Executive Director Lori Ropa Featured in the Denver Post

We are excited to share that a message from Executive Director Lori Ropa was published this month in the Denver Post!

Lori’s letter to the Post, “People with Autism are Human First,” highlighted the importance of centering humanity in conversations about autism. The letter was published in the paper’s October 5 edition—an amazing opportunity to reach those beyond our Arc community with this important perspective!

You can read Lori’s letter, originally published as an Arc news alert, by clicking here.

Protect the Rights of Students with Disabilities

Disability advocates are raising the alarm about reductions in force (RIFs) at the Department of Education that could put the education of students with disabilities in jeopardy.

Last week, at the direction of the Administration, multiple agencies sent RIFs to thousands of staff members, including almost all staff members in the Education Department’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). This office plays a vital role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the services and support they need to succeed in school. The office also:

• Enforces the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), making sure schools follow the law.
• Funds programs to train and support special education teachers.
• Helps parents of students with disabilities understand their rights and advocate for their children.
• Oversees programs that assist youth and adults with disabilities with employment.

Without enough staff members to carry out these duties, the education of millions of students could be put at risk.

The Arc-JCC&GC has signed onto this letter calling on the Administration and Congress to reverse course on Department of Education layoffs.

If you agree that staff should not be reduced at OSERS, take action! Click the image above to tell Congress to protect OSERS.

Learn About Legislative Advocacy with CCDC

Calling all self-advocates: If you want to learn the basics of legislative advocacy and how to use your voice for change, be sure to tune into CCDC’s upcoming webinars!

The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC) is holding its virtual Legislative Advocacy 101 and 102 trainings to help self-advocates prepare for the 2026 legislative session. Over the course of the two trainings, you will learn:

• How the legislature works (Legislative Advocacy 101)
• How to advocate at the legislature (Legislative Advocacy 102)

Sessions will be available at the following times:

Legislative Advocacy 101

• Oct 22, 5:30pm-7:00pm
  Register here to receive the meeting link.

• Dec 10, 5:30pm-7:00pm
  Register here to receive the meeting link.

Legislative Advocacy 102

• Oct 29, 5:30pm-7:30pm
  Register here to receive the meeting link.

• Dec 11, 5:30pm-7:30pm
  Register here to receive the meeting link.

Please note that AI notetakers will not be allowed during these trainings. If you use an AI notetaker as an accommodation, please reach out to info@ccdconline.org to discuss other solutions.

ABLE Accounts Will Be Available to More People Jan 1

Starting next year, more people will be eligible to open a Colorado ABLE Account!

What is an ABLE Account? ABLE Accounts are savings accounts for people with qualifying disabilities that can be used to pay for many types of expenses, including housing, education, transportation, and more.

With an ABLE Account, the account holder can contribute a certain amount of money to the account each year. Money in the account does not impact Medicaid eligibility, and the first $100,000 in the account does not count against Supplemental Security Income (SSI) asset limits. In other words, ABLE Accounts allow people with disabilities to save more money without losing SSI or Medicaid!

How is eligibility expanding? Currently, to qualify, a person’s disability must have started before the age of 26. But beginning January 1, anyone who has a qualifying disability that started before age 46 will be eligible, opening this resource up to more people.

How do I open an ABLE Account? You can start by learning more about the application and checking your eligibility. Click here to read more.