In This Issue:
- Happy Disability Pride Month!
- Local History of the Disability Pride Movement
- Come Celebrate With Us At Our Annual Picnic on July 19!
- Ten Helpful Tips to Avoid Being Scammed
- Summer Swim Day - Sunday at Deer Creek Outdoor Pool!
- Free RTD in July and August!
- Health Research Survey
- Donate Your Car and Support The Arc-JCCGC
- Mark Your Calendars - Coffee House and People First Dates
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Happy Disability Pride Month!
This just in from The Arc U.S.:
Disability Pride Month takes place every year in July. This coincides with the anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The ADA is a landmark law that broke down barriers to inclusion in society, but people with disabilities still struggle for acceptance and full inclusion.
Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. It’s a time to show what disability pride means and what people with disabilities are proud of. We celebrate this month by sharing the stories of disabled people and raising awareness of the issues that people with disabilities still face today.
At The Arc-JCCGC our goal in storytelling is to help amplify the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and increase awareness in the broader community. We practice ethical storytelling, to guarantee that whenever people give us the privilege of helping to share their stories, we will do it in a fair and respectful manner.
If you have a great story connected to The Arc or the IDD community, please email our communications team at: info@arcjc.org.
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Denver's Historic Disability Pride Movement
Did you know that a historic Denver disability rights event is celebrating its 45th anniversary this month?
The Gang of 19: ADA Movement is an inspirational piece of Colorado history. On July 5, 1978, 19 individuals tossed aside their wheelchairs and blocked RTD buses considered inaccessible for physically disabled people, according to PBS. This one act led to years of advocacy in Colorado and inspired the nation.
A driver stopped his bus at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Broadway to pick up more riders, Westword reported. Before the bus could move on, people in wheelchairs rolled in front of the vehicle. Minutes later, another RTD bus traveling along the same route pulled up behind the first bus, and more people in wheelchairs rolled behind this second bus. Both buses were locked in, bringing traffic in a busy Denver intersection to a standstill. While the buses spent the next 24 hours locked in place, the 19 protesters chanted, "We will ride!"
Encouraged by civil rights movements of the 1960s, the disability rights movement gained momentum leading to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
Interested in learning more?
Experience stories about the bravery of these advocates who saw the need and chose to make a change in public transportation by watching a free streaming PBS Colorado Experience episode about the Gang of 19.
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Come Celebrate at Our Picnic on July 19!
The Arc-JCCGC's annual picnic is always a can't-miss event!
This year’s picnic will be unique and extra special because among the festivities, we will be celebrating the career and contributions of Jeanne Weis - longtime advocate at The Arc - JCCGC, who will be retiring in August. Jeanne is a dedicated professional who has touched many lives in our community and beyond. Stop by the picnic so you have an opportunity to express your best wishes to Jeanne as she prepares for her next chapter in life.
Be a part of the fun! Everyone is invited to our picnic – it’s a free event and is sure to be among the highlights of your summer. You’ll be able to enjoy delicious food – a taco bar – participate in fun activities, play a few rounds of bingo - and maybe even win one of several prizes, catch up with old friends, meet some new people, and more.
Our picnic is only one week away. RSVP today if you have not already signed up to attend. We would be so happy to see you!
What: The Arc-JCCGC’s Annual Picnic
Where: Robert Clement Park: picnic shelters O, P and Q
When: 4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19
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Ten Helpful Tips to Avoid Being Scammed
Con artists pick vulnerable people as their victims and often target our community. Scammers can be relentless in attempting to gain trust through deception. They use social media, websites, telephone, email, text, and other methods to deceive and defraud people.
There are thousands of new scams every year and it’s challenging to keep up with all of them, according to the Better Business Bureau. These ten tips may help you avoid most scams:
- Don't send money via gift card or wire transfer to people you've never met face-to-face.
- Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails.
- Don’t believe everything you see.
- Double check your online purchase is secure before checking out.
- Use extreme caution when dealing with anyone you’ve met online.
- Never share personally identifiable information.
- Resist the pressure to act immediately.
- Use secure and traceable transactions.
- Whenever possible, work with local businesses.
- Be cautious about what you share on social media.
In addition, here are some additional helpful informational resources to learn how to avoid scams, and to report fraud:
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Summer Swim Day
This summer, Foothills Park & Recreation District is giving families with special needs and medical complexities who are looking for a little extra space and support an opportunity to have the pool to themselves.
Children and one caregiver swim free. Regular pool rates apply for all other family members.
Where: Deer Creek Outdoor Pool
When: Sunday, July 16: 9 - 10:30 a.m.
For pool information, click here or call 303-409-2520 for details.
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Free RTD in July and August
RTD’s Zero Fare for Better Air program was created with the goal of reducing ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transit.
During July and August, RTD will offer free fares across its system as part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. This collaborative, statewide effort, made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, is designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transit. Interested in learning more about Colorado Senate Bill 22-180? Click here.
Current RTD customers will also benefit as they will not have to use or purchase fare products from July 1 - August 31, during Colorado’s high ozone season.
For more information about Zero Fare for Better Air, click here.
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Health Research Survey
Project ENGAGE is looking for adults with intellectual disabilities to share their views about being included in a new type of health research by taking a survey funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The goal of the survey is to understand how people with lived experience feel about health research and also to develop solutions about how to support decision making. Participants may take the survey on a computer, over the phone, or by paper. It may take up to one hour to take the survey.
For more information about participating in the survey, click here to view an informational flyer and click here to view a video.
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Junk Your Jalopy and Support The Arc
Is it time to finally let go of your old car? We know, you had a good run. You got far more mileage out of it than you thought you would. It was a good car right up until the end. But now the necessary repairs to get it back on the road just don’t make financial sense and it’s not worth nearly as much as you thought it might be as a trade-in. It’s time.
Don’t worry. Your old car is still valuable … in fact, it’s worth the world to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You see, The Arc can take your old car as a donation and turn it into cash to directly help people with IDD with such needs as employment, education, housing and advocacy to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
The Arc doesn’t care if your old car has some blemishes, a little rust, a dead battery or worse. Vehicles for Charity can take your clunker and turn it into cash at auction. To ensure your donation benefits our chapter, simply designate The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties as the recipient, and the proceeds will come directly to us.
It’s easy to get started. Donate online or call 1-866-628-CARS, arrange your free pickup, and claim your tax deduction. To donate and for more information, click here.
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Don't Miss Coffee House and People First!
Coffee House is on July 20!
Join us at our monthly social gathering. Coffee House is an occasion where everyone is welcome. Come and make new friends, mingle with people of all abilities, and promote inclusion in our community.
Thursday, July 20: 5:30 to 7:00 PM
Panera Bread - 650 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood
Attend People First on August 2!
People First is composed of self-advocates who meet to gain self-advocacy skills and make change. The group is a local chapter of the national organization Speaking For Ourselves. Monthly meetings are in person and can be joined virtually, too.
Wednesday, August 2: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
In Person at The Arc's Office -- 13949 W. Colfax Ave, #102, Lakewood
Or, to join by Zoom at the meeting start time: click here
For more information about People First and/or to join the meeting, click here.
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