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

[Image description: More than a dozen people form a small crowd with several at a folding table. There are multiple, colored balloons hanging from a pop up tent. In the foreground there is a small waist-height horse.]

Celebrating the ADA: Thanks for a wonderful Fest-ABLE 2024!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our annual Fest-ABLE on Friday, July 26, such a memorable occasion. This year, we gathered to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and it was truly a day to remember!

Hundreds of community members came together at The IC offices, where they were greeted by an array of interactive activities, demonstrations of adaptive technology, adaptive gaming, and even a chance to meet miniature horses.

A special thank you goes out to Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who took time out of his busy schedule to join us and show his support for the ADA and our community. Mayor Yemi took a tour of our Independent Living classroom, and played a couple of video games utilizing adaptive gaming controllers.

[ID: In front of a blue-gray background, a man with short-cropped hair wearing a dark gray shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

Mark your calendars for next year! We look forward to celebrating the ADA's 35th anniversary with you at the end of July 2025. Until then, thank you once again for your support and for making the Fest-ABLE a highlight of our year!

Pictured: Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade (left) and Independence Center CEO Indy Frazee (right).

[Image description: A bald Black man wearing a red blazer, jeans, and a stars-and-stripes tie stands next to a White woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a blue t-shirt with The Independence Center's logo and name. Both smile at the camera.]

Share your voice with our city about accessible parking downtown

The city of Colorado Springs is developing a new plan for parking and curb management in downtown and in Old Colorado Springs, and they would like your feedback.

According to the City, "The curbside (also known as the curb lane) is the space on a street immediately adjacent to the curb. This valuable public space can be used for many purposes, including loading and unloading, bus stops, parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off, bicycling, and other uses like bike and scooter parking and outdoor dining. Curbside space in Downtown and Old Colorado City is in high demand from many people, businesses, and groups. In addition, off-street parking in lots and garages plays a key role in the parking system of these areas."

[ID: In front of a blue-gray background, a man with short-cropped hair wearing a dark gray shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

This is a great opportunity for the City to add more accessible parking, and we have a chance to let them know! Click the link below, to be taken to a map of downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City.

You can add comments to specific roads and sidewalks in the area. Click the button on the right side of the screen that says, "Take Survey."

Don't miss this chance to make your voice heard and let city planners know how we can continue to make our city a place where everyone is Known, Valued, and Included.

https://app.publiccoordinate.com/#/projects/CSParkingCurbPlanPhase1/map

[Image description: A person wearing an orange-red shirt is seated in a wheelchair which rests inside a white SUV.]

Recently, The Independence Center's Consumer Independence Fund, provided financial assistance to MJ Smith, who was able to install a Q Lock Wheelchair Docking System in her minivan.

The Q Lock is a lockdown mechanism installed in accessible vehicles making travel much easier for individuals utilizing wheelchairs. This specific lock allows MJ to rotate in the vehicle while still being secured.

"It has made traveling so much easier for me!" MJ said. "We don't have to think 'okay, get in the car 15 minutes before we're supposed to leave so we can get secured.' It's dropped our loading time a bunch!"

[ID: In front of a blue-gray background, a man with short-cropped hair wearing a dark gray shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

The IC is proud to help individuals with disabilities gain newfound independence through projects like this. Our goal remains to continue building a world where everyone is Known, Valued, & Included.

[Image description: The Olympic rings in red, blue, yellow, black, and green in the forefront. The Eiffel Tower appears in the background.]

As the thrilling moments of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, come to a close, there’s no need to turn off the TV just yet! The camaraderie, world-class competition, and sheer excitement continue with the upcoming 2024 Paralympic Games, starting on August 28.

This year’s Paralympic Games promise to be a spectacular showcase of talent and determination, featuring thousands of athletes from around the globe competing in a diverse range of sports. Since their inception in 1960, the Paralympic Games have celebrated athletic excellence among athletes with physical disabilities.

Originally focused exclusively on athletes in wheelchairs, the Paralympics expanded in 1976 to include competitors with various disabilities, reflecting a broader and more inclusive vision. Since 1980, the Paralympic Games have been held in the same city as the Olympics, further intertwining these two monumental sporting events.

Don’t miss out on the action—tune in starting August 28 to witness the extraordinary achievements and the spirit of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris!

If you'd like to learn more about the Paralympic Games, plan a visit the United States Olympic and Paralympic museum! The museum features accessible media, audio descriptions, open caption and American Sign Language (ASL) on video content, and additional accessibility services!

https://usopm.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility-and-inclusive-design/

[Image description: A man in a gray shirt using a wheelchair draws back a black bow with a rubber-tipped arrow. Text says "Don't just watch the Games. Experience them." Above the text, a logo that says "Visit Colorado Springs" and below, a logo that says "United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum."

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: https://www.theindependencecenter.org/