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

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

[Image description: A blue box with fireworks graphics and photos of people with disabilities. The text "Celebrating Value and Talents National Disability Employment Awareness Month" is written in the center of the box above the logo of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the United States Department of Labor.]


In 1988, the United States Congress designated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to “acknowledge the contributions to the nation’s economy made by workers with disabilities, current and past.”

The right to work, and be paid fairly for that work, has been an ongoing struggle for many groups of people, and people with disabilities are no exception.

There remains lingering misconceptions and stereotypes that people with disabilities are not able to work and participate in society. In some states, workplaces can still legally pay disabled employees less than minimum wage.

Fortunately, Colorado has at long last phased this program out. Signed into law on June 29, 2021, SB21-039 prohibits employers in the state from paying employees with disabilities a sub-minimum wage after July 2025. People with disabilities make essential contributions in all areas of life, and the workplace is no exception.

You can read the proclamation from Colorado Governor Jared Polis declaring October 2025 National Disability Employment Awareness Month in our state at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QnBQo_8x5mV8oLiOhuiuDIYKpUBXMIdd/view

At The Independence Center, our mission is to support people with disabilities as they live independently and participate in life as fully as they wish. Being equitably paid for work is essential to this.

As a result, The IC is proud to recognize and share information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month in order to help everyone in our community be known, valued, and included.

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

New Blue Envelope Program Launches to Support Inclusive Law Enforcement Interactions

[Image description: A man at a podium labeled "El Paso County Sheriff's Office" holds up a paper. Six people stand behind and on either side of him in front of the logo of the Sheriff's Office.]

On September 29, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office proudly introduced the Blue Envelope Program. The initiative is designed to foster safer, more effective communication between law enforcement and individuals with disabilities.

This free program provides participants with a Blue Envelope kit which includes helpful communication tips to share with law enforcement officers, space to store essential documents, and a section to note emergency contacts and specific communication needs. 

Each kit also comes with Blue Envelope stickers and wallet-sized cards, serving as visual cues to signal the need for additional communication support or accommodations during interactions with first responders.

“We are launching this program with the commitment of our community and law enforcement partners across the Pikes Peak Region,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “The Blue Envelope Program strengthens understanding, prevents miscommunication, and helps ensure every encounter between deputies and individuals with disabilities is handled with patience, compassion, and respect.”

More than ten law enforcement agencies across Colorado have joined the effort, reflecting a shared dedication to inclusive and respectful public safety practices.

As a proud community partner, The Independence Center is honored to support the Blue Envelope Program and has received a supply of envelopes to distribute to individuals upon request.

To learn more about the program or to request a Blue Envelope kit, please visit:

https://epcsheriffsoffice.com/community/blue-envelope/

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

The IC Sponsors Vivien's Wild Ride at the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival

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The IC is proud to once again sponsor a film at the annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, taking place Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 19 on the campus of Colorado College. 

This year, we’re honored to support Vivien’s Wild Ride, a powerful documentary directed by longtime film editor Vivien Hillgrove.


After a 50-year career in the film industry, Vivien begins to lose her sight to macular degeneration. This experience prompts her to confront past trauma and reinvent herself as a disabled artist. The film is a deeply personal journey through loss, resilience, and transformation, touching on themes of disability, aging, identity, and belonging.


We encourage our community to attend the festival and experience this moving story. You can view the full festival schedule and purchase tickets at rmwfilm.org/festival/schedule.

Viven's Wild Ride will be shown at 4:30 p.m. in the Cornerstone Arts Center screening room, located at 825 N. Cascade Avenue, on Sunday, Oct. 19. 

In order to provide a more accessible viewing experience, open captions are available for the film, as well as for 35 other screenings across the festival weekend. ASL interpreters are available upon request by emailing info@rmwfilm.org. All of the buildings utilized for the festival are fully ADA accessible and welcoming for people of all abilities.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this remarkable story and the voices that continue to shape the conversation around disability, resilience, and creative reinvention.

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

Cast Your Vote for The IC! 
Ballots are Open for the Gazette's 2026 The Best of the Springs

[Image description: The logo of The IC next to text that says "Vote The Independence Center for Best Home Care Company, Best In-Home Care Provider, and Best Non-Profit." Below, a smiling young woman hugs the shoulders of an older smiling woman from behind.]

Thanks to all of you, The IC has been recognized with several "Best Of" awards over the years. Now we have another chance to shine in the Colorado Springs Gazette’s "Best of the Springs" awards!

This year, The IC is nominated for Best Home Care Company, Best Non-Profit, and Best In-Home Care Provider. If you’d like to help us go for gold (or silver! or bronze!), it just takes a couple of minutes to cast your vote.

Have you had a great experience with our Team, services, or programs? 
Vote for The IC!

Want to help spread the word about the work we do empowering people with disabilities?

Vote for The IC!

Love the Independent Living movement?

Vote for The IC!

Want to help us in our mission to build a world where EVERYONE is Known, Valued, and Included?

VOTE for The IC!

Voting ends on November 9, 2025.

Click on this link to vote: https://gazette.revfluent.com/bestof/portal/a252063b-1b09-4724-89e6-39165601e509

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt signs in American Sign Language.]

The IC's Holiday Schedule

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As we approach the end of the year, we would like to share our upcoming holiday office closures to help our Consumers and visitors plan accordingly.


• Tuesday, November 11 
  Our offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. 
  We will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12.
  
• Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28
  We will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
  
• Thursday, December 25 through Thursday, January 1, 2026
  Our offices will be closed for the holiday break, allowing our team time to rest and celebrate with loved ones.


We will resume regular office hours on Monday, January 5, 2026.


We appreciate your understanding and wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season!

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt 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/

[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"]