IN THIS ISSUE...
  • Where Are We Now? Covid Level Red Coming Soon For Jefferson County
  • Gratitude Changes Your Brain!
  • SABE GoVoter Wants To Hear About Self-Advocates' Voter Experiences
  • Zoom On In For A Daily Self-Advocate Hang-out
  • Taking Love To The Streets

Where Are We Now? Covid Level Red Coming Soon for Jefferson County
Severe Risk of Infection in Denver Metro Area

The State of Colorado has tweaked its Covid advisory levels by modifying Code Red to “Severe Risk” and adding Code Purple as “Extreme Risk,” the new, highest level of restrictions.

A Code Red has been issued for most of the Denver Metro area starting on Friday, November 20, including Jefferson County. Code Red means that Covid transmissions are very high and hospitalizations are increasing.

Code Red asks residents to limit their indoor activities to people within the same household, meaning you all live together. However, Code Red is no longer a “stay at home order” - that designation is now reserved for Code Purple.

To facilitate the new Code Red restrictions, indoor activities are either prohibited or strictly limited. For example, indoor dining at restaurants will no longer be allowed but take-out orders and dining outside are both still permitted. Additionally, capacity limits for retail stores, gyms, offices, and churches are also further restricted.

To see a detailed chart of all of the new Covid capacity restrictions CLICK HERE. To read more information on Covid from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment CLICK HERE.
Gratitude Changes Your Brain!

The Arc’s new website-based Gratitude Tree is live (CLICK HERE) and is adding fresh gratitude leaves from our community every week.

According to researchers at University of California, Berkely’s Greater Good Science Center, there are a few good reasons to participate in a gratitude practice. Here are a couple of those reasons:

  1. Gratitude separates positive and negative thoughts helping you shift away from negative emotions.
  2. Gratitude helps even if you don’t share your thoughts with others – but please share your gratitude with The Arc.
  3. Gratitude affects the brain now and even later on, meaning it can have lasting effects and build over time.

Share and grow your gratitude by CLICKING HERE to add a leaf to The Arc’s gratitude tree. Your brain and your attitude will thank you! The Arc thanks you too! We are grateful for the leaves below that have been submitted by our readers and staff...
SABE GoVoter Wants To Hear About Self-Advocates’ Voter Experiences

Hopefully, if you were eligible to vote for president and in local elections on November 3, you easily and safely cast your ballot. With more than 148 million ballots cast nationwide, a lot of other people joined you!

Now that the ballots have been counted, SABE (Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered) wants to hear from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) about their voting experiences.

The 2020 SABE GoVoter Experience Survey’s goal is to collect voting information and use it to improve the voting process for self-advocates and others with accessibility issues. No personal information is collected, just your city and state, so no one will know your survey answers.

If you are a self-advocate (person with I/DD), please take a few minutes and fill-out SABE’s survey CLICK HERE. The deadline to participate is January 15, 2021.
Zoom On In For A Daily Self-Advocate Hang-out

Speaking for Ourselves - Colorado, led by president Julian Wang, has a daily Zoom meeting for self-advocates called “Self Advocates Speaking Freely.” Held daily from 1 PM – 11 PM Mountain Standard Time, you can join the group anytime during those hours.

To receive the Zoom meeting code and password, you first must join the Speaking for Ourselves - Colorado Facebook group CLICK HERE. Once a member of the group, you will be able to access all of the meeting details.

This meeting is available to self-advocates from all over the world and is a great spot to socialize, ask others questions, and brainstorm ideas.

Don’t let the restrictions of Covid-19 stop you from being a part of a group activity. Join today!
Taking Love To The Streets
An Article from Disability Scoop


During a season of political signs dotting neighborhoods and sign tossers luring shoppers into their stores, there is a new kind of sign on the streets of Marquette, Michigan.

Sarah Still, a lovely autistic woman, too stressed by today’s world, decided to take it upon herself to spread positive and uplifting messages. Messages like “The Revolution of Love is Here” and “Sending Love and Miracles” are all printed on handmade, art-decorated signs.

Still said, “I really feel that I’m being called to do more of the arts and more of the spread the love, because we really need it right now.”

You can read all about Sarah and her inspirational signs and messages at DisabilityScoop.com.
THE ARC IS OPEN - OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED (UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)

In an effort to protect our clients, staff, board, volunteers and community members, The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties physical offices will be closed effective immediately (Friday, March 13) until further notice due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Please note that services will continue to be provided, as staff will be working remotely and communicating via phone, text and email. All in-person meetings, events and scheduled trainings will be canceled or postponed. When our physical offices reopen, our website and social media platforms will provide such information. CLICK HERE for more information.