Center for People With Disabilities

04/29/2026

🧩 Autism acceptance goes beyond awareness.

In our latest guest blog, CPWD board member Sylvan Pearlstein shares an insightful perspective on autism through the lens of neurodiversity, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting why respect, accommodation, and acceptance matter.

This thoughtful article explores:
✨ What autism really is
✨ Why more diagnoses often reflect better recognition
✨ The harm of deficit-based narratives
✨ How acceptance creates stronger communities

Autistic people deserve more than one month of awareness. They deserve understanding and inclusion all year long.

Read the full article here: https://www.cpwd.org/blog/understanding-and-accepting-autism

In this thoughtful guest blog, CPWD board member Sylvan Pearlstein shares why many advocates are calling for a shift from autism awareness to autism acceptance. The article explores common misconceptions, explains autism through the lens of neurodiversity, and highlights the importance of respect, a

04/17/2026

My father was a laser eye surgery technician. When Parkinson's changed what his hands could do, it changed the shape of his life, and our family learned a lot about what it means to navigate a system that wasn't always easy to find your way through.

We wrote about his story, and the millions like it. Because if you or someone you love is living with a progressive condition like Parkinson's, MS, arthritis, or diabetes, you deserve to understand your options and know that support exists.

CPWD is here to help you find it.

www.cpwd.org/blog/when-a-disease-changes-whats-possible-understanding-disability-benefits-and-your-rights

When my father's Parkinson's tremors ended his career, our family entered a world most people don't know exists until they're already inside it: the long, complicated gap between a diagnosis and the support system meant to catch you. His story is one of millions. This article walks through how disea

04/10/2026

April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and we're marking it by looking forward. 🧡

New on the CPWD blog: what independent living looks like for people with limb loss and limb difference, what's happening at the cutting edge of prosthetic technology, and why the distinction between limb loss and limb difference matters more than most people realize.

Read the full article here: 🔗 www.cpwd.org/blog/living-fully-what-limb-loss-and-limb-difference-awareness-month-is-really-about

April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month — and there has never been a more exciting time to talk about what's possible. From groundbreaking prosthetic technology to the power of peer connection, people with limb loss and limb difference are living fuller, more connected lives than ev...

04/09/2026

This April, we're celebrating possibility. 🧡

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month is a chance to honor the resilience of a community of 5.6 million Americans — and to talk honestly about what full participation in life really requires.

New article on the CPWD blog — link in bio.

03/28/2026

We're excited to share something we've been working on with our partners at Boulder Community Health — the STEP Program! 💙

STEP (Support Toward Empowered Post-Trauma Independent Living) is a pilot program designed to support people with disabilities as they transition from trauma care back into their community.

Through a flexible, tiered model, STEP connects eligible patients with:

✅ Information & referrals to independent living resources
✅ Options counseling for benefits, housing, transportation & peer support
✅ Personalized Independent Living plans for those ready to take the next step

The program is available through referral from the Boulder Community Health trauma team — and you choose the level of support that's right for you. No commitment required.

Learn more: https://www.cpwd.org/step-program
Questions? Reach us at info@cpwd.org or 303-442-8662.

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03/26/2026

It's Women's History Month, and we're celebrating five extraordinary women who are shaping the future of disability rights and awareness. From Colorado's own Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera to disability justice icon Alice Wong, whose powerful final words to her community still resonate — these women are leading, fighting, and inspiring change every single day. Head to our blog to meet all five and learn about the incredible work they're doing.

March is Women's History Month, and at CPWD we are proud to celebrate the women who are leading, advocating, and changing the world every single day. In this article, we're shining a spotlight on five remarkable women whose work in disability rights and awareness continues to push society toward a m

03/23/2026

🌟 Now Hiring: VIP Spoke Manager at CPWD!

Are you passionate about Veterans' independence? Do you love connecting people, navigating systems, and making a real difference every day?

CPWD is looking for a Veterans Independence Program Spoke Manager — the vital link between VA Medical Centers and our community partners. You'll lead with heart, mentor agency staff, and champion person-first care for Veterans.

✅ 4-day work week
✅ Full benefits + retirement
✅ Mission you'll be proud of

Lived experience with disability or military culture is strongly preferred — we value the perspective you bring.

Apply at cpwd.org/jobs-volunteer or share with someone who'd be a great fit! 💙

03/19/2026

Did you know more than 1 in 4 Americans has a disability? But when most of us picture disability, we picture only a fraction of what it really looks like. Disability includes chronic pain, PTSD, low vision, cerebral palsy, mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and so much more.

In our latest blog post, we're breaking down what disability really means — legally, medically, and personally — including the difference between having a disability and qualifying for benefits, why invisible disabilities are still disabilities, and why claiming your identity can be one of the most empowering things you do.

If you've ever wondered whether your experience "counts," this one's for you. 👇

Image: A group of CPWD community members gathered outdoors in a sunny garden, smiling and holding fresh-picked tomatoes from raised garden beds.

More than 1 in 4 Americans has a disability — but most of us picture only a fraction of what that really means. Disability includes chronic pain, PTSD, low vision, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and so much more. What is a disability, exactly? The answer is ...

03/13/2026

March is recognized as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month — a time to learn more about the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the systems that support independence, inclusion, and community life.

In our newest article, we take a closer look at what IDD means, how policies like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead decision reshaped opportunities for community living, and why self-advocacy continues to play such an important role in disability rights today.

We also explore the realities families face in navigating services, the importance of community-based supports, and the growing movement toward Supported Decision-Making as a way to protect autonomy and choice.

Understanding these issues helps build stronger, more inclusive communities for everyone.

Read the full article here: https://www.cpwd.org/blog/understanding-idd-in-2026-independence-self-advocacy-and-community-in-colorado

More than 7 million Americans live with intellectual or developmental disabilities, yet many still face barriers to independence and community inclusion. In recognition of IDD Awareness Month, this article explores what intellectual and developmental disabilities are, how policies like the ADA and O

03/04/2026

On February 12, advocates from across Colorado gathered at the State Capitol for Disability Rights Advocacy Day. This day celebrates the fact that disability rights are civil rights.

Members of the CPWD community joined community members with disabilities, family members, and advocates from across the state to meet with legislators, share lived experiences, and speak up for the policies that help make independent living possible. From accessible housing and transportation to community-based services and employment opportunities, these conversations help shape a more inclusive Colorado for everyone.

Advocacy is about building relationships, raising awareness, and ensuring that the voices of people with disabilities are heard in the decisions that affect their lives. Disability Rights Advocacy Day is an amazing opportunity to make lasting change in our communities.

Watch our recap video to see highlights from the day and the advocates who showed up to make a difference.

On February 12, 2026, advocates from across Colorado gathered at the State Capitol for Disability Rights Advocacy Day (D-RAD) — a powerful day of civic engag...

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.