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

Celebrating Black History Month

[Image description: Over a black background four boxes are arranged vertically, colored white, red, yellow, and green from top to bottom. In the boxes are the words "Celebrating Black History Month." Below, the logo of The IC.]

Each February, we commemorate Black History Month to honor the invaluable contributions made by Black individuals to our nation's history. This observance also serves to illuminate overlooked or silenced histories and voices. The Disability Rights and Civil Rights movements are intricately connected, and this intersectionality continues today.

Black History Month was first officially recognized in 1976, by then-President Gerald Ford, who urged Americans "to seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

The formal observance of "National Black History Month" began after Congress passed it into law in 1986. The legislation aimed to foster awareness about the ongoing struggle for freedom and equal opportunity. The passage of this law was a long-awaited acknowledgement and recognition of the hard-fought Black Civil Rights battles that occurred on both the national stage, and communities throughout the country.

Drawing inspiration from the Black Civil Rights movement, the Disability Rights movement adopted similar peaceful protest strategies in their pursuit of equal rights. Notably, this influence was seen during the “504 Sit-In” in April 1977, when disabled activists staged multiple day-long sit-ins and occupied federal buildings in San Francisco, demanding greater accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities. The Black Panther Party played a supportive role by providing hot meals and assistance to the protestors throughout the protest.

It is impossible to speak about the history of America without acknowledging the significant contribution of Black Americans to that story. As former President Barack Obama has said, "It's about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America."

We invite you to explore the link below to learn more about several individuals who were not only pivotal to Black History in America, but who also happened to be People with Disabilities.

https://www.theindependencecenter.org/honoring-the-stories-of-black-americans-with-disabilities/

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved purple shirt with the Colorado Rockies logo signs in American Sign Language.]

Making Hidden Disabilities Visible

The IC's Advocacy Specialist Scott Bartlett shares his experiences with accessibility at the Colorado Springs Airport:

"Approximately one in ten Americans live with a disability which is not easily observable. These are sometimes called ‘hidden’ disabilities. Examples of hidden disabilities are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mental health conditions, epilepsy, and chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis (MS), among others.

My hidden disabilities are autism and ADHD. When people observe me, they are not likely to know that I have disabilities. I have been told that my disabilities must be mild, because nobody would ever have guessed I have disabilities by looking at me. However, my internal experience is not mild, and I have challenges daily. People normally observe me on good days in environments that are accommodating to me and obviously can’t read my mind or see into my brain. All of this is also true of other hidden disabilities.  

There is no other environment that is less accommodating and dysregulating to me than airports. The sensory issues, the numbers of people, the unfamiliar environment, and the process of security checks and boarding is difficult for me every time. My brain becomes overloaded. I have trouble speaking. My ability to think and process information becomes slow. I may even freeze and have trouble communicating. 

This year, I was asked to attend an Independent Living conference in Washington, D.C. When asked if I would attend, my initial feelings were anxiety and dread. I would have to fly. I said yes, of course I wanted to attend the conference. I began to think about what I needed to be as comfortable as possible on this trip. I require patience and understanding without the trouble of having multiple conversations about my disability. 

For several years, I heard autistic people speak about the Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyard for traveling. I was also reminded by my supervisor that the program existed. I researched it and thought it might be useful on my trip.

The lanyard can be found at most airports for free, including the airport in Colorado Springs. However, as an example of how much I dislike airports, I paid $18.00 for one to be sent to me from England rather than visiting the local airport and getting one for free. I purchased a standard lanyard that displays sunflowers full length. There are also sunflower pins and lanyards for caregivers. In addition to the lanyard, I purchased a card to be displayed stating I have autism and people around me can best assist me by being patient and speaking to me clearly and calmly, but not to touch me."

To read the rest of Scott's story, go to The IC blog at the following link:

https://www.theindependencecenter.org/blog/making-the-hidden-visible/

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved purple shirt with the Colorado Rockies logo signs in American Sign Language.]

The IC Welcomes New Board Members

The IC is excited to welcome three new members of our Board of Directors to help us continue our mission of working with people with disabilities, their families, and the community to create independence so that all may thrive.

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Joseph Cunningham is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Genesis Group, LLC, a home exterior design and construction firm, and has previously been a director at Goodwill of Colorado as well as the National Safety Council.

[Image description: A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a pink cardigan smiles at the camera.]

Meghin Purdy is the Acute Care Therapy Manager for UCHealth Memorial Hospital North and Grandview Hospital and has an extensive physical therapy background.

[Image description: A woman with short brown hair wearing a purple sweater smiles at the camera.]

M.J. Smith is a certified Holistic Health Coach and currently a teaching an online class for young adults with adapted needs.

We're thrilled for all three to join The IC in helping to create a world where everyone is Known, Valued, and Included!

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved purple shirt with the Colorado Rockies logo signs in American Sign Language.]

Learn about your rights with PPLD's Renters' Rights 101 Workshop

The Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), in collaboration with a number of organizations including The IC and Colorado Legal Services, is hosting a free Renters' Rights 101 workshop here at The IC on Wednesday, March 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

There will also be a virtual option if you can't make it in person!

The workshop is focused on a wide variety of topics in landlord tenant law such as lease basics, reasonable accommodations and modifications, deposits, repairs, eviction, and updates on recent Colorado legislation on housing matters. Other community legal and housing resources will be shared. (Presenters cannot provide legal advice for individual situations.)

Registration is optional, but will let you get a copy of the workshop slides and a recording of the event.

For more information and to sign up, go to this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd18JqULh1x83tOddlV-GXLGvZ4fIhfaFcchGTPlwfGWwHR4w/viewform

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved purple shirt with the Colorado Rockies logo signs in American Sign Language.]

A Scholarship Opportunity for Students with Disabilities

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has launched their 2025 Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability Program. The Krause Scholarship is intended to recognize students with disabilities who are pursuing studies related to health and disability, particularly majors that will impact the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

The scholarships are generally for $1,000, but amounts are at the discretion of the AAHD Board of Directors Scholarship Committee and based on availability of funds. The Scholarship Committee will evaluate each of the applicants and will determine how many scholarships will be awarded each year and the amount of each scholarship.

The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.

To learn more about the program and to apply, go to this link:

https://aahd.us/initiatives/scholarship/

To learn about the 2024 recipients, go to this link:

https://aahd.us/2025/01/2024-disability-health-scholars/

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved purple shirt with the Colorado Rockies logo signs in American Sign Language.]

Accessibility Spotlight

#AccessibleCOS

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As the home of civil rights for people with disabilities in the Pikes Peak region, The IC has been using our #AccessibleCOS campaign to shine a light on local businesses, organizations, and services that show off how accessibility makes everyone in our area better!

El Paso County recently renovated the pickleball courts at Bear Creek Regional Park, and part of the renovations involved making them even more accessible! There is now a wheelchair-accessible ramp and wide gates to allow everyone to enjoy the park's facilities.

More information about the park can be found at the following link:

https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/bear-creek-regional-park/

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved purple shirt with the Colorado Rockies logo signs in American Sign Language.]

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! An up-to-date listing of classes and events can always be found on our website's event calendar:

https://www.theindependencecenter.org/

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