The Arc of Aurora

01/17/2026

01/16/2026

Starting February 5th, Caregiver Conversations will return every 1st Thursday of the month! We have some exciting and informative topics that we can’t wait for you to join us for!

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rrSO-rSeQVaFeN4aNtpUQg #/registration

And visit our YouTube channel to watch past recordings.

01/16/2026

ACTION ALERT from our friends at Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition who have made it quick and easy to take action and protect funding intended for across the state!
Dear Community,
In a tough budget year, cash funds are always at risk of being swept and/or used for purposes other than they were intended for. We need your help to ensure that the money in the Colorado Disability Funding Committee (also known as the “license plate committee”) stays in the committee’s cash fund and benefits those it was originally intended to benefit - people with disabilities.

Background
The Colorado Disability Funding Committee (CDFC) was created after the disability community was told by the legislature that there wasn't enough money to fund our priorities. The bill that created the fund gave the Committee the right to sell certain personalized license plates. A few years later, the Committee was allowed to collect the fee on a newly created set of historical license plates with black, red and blue backgrounds. The money collected by the Committee is used for grants to fund application assistance and other new and innovative programs to benefit people with disabilities. The grants are awarded by the Committee, which is made up of thirteen members, more than half of whom have to be people with disabilities or caregivers. This Committee was created by people with disabilities to benefit people with disabilities.

What’s Happening Now
The sale of license plates has generated a considerable amount of money for grants. This has made the fund a target for people looking to fund things outside of the scope of what the fee was originally intended to fund. In order to protect the money, CCDC is proposing that the fund be moved to a unique entity called a Special Purpose Authority. This would ensure that the money can’t be swept in future years AND also ensures that it stays in the disability community’s control.

People from outside of our community and their lobbyists are asking the legislature to fund things that benefit their clients - NOT US. This is a direct attempt by Capitol insiders to take money that was designed to benefit the disability community.

What We Need From You
Let your legislators know that you’re not ok with this and you want the money to stay with the community it was originally intended to serve through the creation of a special purpose authority AND that there should be no more sweeps of the fund.
We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible to contact your legislators by creating this handy, click to email tool.

If you have trouble using the click to email tool, please reach out to Dawn Howard at dhoward@ccdconline.org and she can help you fill it out.

If you are a CDFC grantee who would like to advocate for the Fund, please reach out to Hillary Jorgensen at hjorgensen@ccdconline.org

Tell your legislators to make sure that Colorado Disability Funding Committee money should stay in the disability community!

01/16/2026

Watch our newest documentary, the inspiring story of the disability community coming together, using their voice to make change!

Full documentary➡️ thinkchange.info/GovAccessTALKS

01/13/2026

This civic engagement guide from THINK+change shows people with disabilities, caregivers, and families how to get involved in government. It includes clear steps for tracking issues, speaking up, and taking action. Dive in and commit to your first step today!

Download for yourself at: thinkchange.info/GovAccessTOOL

Made possible through support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora!



Image description: Think Change Tools logo that includes silhouettes of a pamphlet and book. Below Is a woman with long brown hair holding up the guide in front of her face. Text reads Civic Engagement Guide for People with Disabilities. Made possible through support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora.

01/12/2026

Lawmakers don’t know your lived experience and they need you to speak up to make their work better! This THINK+change course is here to help you take the first steps to making your voice heard.

Head to: thinkchange.info/GovAccessTCA

This full package made possible with support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora.

01/09/2026

From THINK+change, this is the inspiring and emotional story of what can happen when a disability community comes together to use their voice for change. With lived experiences at the front-and-center, this community will motivate you to be the change you want to see!

https://buff.ly/IldlumU

This series was made possible with support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora!



Image description: Think Change Storytelling Talks logo that includes a black microphone with a cord. Below are the five storytellers featured in this documentary, a man with short grey hair, a man with medium brown hair and glasses, a man with light brown hair and glasses, a woman with long brown hair, and a man with short black hair and glasses. Text reads Policy & Power: A Disability Community Story. Made possible through support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora.

01/08/2026

✨Imagine That! ✨is a five-week creative theater program at CCA for artists ages 6 to 16 with developmental, intellectual, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities.

🎭 No prior experience is required, and there are multiple ways to participate in this exploration of acting, movement, and storytelling.

🎓Scholarships are available.

Register here to start on Jan. 14: https://www.campusce.net/ccaurora/course/course.aspx?catId=12

01/08/2026

Snag a license plate with ✨main-character energy✨ and do some good while you’re at it. 🚗💥 Colorado’s unique specialty plates help fund services and supports for people with disabilities across Colorado! Upgrade your ride, support access and inclusion, and give everyone behind you something to smile about at the stoplight. ♿
Good karma looks GREAT on a bumper.

Online license plate configurations are back! New auction platform, but the same program benefiting Coloradans with disabilities. Get the rights to a great configuration for your ride!

https://publicsurplus.com/sms/coloradodfc,co/list/current?orgid=1071021

01/07/2026

We have the power to change the world around us and the Government Access for People with Disabilities educational package from THINK+change is a great place to start.

We must increase the badly needed representation of the disability community and it starts with your voice, your lived experience, and the steps that you take next.

✨ TALKS- A documentary about the Colorado disability community making change
🎓 TRAINING- Learn how to get your voice heard
🔦TOOL- Simple steps to help you access your government

Check it all out! Head to: https://buff.ly/BFqK3DW

This full package made possible with support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora!



Image description: Think Change green and black text logo with Talks Trainings Tools written below it. Text reads Government Access for People with Disabilities. Below is a graphic of a government building dome in front of a disability pride flag. Made possible through support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora.

01/07/2026

Registration is open! You can find the link below 🤗🥳🧡

📣 Registration is open for Disability Rights Advocacy Day (D-RAD)! 📣

D-RAD is a day filled with empowerment, celebration, and advocacy for disability rights! This event is your chance to make your voice heard, connect with fellow advocates, and learn from engaging speakers.

Please ensure that you register and receive a ticket through the D-RAD EventBrite page. If you need assistance filling out the registration form, please contact Dawn at dhoward@ccdconline.net or call 720-689-4578.

📅 February 12th, 2026
📍 Colorado State Capitol
🕐 10am to 2pm MST
🔗 Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disability-rights-advocacy-day-2026-d-rad-tickets-1978999741500?aff=oddtdtcreator

Registration will close January 31st.

Image Description: Flyer to promote D-RAD 2026. Top half features a photo of the Colorado State Capitol building with its gold done under a clear blue sky. Below is the logo for the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC) and a circular graphic with "Disability Rights Advocacy Day" written in colorful diagonal stripes. "Save the Date For D-RAD 2026" is written in large bold font followed by "Disability Rights Advocacy Day."

01/06/2026

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and it’s critical to recognize that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk of exploitation and trafficking.

Crime victim professionals play a vital role in identification, response, and support. With the right training, accommodations, and communication strategies, people with IDD can be credible witnesses, and you can help them safely share their experiences and access justice.

🎓 Victimization of People with IDD: Navigating Crisis

👉 https://buff.ly/GHyjy6v

This self-paced training equips professionals across law enforcement, advocacy, healthcare, and the legal system with practical tools to better support individuals with IDD who may be victims of trafficking or other crimes.

This full package made possible with support from Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA), Colorado District Attorneys' Council, The Initiative, The Blue Bench , Developmental Pathways, Arc Thrift Stores , and The Arc of Aurora



Image description: Think Change Storytelling Talks logo with Talks Trainings Tools written below it. Text reads Victimization of People with IDD: Navigating Crisis. Below are graphics of a hospital, police station, and court hour with a figure with their head in their knees indicating stress. Made possible through support from Developmental Pathways, CCASA, CDAC, The Blue Bench, The Initiative, arc Thrift Stores, and The Arc of Aurora.