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

Disability Voting Rights Week: September 14-18, 2026

[Image description: In the lobby of The IC, a sign with an arrow pointing to the left says "Vote Here."]

As fall approaches and the election season kicks into gear, it's important to remember the value of exercising our constitutional right to vote. 

This week, September 14-18, is Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW), which always serves as a great reminder to register, educate, and vote!

Why DVRW Matters

Disability Voting Rights Week is a movement aimed at ensuring that every eligible voter with a disability can participate fully in our democracy. Despite more than 38 million people with disabilities being eligible to vote, many face access barriers that prevent them from casting their ballots. 

DVRW, formerly known as National Disability Voter Registration Week, is organized by the American Association of People with Disabilities’ REV UP Voting Campaign. Its mission is to eliminate these barriers and champion the rights of disabled voters.

What You Can Do

1.  Check Your Voter Registration Status - Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Follow this link to check your voter registration status: https://www.coloradosos.gov/voter/pages/pub/olvr/findVoterReg.xhtml
2. Register to Vote - Ready to make sure you’re all set? Follow this link to register to vote! https://www.coloradosos.gov/voter/pages/pub/olvr/verifyNewVoter.xhtml
3. Learn about the issues - Understanding how issues impact you and your community! Follow this link to learn more about the issues on the 2026 ballot in Colorado: https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_elections,_2026
4. For general information about voting in Colorado: https://www.coloradosos.gov/voter/pages/pub/home.xhtml

What are key deadlines for the November 2026 election?

Registration deadlines

• In person during early voting: Oct. 26
• In person at voting location on Election Day: Nov. 3
• Online: Nov. 3
• By mail: Nov. 3 (must be received by Nov. 3, postmark date is not considered)

Voting deadlines

• Early voting: varies by location
• Return ballot by mail (received by): Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m. MST
• Return ballot in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m. MST

Be on the lookout for your ballot! Colorado sends ballots to actively registered voters in mid-October.

Despite recent decisions from the Trump administration regarding mail-in voting, Colorado's election this year will be the same as it has been, according to Colorado election officials.

Your Power to Make a Difference

Disability Voting Rights Week is about more than one election! It’s about recognizing the significance of every election. From school boards to state representatives, every vote counts and has the potential to impact vital issues like accessible housing, economic justice, and democracy itself.

Join us in making a difference! Together, we can ensure our democracy is a more inclusive and accessible place for all, so that everyone is Known, Valued, and Included.

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

You Can Vote at The IC!

Uncertainty about accessibility and the availability of accommodations at polling places can discourage people from exercising their right to vote. In an effort to ensure everyone's access to the electoral process, The IC will again open our facility as a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) for this year’s November elections.

Our building is fully accessible, meaning anyone can come in and utilize the space, regardless of disability. An accessible voting machine will be available, with certified election officials on-hand to answer questions. By voting at The IC, you can cast your vote independently and with privacy. If you’ve already filled out a ballot, there will also be a ballot drop box where your ballot can be officially and securely deposited.

In the last general election, hundreds of people cast their votes at The IC! As the home of disability civil rights in the Pikes Peak Region, The IC is proud to do our part to make sure that our community is able to exercise their voting rights.

Keep an eye on our social media and future newsletters for more information, including dates and times that The IC will be open as a VSPC!

If you want to know more about accessible voting at The IC, please call us at 719-471-8181 or email us at this link: info@the-ic.org

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

September is Deaf Awareness Month

[Image description: The logo of this year's International Week of Deaf People, which is a design of two open hands on either side of a series of concentric arcs. On the top side are five stars in red, yellow, green, blue, and black, all above "2026."]

Every September we observe Deaf Awareness Month to celebrate the history and diversity of the d/Deaf community. This time is also an opportunity to draw attention to the importance of ensuring full access and participation for d/Deaf people.

This month encompasses the International Week of Deaf People, recognized by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). It will be celebrated from September 21 through 27. This year's theme is "Declaring Deaf People's Human Rights." For information about how the WFD is honoring the week, go to this link: https://wfdeaf.org/international-week-of-deaf-people-2026/

We encourage everyone throughout the week and the whole month to take some time to learn about d/Deaf culture! The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has compiled answers to some frequently asked questions and misconceptions about Deaf culture and community at this link:

https://nad.org/knowledge-hub/american-sign-language/community-and-culture-frequently-asked-questions/

A central part of the d/Deaf community is American Sign Language (ASL). Even if you aren't d/Deaf or hard of hearing, consider learning ASL! Here in Colorado Springs, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind offers ASL classes at several levels for anyone in the community. Go to this link to learn more:

https://csdb.colorado.gov/outreach/asl-community-classes

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

Free Workshops to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month

[Image description: On one side, a graphic with four boxes containing symbols of a person using a wheelchair, a hard hat, a person reading a book, and the sign for ASL interpreting. Next to these, the words "Pathways to Progress" and "Free Virtual Workshop Series." Body text says "In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, join us throughout October 2026 for virtual presentations focused on employment of people with disabilities."]

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year Workforce Colorado Pikes Peak and the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehab are offering a series of free virtual workshops and webinars! Throughout the month, anyone can enjoy these presentations and workshops about disability, accessibility, and inclusive employment.

All of the webinars are free and online, but each one requires registration, so make sure to reserve your space!

To find out more about the workshops and to register, go to the link below:

https://ppwfc.org/pathways-to-progress-2026/

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

Disability Awareness Trainings

[Image description: A man with glasses and short black hair gestures up towards a projector screen. The backs of some people's heads are visible as they watch him.]

Did you know that The IC offers free disability awareness trainings to organizations and businesses in our community? Members of our Team will come to you and share an enjoyable, information-packed presentation about any of the following topics:

• Disability Etiquette and Awareness
• Introduction to Service Animals
• Introduction to Reasonable Accommodation
• Introduction to Neurodiversity
• Introduction to Universal Design and Visitability

These trainings can help ensure that people with disabilities are given the same treatment and have the same access as people without disabilities, and they can make customers and employees feel more comfortable in interactions!

Trainings can be modified to suit the needs or time allowance of your request, so make sure to let us know what would work best for you. To learn more about or to request a training, please contact Daniel Kehn, our Community Outreach Specialist, at 
dkehn@the-ic.org or at 719-471-8181 ext. 186.

We're always thrilled to share our expertise and knowledge with members of the community, and together we can all help make the Pikes Peak Region a place where everyone is Known, Valued, and Included.

[Image description: A man with short brown hair wearing a short sleeved blue 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"]