In This Issue:
- Get Ready for Summit Stories!
- Save the Date: Voting Event Oct. 1
- Adaptive Equipment from May We Help
- In the News: Film about Marriage Penalties Coming to Hulu
- 4 Sensory-Friendly Activities This Fall
- Reminder: Coffee House Is Tomorrow
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Get Ready for Summit Stories!
For 17 years, The Arc-JCC&GC has celebrated the life stories of people with IDD at our annual Summit of Hope. In that time, loyal event supporters have helped us raise over $1.1 million—funding that has allowed us to empower thousands of people with IDD and their families through advocacy. Further, each year’s Summit of Hope event has been a day to build understanding, make connections and take action for our shared cause.
In recent years, we have noticed that our community’s interest in large-scale, in-person events has declined. Other organizations have observed this trend, too. Since event expenses have also increased, we have decided to evolve with the times. We have considered all aspects of Summit of Hope and have made the decision to pause the event as we have known it. In its place, we are excited to be introducing a brand-new effort: Summit Stories!
Read Our Announcement: Summit Stories
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Save the Date:
Voting Event Oct. 1
The Arc-JCC&GC is helping host a virtual voting event on October 1!
This event will answer important questions you may have about voting, such as “How do I vote?” and “What resources are available to help me vote?” Anyone who would like to learn more about voting is welcome to attend this free event.
Along with The Arc-JCC&GC, the event will be coordinated by The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties; The Arc of Aurora; The Arc Pikes Peak Region; Atlantis Community; Center for People with Disabilities; and the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.
We hope you can join us!
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Adaptive Equipment from
May We Help
Each person with a disability has his or her own unique needs. Sometimes, adaptive equipment may be commercially available, but it still does not meet all of someone’s needs.
That’s where May We Help comes in. The nonprofit modifies equipment and builds custom solutions for people with disabilities, at no cost to the recipient. May We Help works on about 800 projects per year. It can offer many types of solutions, said Michael Steinberg, a Colorado volunteer for May We Help.
For example, Steinberg built a batting machine for a girl with a disability who wanted to play in a baseball league. The girl cannot swing a bat on her own, but with the machine, she can do so just by pulling a cord. In another instance, May We Help customized a water gun for a boy who otherwise could not use one, allowing him to participate in a school event. May We Help has also modified and created items like sensory chairs, toys, and bikes.
If you'd like to request modified equipment or an adaptive solution from May We Help, you can submit a request here. If you have questions about a specific request, please call Michael Steinberg at 303-960-0590.
Your request may be worked on by a local volunteer or a volunteer in another state. May We Help can ship many solutions all over the world. Please note that in Colorado, larger pieces of equipment, like wheelchairs, are not available.
Interested in being part of May We Help? You can learn more about volunteering for May We Help here.
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In the News: Film about Marriage Penalties Coming to Hulu
A look at how marriage penalties impact people with disabilities is coming to Hulu on September 30.
The new documentary, Patrice: The Movie, follows Patrice Jetter and her partner, Garry Wickham. The New Jersey couple wants to get married. But both Patrice and Garry have disabilities, and if they get married, they put at risk some of their Social Security and Medicaid benefits.
When two people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) get married, their SSI payments are greatly reduced. Additionally, individuals can qualify for SSI if they have $2,000 or less in resources, but married couples can only have a combined $3,000 or less in resources. Medicaid benefits can also be reduced when a couple gets married.
Patrice: The Movie focuses on these rules, often called marriage penalties. The film, directed by filmmaker Ted Passon, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.
Read more about Patrice: The Movie.
If you would like to take action to end marriage penalties, join The Arc US in advocating for change! Through The Arc’s website, you can tell congress to change these rules for married couples. Click here to make your voice heard.
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4 Sensory-Friendly Activities This Fall
There’s plenty of sensory-friendly fun to be had in the Jeffco and Denver areas—and many of these events are coming up soon! Read on for a list of upcoming sensory-friendly, family-friendly events.
“Alamo for All” at Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema holds its sensory-friendly “Alamo for All” showings throughout the year. At each Denver location, every Tuesday showing before 2:05 pm will follow “Alamo for All” rules. House lights will be turned up and sound will be turned down. View upcoming showings here.
- Tuesdays before 2:05 pm
- Location varies by show
Sensory-friendly Afternoons at Butterfly Pavilion
Once a month, the Butterfly Pavilion transforms into a sensory-friendly space with natural lighting, quiet tones, and a limited number of guests. A Quiet Room is also available on-site. The next sensory-friendly afternoon is this month, but the event will recur throughout the year. All dates are listed here.
- September 25, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- 6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80020
Sensory-Friendly Family Movie Night: T.Rex
Next week, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will host a sensory-friendly screening of T.Rex, an imagining of a T-Rex’s life. During the film, the museum will increase house lighting and reduce sound levels.
- September 25, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205
Low Sensory Mornings at History Colorado
Like the Butterfly Pavilion, History Colorado regularly puts low-sensory windows on its calendar. On these mornings, the museum limits attendance and turns down the sound in exhibits. All dates are listed here, with the next happening in October.
- October 26, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
- 1200 N Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
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Reminder: Coffee House Is Tomorrow
- Thursday, September 19, 2024
- 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
- Panera Bread - 650 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80226 (Southeast corner of Wadsworth & Center Ave)
- Learn more about Coffee House
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