In This Issue:

• Teens and Young Adults: We Want to Hear from You!
• The Arc and Disability Rights Organizations Condemn Texas v. Kennedy Outcome
• Introducing 2026/2027's Year-Round Sponsors!
• Shop Spooky Styles at arc Thrift
• Register Now for The Arc's National Convention
• Upcoming Webinars About LTSS Changes
• What's Happening This Month?

Teens and Young Adults: We Want to Hear from You!

Help us create new self-advocacy programs and activities for teens and young adults with IDD! We're looking for self-advocates ages 14-30 to take a quick online survey sharing what matters to them and what activities interest them.

If you are a teen or young adult with IDD, we want to hear from you! Your responses will help us develop new opportunities for younger self-advocates that are fun, accessible, and meaningful.

The virtual survey should take about five minutes to complete.

Thank you for helping us shape something new—with you, not for you. 

The Arc and Disability Rights Organizations Condemn Texas v. Kennedy Outcome

Last week, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted an order implementing a settlement between the federal government, Texas, and four other states. The court order vacates provisions referencing the longstanding right to community integration for people with disabilities in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federally funded programs. The federal government’s Section 504 regulations have included integration provisions since 1977. The court’s order in Texas v. Kennedy accepting the parties’ agreement breaks with decades of caselaw recognizing and upholding the right of people with disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities.

We strongly and unequivocally condemn the federal government's abandonment of its duty to enforce the right of people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities.

The right to live in the community is a matter of equality, inclusion, choice, freedom, and so much more for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Here in Colorado, our chapter of The Arc has been hard at work making sure public officials and lawmakers know how essential this right is. Last year, Board Member Molly Kirkham and Consulting Advocate Brent Belisle testified before lawmakers in support of HB 25-1017, aimed at enshrining in Colorado state law the right to live in the most integrated and least restrictive setting. Because of this work, the bill became law in 2025—but the decision in Texas v. Kennedy reminds us that the work to protect our rights is never over. Please keep an eye on our eNewsletter to stay informed on our efforts to protect the right to live in the community.

Read the full statement about the Texas v. Kennedy outcome from The Arc of the United States and other disability rights organizations here.

Introducing 2026/2027's Year-Round Sponsors!

We are proud to announce our Year-Round Sponsors! These organizations are taking their support to the next level by signing up to support The Arc and our mission throughout the entire year.

Their generosity helps fuel the work we do every day to uplift and support people with IDD to achieve their goals, navigate systems, and make their voices heard.  

Many thanks to these organizations for their commitment to our mission and values.  

Interested in Year-Round Sponsorship? There’s still time to sign up!

Shop Spooky Styles at arc Thrift

Halloween is just around the corner, and there’s no better place to hunt for the perfect costume than at arc Thrift Stores. In the spirit of Halloween, arc Thrift is offering $5 off a purchase of $20 or more tomorrow, October 2nd. Click the image below to view or print the coupon.

The arc Thrift stores provide funding to chapters of The Arc here in Colorado—which means your purchase supports people with disabilities all across the state! arc Thrift has more than 30 locations across Colorado. Click here to find an arc Thrift location near you.

Register Now for The Arc's National Convention

Registration is open for The Arc of the United States’ National Convention! This three-day conference is a time to learn with and from members of the disability community from across the US. This year’s sessions will highlight everything from understanding neuro-inclusivity to exploring how AI tools can support people with disabilities.

The National Convention is a great opportunity for people with disabilities to build their self-advocacy skills and learn more about the issues affecting many in the disability community right now. Family members and professionals are also encouraged to attend!

When: November 18th-20th

Where: Hilton Portland Downtown – 921 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Register today! Self-advocates are eligible for a discounted registration rate. Click here to register or learn more.

Upcoming Webinars About LTSS Changes

The Department of Healthcare Policy & Financing (HCPF), which oversees Colorado’s Medicaid program, is holding several virtual meetings to help the public learn more about specific cuts to Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). These cuts are being made as a result of state budget challenges and the need for long-term financial sustainability in the state Medicaid program.

LTSS Sustainability Roundtable # 1 (Personal Care and Homemaker)

Option 1: October 6th, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Option 2: October 7th, 9:00am-10:30am

Where: Virtual. Register here.

These virtual meetings are the first in a series of roundtables in which HCPF will share trends, explain challenges, discuss potential policy approaches, and ask for input from members, families, advocates, providers, case managers, and others. This first wave of roundtables will focus on improving sustainability for the Personal Care and Homemaker benefits. Please note: Since the roundtables were first announced, HCPF has made changes to the format of the meeting. HCPF will explain potential cost-saving proposals, then use structured polling and other opportunities for input.

Before the meeting, you can review the potential cost-saving proposals that HCPF will be discussing here. You may also take a survey to give your feedback if you are unable to attend the roundtables.

Post-Eligibility Treatment of Income (PETI) for the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver: Technical Assistance and Q&A

When: Thursday, October 15th, 8:00am-10:00am

Where: Virtual. Register here.

As part of its cost-saving efforts, HCPF recently began to implement Post-Eligibility Treatment of Income (PETI) for members on the Developmental Disabilities (DD) waiver. At this meeting, HCPF staff will overview this change and answer questions about PETI and what it means in practice. Questions may be asked during the meeting or submitted in advance using this form.

What's Happening This Month?