2006
On July 24, 2006, the Institute opened a second location in Southern Johnson County, located at 7301 W 133rd Street, Suite 102, Overland Park, KS 66213. The South location provides day treatment and outpatient services to adults who have experienced strokes, traumatic brain injuries and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Driving Evaluation and Training is also offered at the new site. RI Industries began exploring additional off-site work opportunities for client-workers. Area businesses benefit from the availability of a quality, cost-effective service and our clients gain added experience to help in their transition to competitive employment. American Ingredients Company was the first company to receive offsite support. The Institute received a grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation for the first time. The grant provided funding for EXCEL for Life, a fitness and adaptive sports program for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

2005
The Workforce Development Board of West Central Missouri selected the Rehabilitation Institute, working in partnership with Job Point of Columbia, MO, to provide adult dislocated workers and youth services in west central Missouri. Charitable support allowed the purchase of a LiteGate System—a sophisticated treadmill system which provides weight bearing support to individuals who are learning to walk again. The Driving Evaluation and Training program acquired two new training cars. R.I. Industries gained a contract with Sceptor Industries to provide highly purified water, some of which is used by the US Postal Service to clean machines used for testing bio-hazardous materials. The Institute's Extended Work Adjustment Program satellite workshops moved from 2801 Wyandotte to the Institute's primary location at 3011 Baltimore. The Institute received a $525,000 gift from the estate of Mary H. Kinkaid nearly 35 years after her death at the age of 101. In addition to the planned gift from Mrs. Kinkaid, the Institute also received a $100,000 donation from an anonymous donor.

2004
The Institute was selected as a charitable partner by Ameristar Casino Kansas City. Through Ameristar Cares Workplace Giving Campaign, the Institute received a donation that was matched by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and Ameristar Casino. The gift represents the largest corporate gift in our history. A Day at the Lake, our annual water sports event for persons with spinal cord injuries, celebrated its tenth year. The Institute reorganized the service delivery model for Employment Placement Services resulting in significant cost savings and improved efficiency and responsiveness for clients and referral services. Through Sharing Power, the Institute's Board of Directors and management staff completed a cultural proficiency assessment, received assessment feedback and recommendations from Project Equality. They also participated in a four-hour cultural proficiency training session.

2003
Arts on the Hill, an international juried art exhibit for artists with disabilities, celebrated its first year. Arts on the Hill was created as an extension of our mission to Build Brighter Futures for children and adults with disabilities. The Memory Clinic, founded in 1985 by Dr. Lynn Lyon and operated out of Research Medical Center, moved to its current home at the Rehabilitation Institute. It provides comprehensive outpatient evaluation and support to individuals seeking diagnosis, treatment, and education regarding symptoms of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

2001
New Vocational Office opened in St. Joseph Missouri. Inpatient Unit is closed as a result of the closing of Trinity Lutheran Hospital, our neighbor and contract provider of key ancillary medical services needed to operate an inpatient rehab unit. The Institute regroups with concern and compassion given to affected patients and staff. The Institute participates in a state certification process and becomes a Certified provider of outpatient rehabilitation services and has approval to bill Medicare and Medicaid for services.

2000
The Center for Blindness and Low Vision Program left the Institute and joined forces with Alphapointe. A Pediatric Therapeutic Playground was built and opened in June.

1999
Renovation was completed on the second floor inpatient unit. This included the addition of technological advances, reconfiguration of patient rooms and general aesthetic upgrades. The Pediatric Program expanded services to Belton, MO.

1998
Phase I of the renovation plan was completed. The first floor public and program areas were completely renovated, making the space more aesthetically pleasing and functional for service delivery.

1997
The Rehabilitation Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary. Renovation plans were developed and approved. Employment Support Services were expanded to Johnson County satellite.

1996
Ron Herrick joined The Institute as the 4th President. The Board of Directors developed a strategic plan to take the Institute into the 21st century. Blind Focus changed its name to The Center for Blindness and Low Vision (CBLV).

1995
The Driving Program continued to expand and began to provide services in St. Joseph, Missouri. Another vocational satellite opened in Warrensburg.

1994
The Driving Program expanded to Menorah Medical and the Institute took over the management of rehabilitation services on Trinity Campus. The Adult Day Treatment Program is established and the Pediatric Program moved to an expanded space with a focus on day treatment.

1992
The Institute established its phsychiatry residency program with University of Kansas Medical School.

1991
The Rehabilitation Institute joined Health Midwest. The Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired adopted a new name, Blind Focus and moved to new facilities at 2801 Wyandotte which is part of Trinity North.

1989
A Post Polio Clinic is opened and Extended Work Adjustment Shop moved to 8th and Charlotte.

1988
The Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired expanded to include a residential living component. The Blind Program moved to 31st and Main. Computerized Functional Electrical Stimulation Program (REGYS/ERGYS), a cutting edge technology program, was added to the medical services.

1987
The Low Tech Program for Older Adults was added to respond to the growing senior population and Kansas City Wheelchair Road and Track became affiliated with The Institute.

1986
The Institute opened another satellite vocational office in Independence.

1985
Vocational services continued to see rapid growth and 4 new programs were added: Computer Training for the Blind, School-to-Work Transitional Employment, the Windmills Project for area employers and the Work Capacity Program.

1984
A new 20,000 square foot satellite work adjustment shop, funded by the Jackson County Board of Services for Developmentally Disabled, was built at 12th and Troost.

1983
EXCEL a fitness/wellness program for the disabled began. The head injury program was evaluated and then completely re-organized to respond to the needs of the disabled patient. Work sites in the Industry Program were established and clerical retraining services began serving the clients.

1979
Medical services began to grow. The pediatric program expanded to satellite locations. Recreational therapy and the Drivers Evaluation and Training Program were added to the services provided.

1975
Growth continued and space was at a premium. The vocational program’s Regional Work Adjustment Shop moved to 610 E. 22nd.

1974
A satellite work adjustment shop was established at 2910 Grand. This workshop was Missouri’s first facility based Compensatory Skills Training Program for the blind adult.

1973
The vocational program continued to grow rapidly and job-seeking services were added.

1969
In February The Institute moved to its current location at 30th and Main. This new building, a model for barrier-free design, was specifically designed as a rehabilitation facility. The new inpatient unit led the Institute to become the first licensed rehabilitation hospital in Missouri. It also was the first facility in the region to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Also during this time, pediatric services were added to help the many children disabled by polio. Job skill training services were added to the Vocational Program.

1951
Another loan made it possible to purchase a larger facility at 3600 Troost. Approval as a United Way agency provided further funding stability. During those years the Institute began offering social and psychological services, speech and hearing therapy and enlarged its vocational workshops to include evaluation, pre-vocational testing and placement services. Eventually the facility expanded to 3621 and 3625 Troost. Soon the Institute was reaching over 1600 patients and clients yearly.

1949
The Institute’s reputation grew and it moved to 31st and Gillham Plaza. A 3-year grant from the Kansas City Association of Trusts and Foundations enabled the Institute to expand its services to more patients.

1947
In November, with $7,500 from the Easter Seal Society, the Junior League and the National Foundation, the Institute opened its doors in a loft located at 2700 McGee Trafficway. In its first year, the staff of 4, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a workshop supervisor and the director, Mrs. Vivian Davis Shepherd, served 141 patients.

1946
Disabled World War II servicemen were returning home and the need for rehabilitation services was overwhelming. Here, as well as all over the nation, the rehabilitation movement was still in its infancy. Responding to this need the Kansas City Health Council of the Council of Social Agencies conducted a study that recommended the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation center to meet the needs of Kansas City’s severely disabled. The idea to put medical and vocational services all under one roof was a unique and innovative idea. From this study, The Rehabilitation Institute began.

Several organizations formed the incorporating body of the Institute: The Jackson County Medical Society; Goodwill Industries; Jackson County Society for Crippled Children-Easter Seal Society; United Jewish Social Services-Jewish Family and Children Services; Kansas City Junior League; Jackson County Chapter-The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis-March of Dimes; Visiting Nurse Association; and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Two additional organizations were added in 1949, the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae of Kansas City, Missouri and the Presidents and Past Presidents General Assembly. The presidents of all these organizations along with other community leaders formed the first Board of Directors.