Building a world where everyone is Known, Valued, & Included

[Image description: Inside the State Capitol building, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, a woman with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair wearing black and holding a black folder, looks at a woman with shoulder-length dark blonde hair whose back is to the camera. To the right, a man with short dark brown hair seated in a wheelchair watches the conversation.]

Advocating for people with disabilities at DRAD!

On Thursday, March 7, staff from The IC joined partner organizations from across Colorado at the State Capitol building in Denver to observe and celebrate Disability Rights Advocacy Day (DRAD).

For the past several years, Disability Rights Advocacy Day has been an opportunity to provide visibility and voice to people with disabilities - and the organizations that represent them - to all levels of government in Colorado.

This year, the event featured disability advocates and organizers as well as several Colorado representatives, all of whom outlined upcoming legislation and action being taken to increase accessibility in Colorado.

[ID: In front of a gray background, a white woman with brown hair wearing a black shirt signs in American Sign Language (ASL).]

The IC is sponsoring SB24-019, a bill intended to expand the state program which allows people with disabilities to receive remuneration-exempt disability parking placards. These placards exempt their holders from paying at metered parking. Jim Vacik, one of The IC's Board members, spoke about his experience as someone who uses a wheelchair and how these placards allow him to participate more fully in the community and daily life.

Colorado Representative David Ortiz is sponsoring HB24-1360, which will create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) within the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The goal of this department will be to implement strategies statewide to make sure that people with disabilities have the economic stability that all Coloradans deserve.

“As I enter my final legislative session, I’m beyond proud of the laws we’ve passed over the years to improve basic access and look forward to a future where the accessibility issues faced by my community are fully addressed,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, via ColoHouseDems.com. “Alongside disability advocates and state leaders, we’re taking the lead on breaking down accessibility barriers faced by our neighbors to create a safer, more equitable Colorado for all.

Additional bills highlighted at the conference included:

• HB24-1067, Ballot Access for Candidates with Disabilities, requiring the continuation of the caucus process to make it more accessible for people with disabilities to run for office. The bill would also require video conferencing participation options for a precinct caucus or a party assembly, unless they do not have access to a broadband network provider.
• HB24-1165, Accessibility at Denver International Airport (DIA), mandating basic access in specific areas of DIA, including certain minimum accessibility features such as way-finding features and accessible bathrooms with changing tables in each concourse. This bill would also establish an advisory committee within the airport to support expanding and improving accessibility features as the airport grow.

Other priority bills outlined by Rep. Ortiz include preventing evictions (HB24-1098), updating prescription drug labels to be more accessible to those who have a difficult time seeing or reading (HB24-1115), modifying rental units for those with a disability (HB24-1318), improving access to EV charging stations (HB-1161), increasing access to testifying in public meetings (HB1168), and supporting youth with disabilities in school (HB24-1063), among others.

The IC was thrilled to sponsor DRAD! This meeting of Colorado's various disability advocates and organizations was a powerful and inspiring reminder of the achievements that have been won, as well as the work yet to do. We encourage everyone to become an advocate, whether through systems-level advocacy or self-advocacy. Let your voice be heard!

Together with our partners throughout the state, The IC remains committed as always to creating a world where everyone can be Known, Valued, and Included.

[Image description: In front of a wall of plaques and photos, a man with short brown hair wearing a dark polo shirt and khaki pants is speaking to four people directly across from him in a hallway. The first person is a woman with tied-back brown hair wearing black clothing and a blue lanyard. The second is a woman with dark hair and glasses wearing a black jacket. The third is a man wearing a black polo shirt and black pants and is seated in a wheelchair. The fourth is a man with short black hair and glasses wearing khaki pants and a long-sleeved light orange shirt.]

On Tuesday, March 12, four staff members from The IC visited the Colorado Springs Police Department Training Academy to participate in a panel discussion on disability awareness with CSPD recruits.

Our team was able to share important information about disability and how to successfully accommodate people with disabilities in police interactions. They were able to answer questions from the recruits and provide real-world examples.

The IC is proud to help make sure our community is safe for everyone, including those with a disability.

The IC offers a variety of disability-related trainings for businesses and community partners, including: Building and Facility Accessibility, Disability Etiquette and Language, Removing Barriers for Employees with a Disability, Service Dog Etiquette, and more. If your organization or company is interested in scheduling one of our no-cost trainings, please email Maria Cordova, our Community Outreach Coordinator, at mcordova@the-ic.org.



[ID: In front of a gray background, a white woman with brown hair wearing a black shirt signs in American Sign Language (ASL).]

[Image description: In a blue circle, the words "MS Awareness Month" above a logo of two blue angles with red circles in between the arms of the angles. At the bottom are the blue letters "msaa."]

"Improving Lives Through Supportive Connection"

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is a neurological disorder currently affecting almost one million Americans. The disease causes the immune system to misidentify and attack part of the body's nervous system.

MS can be an invisible disability for many who have been diagnosed with it. However, it can also affect mobility in very visible ways and cause some to utilize wheelchairs or other assistive devices.

At The Independence Center, we provide resources and information to those with both visible AND invisible disabilities.

To learn more about MS and how you can observe this month, click the following link:

https://mymsaa.org/about-msaa/ms-awareness-month-2024/

[ID: In front of a blueish background, a white woman with brown hair wearing a black shirt signs in American Sign Language, (ASL).]

[Image description: Several dozen faceless, person-shaped figures stand shoulder to shoulder in several uneven rows. Each figure's face and body is a different color. On the bottom left in a round yellow shape, the words "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2024. A World of Opportunities." On the bottom right, a blue circle with the letters "#DDAM2024" in white.]

Observe Developmental Disability Awareness Month this March

According to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), the theme for Developmental Disabilities Month, 2024, is "A World of Opportunities." The theme represents the goal of removing barriers, thereby enabling those with developmental disabilities to thrive.

This month (and every month) we can ask what may stand in the way of people with developmental disabilities working to achieve their dreams? How can we remove these barriers so that our society can know, value, and include people with developmental disabilities?

Please visit the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities' website at the following link to learn more about the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting in the communities in which they live.

https://nacdd.org/ddam1/

[ID: In front of a blueish background, a white woman with brown hair wearing a black shirt signs in American Sign Language, (ASL).]

Peer Support Calendar

Classes and events at The IC provide opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and try new things in a supportive environment! Up to date classes and events can always be found on our website's event calendar.