IN THIS ISSUE...
  • 60 Voices That Shine - #31
  • Address The Worker Shortage: Hire People With Disabilities
  • Extended Hiring Deadline For Director of Child & Family Advocacy Positions
  • Let Your Spirit Shine At This Free, Inclusive Concert
  • All Aboard For A Free Train Ride
  • Case Management Redesign July Listening Sessions
  • Free Book: 30 Years Of Community Living For Individuals With IDD
60 Voices That Shine - #31

As Communications & Outreach Director for The Arc, Valerie Smith is surrounded by amazing things. She gets to hear stories of incredible achievement, and she gets to write about them, make graphics and videos about them, and determine how best to share these achievements with as many people as possible. One of the thing she loves most about her job is how she can use these stories to help break down stereotypes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Another thing Valerie gets to do at her job is to bring wonderfully diverse and fascinating people together. Fortunately, it happens frequently at The Arc through events, self-advocacy groups, community outreach, Developmental Disability Awareness Month (March), our 60th Anniversary, LifeAbility Talks, and so much more.

Speaking of LifeAbility Talks, in 2010, when she first started at The Arc, Valerie barely knew what the term self-advocate meant. It’s a term we use for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who advocate for themselves and actively participate in decisions about their lives. Before long, she was working closely with people who had been self-advocates for decades, and, luckily, they helped her see what it was all about. Now, she gets to participate in the development of LifeAbility Talks, which are fun and educational events designed for and presented by self-advocates. It’s definitely another highlight of her job.

After reading this article, you might be thinking that Valerie is fortunate to have an exceptionally fantastic job. It may sound to you like she gets to work with resilient and awesome people who achieve great things. If that’s what you’re thinking, you would be absolutely correct, and for all these things she thanks her lucky stars every day.

To see all of the “60 Voices That Shine” featured thus far or for more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE.
Address The Worker Shortage:
Hire People With Disabilities

Everyone in our community likely knows our friend Lloyd Lewis, president and CEO of arc Thrift Stores. This week, he laid down the gauntlet and issued a challenge to all businesses but especially those that claim to be having a hard time hiring workers. That challenge? Seek out opportunities in your business to employ people with disabilities.
 
He is proud to employ people with Down Syndrome, autism, and other intellectual or physical disabilities in his arc Thrift Stores. He thinks that other businesses can do the same. By employing people with IDD, businesses are giving them a sense of pride, self-worth, and confidence.

For the businesses, they get happy, committed, and hard-working employees.
 
“Because the truth is, employing people with IDD is smart strategy and only makes us all more successful. When employers create a culture of belonging, they gain competent, dependable employees and help workers with disabilities to stretch their limits,” said Lewis.
 
To read Lewis’ entire article featured in The Colorado Sun, CLICK HERE. And if you know anyone hiring, share the article and ask them to step up and accept the challenge to hire people with IDD.
Extended Hiring Deadline For Director Of Child & Family Advocacy Positions
Is This Job Right For You Or Someone You Know?

Spread the word – we have extended the application deadline for the two new Director of Child & Family Advocacy positions to Thursday, July 29. These positions offer a real, hands-on way to positively influence our IDD community while working for an organization that values every staff member. If you or someone you know is qualified, apply today!
 
Director of Child & Family Advocacy - Two Openings
 
In response to the ever-growing need for advocacy for children and families, The Arc needs TWO new Directors of Child & Family Advocacy. Could you be one of them?
 
Our two new directors must have a passion for ensuring that all children have full access to our community and everything they need to live their best lives. They must be able to meet parents where they are on their journey, and to empower them to be their child’s lifelong advocate, while at the same time encourage parents to listen to their children’s voices as well.
 
The foundation of the Child & Family team is to educate and equip families with information on to how to navigate different systems, including private and public healthcare, financial, public education, behavioral health, recreational, and other community access.
 
In addition, the Child & Family Team serves on community committees to represent the needs of people with IDD and we provide relevant training & outreach to parents and community stakeholders. This position requires working collaboratively with all staff to continuously strengthen and improve the effectiveness of The Arc’s programs across the lifespan (i.e., birth through end of life).
 
For more information, CLICK HERE and apply no later than Thursday, July 29!
Let Your Spirit Shine At This Free, Inclusive Concert

Perhaps nothing makes your spirit shine like live music. The beat gets your foot tapping. The melody gets you humming along. If you are looking for ways to let your spirit shine, then you should attend the Shine Music Festival – it’s FREE.

This inclusive live concert event was designed to be accessible to people of all abilities and is the first of its kind in Denver.
 
Shine Music Festival
Levitt Pavillion (in Ruby Hill Park)
Sunday, August 8
Early Access Entry: 11:30 AM
Show Begins at 1:00 PM
 
Shine Music and its ticketing partner Good Elephant are offering free tickets! Good Elephant’s ticketing platform will store a QR code with your ticketing information and also share day-of-event information such as the schedule, venue map, food locations/menus, and more.
 
CLICK HERE to get your free ticket and use the RSVP code FORTE. By using this code, you will have early access entry at 11:30 AM, whereas public entry begins at 12 NOON, with the show starting at 1:00 PM.
 
You can also register for family or friends who will be joining you. Simply click the “Bring A Friend” button after submitting your request. Note that if your friends will be arriving separately, they will need to create their own Good Elephant account and get their own free tickets. Capacity is limited to 7,500, so you should act quickly.
 
For more information, CLICK HERE. Consider joining others for a day filled with music, art, food, and fun!
All Aboard For A Free Train Ride

There is something special about riding a train, whether it is an Amtrak or one of RTD’s light rail trains. What’s even more special is when you can do it for free! Denver Regional Mobility & Access Council (DRMAC) invites its members to join them for a FREE roundtrip ride on RTD’s new N-Line light rail through Commerce City, Thornton, and Northglenn and back.
 
This isn’t just any ride either. RTD Director Troy Whitmore will be the guide, and the trip concludes with the opportunity to enjoy ice cream at Union Station. The ice cream will be sold at a discount, while the light rail trip is FREE.
 
Ride the N Line with DRMAC
Tuesday, August 3
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Round-trip from Union Station
 
Space is limited, so register by contacting Carol at [email protected]
 
If you are passionate about transportation, you are also invited to join DRMAC’s Transit Advocate Task Force as a volunteer. This group focuses on the transit needs of people with mobility challenges. For more information about volunteering, contact Stephanie at [email protected]
Case Management Redesign July Listening Sessions

If you or a family member are receiving services through the Children’s Extensive Services Waiver (CES), the Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS), or the DD Waiver (which includes residential supports) we would like your attention.
 
There will be three listening sessions in July regarding case management services and changes being made. The future of HCBS case management will be discussed and the feedback received during the listening sessions will be used to make decisions on key policy areas.

These sessions offer an opportunity for members and families to share their perspectives on home and community-based services (HCBS) and what it means to them.
 
Zoom Virtual Meetings
Meeting ID: 969 4053 6000
Meeting Passcode: 502578
Call-in option: 1-877-853-5257 (For participants listening only and not participating online)
 
Tuesday, July 27
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
 
Tuesday, July 27
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
 
Wednesday, July 28
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
 
During each meeting attendees will view a brief video about the efforts to redesign the case management system. Members and families will also participate in small group discussions based on their geographic locations.
 
If you are a Health First Colorado member or family member of someone that receives HCBS services, it is important to attend if you can. For more information, CLICK HERE.
Free Book:
30 Years of Community Living for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 was a real and positive turning point for those with disabilities. Now, after being law for thirty years, a new book is reflecting back on the evolution of the integration and inclusion of people with IDD in our country during this period of time.
 
This book titled “30 Years of Community Living for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities” focuses on the most pressing issues affecting people with IDD and their families. This 52-page book features infographics, photos, and accessible language while exploring where people live, if and where they work, and how public money is spent on supports.
 
Reviewing data and stories of inclusion for people with IDD, the book presents its findings in four key areas:

  1. Community Living (where people live and paid support)
  2. Community Employment (jobs and job integration)
  3. Expenditures (changes in funding to support IDD)
  4. Technology (funding and the growing need)
 
The book highlights several positive take-a-ways, including the progress that has been made for people with IDD in the past 30 years. It also explores the areas that still need work, like the variations of benefits between states and a lack of employment opportunities. The book ends with personal perspectives on community living and inclusion from self-advocates.
 
To download this FREE informative book written and published through the Projects of National Significance Program, CLICK HERE.