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In This Issue:

NDEAM: Finding a Job and Excelling at it!
It's Digital Citizenship Week
Arc Chapters Are Fundraising for Hurricane Relief
Celebrate Halloween at 4 Local Events
The CSEAC Is Seeking Applicants
Tell Congress: Invest in Childcare for Children with Disabilities
See You at Coffee House Tomorrow!

Woman with long brown hair holds tablet smiling NDEAM Finding a job and Excelling at it text on orange background

Q&A with Katie Taliercio

Looking for a new job is exciting, but often, it comes with a lot of questions, too. In light of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we spoke to Katie Taliercio

about her perspectives on disability employment and job-hunting best practices!

Katie is the Disability Employment First Collaboration Manager at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and is part of the Colorado Employment First Advisory Partnership (EFAP). Also known as the Employment For All Partnership, EFAP is a collaboration of several organizations that works with the state to promote disability inclusion in the workplace.

Read The Full Interview

Three people using technology surround a giant smartphone showing 2024 and digital icons above a glowing globe

It's Digital Citizenship Week

October 14 through 18 marks Digital Citizenship Week! “Digital Citizenship” means using digital tools, like the internet, in a safe and responsible way. This includes being mindful of what you share online so you can protect your privacy. It also includes being kind to others online.

If you are wondering how you can use the internet responsibly, the Communication Resources on our Healthy Relationships webpage give insight on this topic.

The Green Mountain Self-Advocates have also created two helpful tools: “Dealing with Scams and Abuse” and “Dating on the Internet.”

Key tips:

Remember that everything you post online, including photos, is going out to the public. It can be helpful to ask yourself, “Would I want this information to be in the newspaper?” If the answer is no, you should not post the information or photo online.
Sometimes, people online lie about who they are, which is called catfishing. If you are virtually chatting with someone new, kindly ask for proof that they are who they say they are (for example, hop on a video call together).
To stay safe, do not meet strangers in-person. Never send strangers your address, no matter what they say or ask.

This week, take a moment to consider how you can be a safe and responsible Digital Citizen!

Volunteers wearing white shirts pack food items like cabbage and canned goods into donation bags on a table.

Arc Chapters Are Fundraising

for Hurricane Relief

Many structures have been left with extensive damage and tens of thousands are still without power after the two recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, that passed through Florida and neighboring states.

In the impacted areas, local chapters of The Arc are working to recover and to support those in need. For those interested, there are several ways you can take part in these recovery efforts. Please read on for more information.

The Arc of Bradford County (Starke, FL)

This chapter is gathering supplies and donations, which will go to chapters that are assisting vulnerable communities affected by Hurricane Milton. Surplus donations will go to heavily impacted communities. Click here for more information.

The Arc of North Carolina

This chapter has set up a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund for staff members who live or work in western North Carolina, where flooding caused major destruction. Click here for more information.

The Arc of North Florida (Live Oak, FL)

This chapter is raising money to repair a group home that was significantly damaged by a tornado. Residents of the group home have temporarily relocated to a short-term rental. Several vehicles also were damaged. Click here to make a donation.

Celebrate Halloween at

4 Local Events

Fall is moving frightfully fast and Halloween is already almost here! From spooky nights at the Denver Zoo to accessible trick-or-treating in Lakewood, there are numerous Halloween events happening locally this year. See the list below for nearby happenings where you can celebrate the spookiest season of the year.

Boo at the Zoo

This ticketed trick-or-treat event invites guests to Denver Zoo, where they can visit candy stations and potentially spot Bigfoot, mermaids, and other crazy creatures. A sensory-friendly night will be held on Halloween itself.

The Denver Zoo: 2300 Steele St., Denver, CO 80205
Multiple dates; Sensory-friendly night on Oct. 31, 5:00PM-9:00PM

PASCO Trick-or-Treat Street

This Lakewood-based, accessible trick-or-treating experience includes games, food, and plenty of candy. The event is video-game-themed this year, and guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite video game character. This event is free to attend, but RSVPs are requested.

PASCO: 9197 W. 6th Ave Suite 1000, Lakewood, CO 80215
Friday, Oct. 25, 4:00PM–7:00PM

Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns

Follow a glowing trail of thousands of jack-o'-lanterns and other lights at The Hudson Gardens. Tickets for this event are available for multiple nights throughout the next two weeks.

The Hudson Gardens & Events Center: 6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Tuesday-Sunday evenings through Nov. 2

BOOMAR

This Halloween celebration will be jam-packed with a costume parade, bounce houses, face-painting, and more. The event begins at noon and the trick-or-treat street portion begins at 1:00PM. This event is free to attend, but RSVPs are requested.

Belmar: 439 South Upham St., Lakewood, CO 80226
Saturday, Oct. 26, 12:00PM-3:00PM

A woman stands in front of a group of seated people in a conference room with large screens.

The CSEAC Is Seeking Applicants

The Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) is seeking new members. This state-level committee aims to represent youth with disabilities and impact the decisions made on their behalf, ensuring all learners have their educational needs met. The committee includes:

Individuals with disabilities
Parents of individuals with disabilities
Educational service providers
Administrators in education
Representatives from various agencies

To learn more or apply, visit the CSEAC’s website. The deadline to apply is January 17, 2025.

A woman holds a young child wrapped in a colorful blanket while they both rest on a couch.

Tell Congress: Invest in Childcare for Children

with Disabilities

Did you know that half of the country lives in a childcare desert, where the number of kids under age five far exceeds the number of childcare slots?

What’s more, the Center for American Progress estimates that the share of children with disabilities who cannot be placed in childcare is higher, as many childcare programs are inaccessible. In fact, parents of children with disabilities are three times more likely than their counterparts to have job disruptions due to a childcare issue.

If you want Congress to address this childcare crisis, take action! Through The Arc’s website, you can ask Congress to consider a significant investment in childcare programs and additional oversight of antidiscrimination laws. Click here for more information.