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[Image description: Nine children, most of whom are wearing green shirts with The IC's logo, pose on a soccer field in front of a goal with the Switchbacks mascot, a tall mountain goat wearing a red and white Santa costume.]
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Switchbacks game on Saturday, July 26, to help us celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! It was an unforgettable evening at Weidner Field, where IC Team members connected with fans and shared information about our programs and services. More than 250 Caregivers, Consumers, Veterans, and Team members from The IC filled the stands to cheer on the Switchbacks. Kids from The IC group had the unforgettable opportunity to walk onto the field with the team, and our very own Assistive Technology Specialist Paul Spotts proudly performed the coin toss to kick off the game. The Switchbacks capped off the night with a decisive 4-0 win over Texoma!
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[Image description: The IC's CEO Indy Frazee, wearing a green t-shirt and a white visor, holds a sheet of paper and a microphone next to a man wearing headphones. A soccer field is visible behind them.]
At halftime, The IC’s CEO Indy Frazee took the mic for a live, on-air interview with Xtra Sports 1300 AM to share our mission and highlight the many ways we’re showing up in the community to champion disability rights. Meanwhile, our awesome kid volunteers had a blast sending penalty kicks past Ziggy, the Switchbacks’ mascot - definitely a crowd favorite moment!
Together with the Switchbacks, and surrounded by our incredible Caregivers, Clients, Consumers, Veterans and their friends and families, we showed what The IC is all about, which is helping the Pikes Peak region live up to the promise of the ADA: a world where everyone is Known, Valued, and Included.
| | [Image description: On a soccer field, a man seated in a wheelchair prepares to flip a coin while two soccer players and three referees look on.] | | [Image description: Dozens of people, many of which are wearing green IC t-shirts, sit in the stands and watch a soccer match.] | | [Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved gray polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | | Promoting Independence in Washington, D.C. with NCIL | | |
[Image description: On a street corner, seven people pose for the camera while holding signs that say "Colorado", "Disability Rights are Human Rights!", "ADA", "Sheesh!", "Colorado Hearts Independent Living!" and "Colorado wants a cure for Ableism." Three people wear the blue shirts of the March and two use wheelchairs.]
On Monday, July 21, our Director of Independent Living Tamara Trujillo proudly joined the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and our friends at AAPD for the 2025 National March and Rally in Washington, D.C. The theme of "Our Lives, Our Homes, Our Communities" is more than a slogan. It's a powerful reminder that people with disabilities deserve the freedom to live independently and thrive in their communities.
From the streets near the Grand Hyatt to the steps of the Capitol, advocates, allies, and leaders came together to send a clear message: our freedoms matter, and we're here to protect them.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke out, and stood strong! We're honored to be part of this movement for justice, inclusion, and independence for all. We continue our push to build a world where everyone is Known, Valued, & Included!
| | [Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved gray polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | | Summer Camp Wrap-Up: Thanks for the Memories! | | |
[Image description: A zoo employee wearing a nametag and a shirt with the logo of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo holds a platform containing a curled four- or five-foot long snake. A young person seated in front of her reaches out to feel the snake.]
This summer, our Independent Living (IL) Team led by IL Skills Specialist Edgar Morales offered a Youth and Young Adult Summer Camp! Throughout June and July, a group of young IC Consumers came to The IC twice a week to learn life skills such as meal planning and laundry, participate in hands-on activities like "junk journaling" with Housing Specialist Aurora Soper (which is a personalized form of journaling involving crafting a journal using repurposed and recycled materials), and joining our Peer Support Team for a visit from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's ZOOMobile, where they had the opportunity to interact with live animals and participate in a birdhouse-building activity.
A parent of a Summer Camp attendee shared with Edgar, “I am very grateful for the camp. It is the ‘right amount’ for his needs, and I know that my son will be accepted.” This program is just one of the many offered at The IC to empower people with disabilities to build community and live lives that are independent and full of meaning.
To talk with someone on our Independent Living team about becoming a consumer and finding out about upcoming opportunities like this, call us at 719-471-8181 or send us an email at info@the-ic.org.
| | [Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved gray polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | | A Fond Farewell to Nici Heisler, Director of Healthcare at Home Services | | |
[Image description: A white woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes smiles for the camera on the sidewalk outside of The IC's offices.]
Last week, we bid a fond farewell to Nici Heisler, our Director of Healthcare at Home Services, as she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her career. Nici has accepted a new position within the healthcare field - one that reflects her deep commitment to service and offers expanded leadership opportunities.
Nici’s nearly four-year tenure at The IC has been marked by bold leadership, creative thinking, and passionate advocacy. Her impact on the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program has been nothing short of transformative. Under her leadership, the VDC program experienced tremendous growth - nearly doubling enrollment and expanding services across Colorado, into neighboring states, and even reaching the Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan! Her vision and drive have helped lay a strong foundation for the continued growth of the VDC program and the broader Healthcare at Home Division.
“The Independence Center was my first introduction to the nonprofit world, and it opened my eyes to the critical and often invisible needs of those we serve through our Center for Independent Living,” Nici shared. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead boldly, think creatively, and build strong friendships with some pretty great leaders.”
She has laid a vital brick in the foundation of our mission - one that strengthens our path forward and positions the VDC program for continued growth, future success, and expanded service to Veterans across the country.
While we are sad to see her go, we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and excited to see how she will continue to advocate for Veterans and people with disabilities in her new role.
Nici leaves The IC with our deepest gratitude and best wishes for continued success.
| | [Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved black polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | |
The IC Partners with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office on Web
Accessibility
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The El Paso County Sheriff's Office recently launched a new website designed to better serve the needs of the community, and one of their guiding principles in the design and implementation was ensuring accessibility and readability according to the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
“We’re proud to have partnered with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to support their commitment to accessibility," said Indy Frazee, CEO of The Independence Center. "Ensuring their website meets ADA standards and is navigable for individuals with disabilities reflects a shared dedication to inclusion and equity."
At The IC, our mission is to ensure everyone in the Pikes Peak region, regardless of ability, can access the information and resources they need. We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Sheriff’s Office in advancing that goal.
You can take a look at their new website at the link below:
www.epcsheriff.com
| | [Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved black polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | | Upcoming Community Workshops, Special Events, Recreation Events, and Support Groups | |
Classes and events at The IC provide opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and try new things in a supportive environment! An up-to-date listing of classes and events can always be found on our website's event calendar:
https://www.theindependencecenter.org/
| | [Image description: The logo of The IC next to a QR code. Below, the words "We're hiring" and "Scan to apply! Or visit the-ic.org/employment"] | | | | |
