![Burst background](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4dba96_0ad88f2953bb463a98a283733ced161e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_15,h_14,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4dba96_0ad88f2953bb463a98a283733ced161e~mv2.png)
History of
Beyond Barriers
We began operation on January 15, 1997 as “The Hutch Center,” part of the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC). We became a separate entity June 16, 1998 and were named Prairie Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. or (PILR). In 1997, there were 6 full-time and 1 part-time staff.
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Over the years, the staff has increased, and we now have three offices (Pratt, Dodge City and Hutchinson), and serve consumers across 15 counties: Harvey, McPherson, Reno, Pratt, Kingman, Harper, Barber, Kiowa, Clark, Stafford, Edwards, Ness, Hodgeman, Comanche, and Ford.
![Prairie Independent Living Resource Center ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4dba96_107387b1896b44efa97484cdd44b0aba~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_98,h_74,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4dba96_107387b1896b44efa97484cdd44b0aba~mv2.png)
![Ribbon cutting in front of PILR office](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4dba96_e94ffa86545d4ba1a528d62f09b9b840~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_98,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4dba96_e94ffa86545d4ba1a528d62f09b9b840~mv2.jpeg)
In 2000 the center established a fee-for-service contract with Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) to provide services such as Braille literacy, computer training, and independent living skills training to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
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Because we are aware of the barriers to integrated competitive employment faced by job seekers with disabilities, a payment for performance contract was established in 2003 with KRS to provide highly individualized job development, placement, and follow-up services.
Today, we celebrate our 25th anniversary with a new name, Beyond Barriers, but we provide the same incredible, life-changing services we have for the past quarter century.
![Beyond Barriers Logo](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4dba96_ad69ceb0a7a14e8f9b26445f32aa78d7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_68,h_30,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/BB%20Logo-Tagline.png)
Beyond Barriers is proud to celebrate 25 years of service and advocacy, and to continue to play a vital role in the network of Independent Living Services in Kansas.
![Two women walking with white canes](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4dba96_619fa8c9ece14153aa5b85d0659e339f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_98,h_74,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4dba96_619fa8c9ece14153aa5b85d0659e339f~mv2.jpeg)