Center for People With Disabilities

02/25/2026

Low Vision Awareness Month: Understanding Low Vision, the Numbers, and the Power of Community...https://www.cpwd.org/blog/low-vision-awareness-month

02/11/2026

Disability rights didn’t happen by accident — they happened because people showed up.

This February, advocates across Colorado are coming together to honor the history of the disability rights movement and take that work directly to the State Capitol through Disability Rights Advocacy Day (DRAD). It’s a day for people with disabilities, families, and allies to share real stories with lawmakers and remind them that policies around housing, healthcare, transportation, and community living affect real lives.

This year’s DRAD is happening Thursday, February 12, and we want your voice in the room.

You don’t need to be a policy expert — your lived experience is what matters most.

Read more about why this day matters and what to expect at DRAD by following the link in our bio, and register to join us at the Capitol.

Your story belongs at the table. Let’s show up together.

02/11/2026

Disability rights didn’t happen by accident — they happened because people showed up.

This February, advocates across Colorado are coming together to honor the history of the disability rights movement and take that work directly to the State Capitol through Disability Rights Advocacy Day (DRAD). It’s a day for people with disabilities, families, and allies to share real stories with lawmakers and remind them that policies around housing, healthcare, transportation, and community living affect real lives.

This year’s DRAD is happening on Thursday, February 12, and we want your voice in the room.

You don’t need to be a policy expert — your lived experience is what matters most.

Read more about why this day matters and what to expect at DRAD in our latest blog, and register to join us at the Capitol.

Your story belongs at the table. Let’s show up together.

Disability rights are civil rights — and they require ongoing advocacy to remain strong. This February, advocates across Colorado are gathering to honor the movement’s history and bring their voices directly to lawmakers through Disability Rights Advocacy Day (DRAD). This annual event turns awar...

02/09/2026

Last year, disability advocates from across Colorado came together at the Capitol to share stories, meet with lawmakers, and stand up for the right to live independently. 💬♿

Disability Rights Advocacy Day (DRAD) is a chance for people with disabilities, families, and allies to be heard where decisions are made. The conversations that happen in those hallways shape real policies that affect housing, healthcare, transportation, and community living.

This year, we’re heading back to the Capitol on Thursday, February 12 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM — and we want you there with us.

You don’t need to be a policy expert. You just need your experience, your voice, and your belief that people with disabilities belong in every part of community life.

Join Center for People With Disabilities and advocates from across the state for a day of connection, learning, and action.

📍 Colorado State Capitol
📅 Thursday, February 12
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Your story matters. Your voice belongs in the room. Let’s show up together.

Register to attend by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disability-rights-advocacy-day-2026-d-rad-tickets-1978999741500?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

01/29/2026

Grief. Anger. Fear. Love. Hope.
Right now, many of us are carrying all of it.

In the wake of the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good, communities across the country are asking hard questions about justice, safety, and what kind of society we want to build. At CPWD, we’re reflecting on this moment through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community and how that vision connects deeply with the Independent Living Movement and disability justice.

His vision is a roadmap to navigate these divisive times and create a community founded in peace and dignity once again.

It’s about nonviolence as strength.
It’s about interdependence, not isolation.
It’s about building trust, dignity, and belonging across differences.

If you’ve been feeling the weight of this moment and wondering what comes next, this article is for you.

Read: www.cpwd.org/blog/from-grief-to-action-the-beloved-community-as-our-roadmap

As February is Black History Month, it is an opportune time to reflect on the tensions of today with the vision of one of history’s greatest Civil Right’s leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King held a vision of the Beloved Community , a society where justice is lived, not merely argued; where ...

01/23/2026

✨ New on the CPWD Blog! ✨

2025 was a year of connection, growth, and meaningful impact — and now we’re keeping the momentum going. In our latest article, 2026: Continuing the Work That Builds Independent Living, we share how CPWD is expanding services, strengthening partnerships, and advancing advocacy that supports people with disabilities in living with dignity, choice, and independence.

From core independent living supports to employment and benefits counseling, youth and older adult initiatives, and new collaborations for emergency preparedness — we’re excited to continue this work alongside our community in 2026. Dive into what’s ahead and how you can be part of this movement for inclusion and equity. 💪📘

👉 Read the full article: https://www.cpwd.org/blog/2026-continuing-the-work-that-builds-independent-living

In this article, we want to share what CPWD is working on in 2026, where we are focusing our energy, the partnerships we are building, and the policy and service priorities guiding our work.

01/16/2026

2025 was a year of connection, collaboration, and real progress for people with disabilities in Colorado. 💛

We served more than 2,200 individuals through Independent Living Services, listened deeply in community trainings and listening sessions, and brought the disability community’s voice directly to policymakers, planners, and decision-makers.

From Disability Rights Advocacy Day at the State Capitol, to policy wins that expanded access and strengthened civil rights, to partnerships and programs that foster connection — this year showed what happens when community shows up together.

We’re proud of what was accomplished — and even more energized to continue this work in 2026.

👉 Read our full 2025 recap here: https://www.cpwd.org/blog/2025-community-advocacy-and-hard-won-progress

In this article, we want to share with you the work CPWD accomplished in 2025, highlighting outcomes from important conversations and connections, and our community efforts in the areas ofadvocacy, education, and partnerships. We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to continuing this

01/14/2026

When your vision changes, your life doesn’t have to shrink.

Linda lives with macular degeneration — and in this video, she shares how assistive technology supports her independence, safety, and daily freedom.

From Meta smart glasses and the OKO app for crossing streets, to Aira for on-demand visual support, Bard audiobooks, Hadley learning programs, and Access-A-Ride transportation — Linda walks us through the tools that help her stay connected to her world.

Her story is a reminder that access to the right technology can change what’s possible — not in theory, but in everyday life.

🎥 Watch: How Assistive Technology Supports Linda’s Independence

01/13/2026

When your vision changes, your life doesn’t have to shrink.

Linda lives with macular degeneration — and in this video, she shares how assistive technology supports her independence, safety, and daily freedom.

From Meta smart glasses and the OKO app for crossing streets, to Aira for on-demand visual support, Bard audiobooks, Hadley learning programs, and Access-A-Ride transportation — Linda walks us through the tools that help her stay connected to her world.

Her story is a reminder that access to the right technology can change what’s possible — not in theory, but in everyday life.

🎥 Watch: How Assistive Technology Supports Linda’s Independence

12/23/2025

We know this time of year can hold both joy and challenge. In our latest blog article, CPWD shares resources, stories, and community support to help make the season more grounded and inclusive for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. From positive progress in disability access to thoughtful gift ideas and mental health resources, this piece is a reminder that you’re not alone this holiday season.

Read the article by following the link below.

As the holiday season approaches, we know this time of year can hold both joy and challenge. In our latest blog article, CPWD shares resources, stories, and community support to help make the season more grounded and inclusive for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. From positi

12/19/2025

Confidence. Awareness. Choice. 💪✨

CPWD was proud to partner with Thornton Parks and Recreation and the DeafBlind Action Team to offer One Touch Self-Defense classes created specifically for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind community members.

The One Touch program is a tactile-based self-defense approach that emphasizes body awareness, personal boundaries, verbal assertiveness, and simple, effective techniques for disengaging from unwanted contact. Participants learn skills that can be adapted to real-life situations — without relying on sight — and practiced in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Self-defense isn’t about fear. It’s about agency, preparedness, and knowing your options. When safety education is designed with disability access at the center, it creates stronger, more confident communities. 💛

Thank you to our partners and to everyone who showed up ready to learn, practice, and support one another.

CPWD partnered with Thornton Parks and Recreation and the DeafBlind Action Team to offer One Touch Self-Defense classes designed specifically for blind, low ...

12/17/2025

Preparing for High Winds & Possible Power Outages in the Front Range 🌬️⚡

Colorado is facing strong winds and potential power disruptions, and planning ahead is especially important for people with access and functional needs.

One helpful planning tool is CMIST, which focuses on five key areas of emergency readiness:

🗣️ Communication
❤️ Maintaining health
🧍 Independence
🤝 Support services & safety
🚗 Transportation

Thinking through these areas ahead of time can make emergencies safer and less stressful — especially for people who rely on medical equipment, mobility supports, caregivers, or accessible transportation.

A few simple prep reminders:
✔️ Sign up for local emergency alerts
✔️ Prepare an emergency kit (medications, water, backup power)
✔️ Check in with neighbors or loved ones who may need extra support
✔️ Make a plan for communication and transportation

For more information and resources from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management:
🔗 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CODHSEM/bulletins/4003217

Prepared communities are safer communities. 💛

CMIST Resource Disruption Planning for Power Shut Off and High Winds Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management sent this bulletin at 12/16/2025 02:37 PM MST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. CMIST Resource Disruption Planning for Power Shut Off and High....