. operates within.
Emerging players
- Whole Person: Whole Person is a Kansas City-area disability services nonprofit providing independent living, employment, and housing services — directly comparable to Independence, Inc.'s Kansas City, KS office and overlapping in the same Wyandotte/Johnson County service territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Independence social profiles
Digital presenceIndependence financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Independence leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Independence funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Independence M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Independence
What does Independence do?
Independence, Inc. is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) providing community-based disability services including advocacy, independent living skills training, peer support, nursing home transition/deinstitutionalization, information and referral, accessible transportation, home modifications, Braille services, and employment programs across five Kansas counties. The organization operates two offices in Lawrence and Kansas City, KS, delivering the five federally mandated core services plus specialized programs such as the WORK Program, STEPS Program, Kansas Youth Transition Network, and a medical equipment loan bank.
Is Independence a public or private company?
Independence is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Independence founded?
Independence was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Independence based?
Independence is headquartered in Lawrence, United States, in the North America region.
How does Independence make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions and service Fees.
Who are Independence's main competitors?
Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Kansas is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Ability360, The Independence Center, Access Center for Independent Living, Progress Center for Independent Living and Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY. Broad incumbents are Easterseals, The Arc and National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). Whole Person is listed as an emerging player.
Does Independence have an API?
No public API is recorded for Independence.
What industry is Independence in?
Independence's product category is Disability Services and Independent Living Support. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.