Sheriff's Office, disability advocates host community event at fairgrounds Tuesday

Law enforcement and disability advocates are planning a 5 to 7 p.m. gathering at the Douglas County Fairgrounds that is aimed at more than a handshake. The event will bring the Douglas County Sheriff's Office together with the Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas, giving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and neighbors a chance to talk with deputies, hear safety information and build familiarity before an emergency or a routine encounter ever happens.

Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas is a statewide advocacy group made up of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, most of whom receive services through the Kansas Developmental Disabilities Service System. The group says its mission is to promote empowerment and independence, support the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and teach people to speak up for themselves. Its outreach takes SACK to partner and community events across Kansas to talk about disability issues, civil rights and advocacy.

In Lawrence, that work has a home base. The Douglas County Human Services Building houses SACK and The Arc of Douglas County, along with other service agencies. The Arc says it works with SACK to support self-advocate leaders as trainers and advocates and to bring forward the consumer voice on issues that shape daily life. That local connection gives the fairgrounds event a deeper reach than a single evening program, tying it to an existing network of advocates and county services.

Sheriff Jay Armbrister’s office says community relations are already part of its broader mission, with school and community events used to strengthen ties across Douglas County. The office also invites residents to request the sheriff’s presence at community events, signaling that visibility and conversation are part of how the department approaches public safety. For residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, that kind of outreach can matter when officers and community members are trying to bridge communication gaps and reduce uncertainty.

SACK’s public calendar has continued to show statewide events and conferences, including appearances at Douglas County disability-community gatherings. That active schedule suggests the fairgrounds event fits a larger push for public education and advocacy, not a one-night appearance. In a county where disability services, family support and law enforcement all intersect, the value of the evening will likely be measured by whether it leaves behind stronger relationships and clearer lines of communication.