The Mission of the Center for People with Disabilities

is to provide resources, information and advocacy to assist people with disabilities in overcoming barriers to independent living.

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The Center for People with Disabilities works so that people with disabilities in the greater Boulder-Denver area may live independently. We believe that there is nothing more disabling than pity. People with disabilities are a powerful and significant part of our community, yet, overall, our social roles have been marginalized by bigotry, discrimination, poverty, isolation, dependency, and pity. Americans with disabilities have not had the same access to transportation, housing, employment and other public resources as most citizens. Our long term vision is one of integration and equality.

What We Do

A button for Information and Referral with the image of two women working at a desk. One woman is sitting in a wheelchair, the other is in a chair behind the desk.

A button that says Peer Support place in the lower right corner of an image of three women playing a game at a table. One woman is sitting in a wheelchair, the other woman in the middle has long blond hair and is looking at a game device, and the third woman on the far left is wearing a face mask, has long brown hair, and is reaching across the table to the game pieces.

This is a button that says Transition Services, placed on top of an image of a man in a wheelchair hugging a woman sitting on a couch.

A button that says Employment Program placed in the lower right hand corner of an image of a woman with Downs Syndrome working on a laptop at a desk.

A button that says Beyond Vision placed in the lower right hand corner of an image of a group of five woman. They are the staff of the Beyond Vision program. Two of the women carry walking canes for the visually impaired.

A button that says Veterans Independent Program place in the lower right hand corner of an image of a man in a wheelchair wearing military fatigues with outstretched arms as his two children run towards him for a hug.

Three women are in a kitchen around a table. The woman on the far left is in a wheelchair and is holding a rolling pin. The woman in the middle has a bowl filled with flour in front of her. The woman on the right is rolling dough. The label in the lower right corner says Skills Training.

Advocacy

The underlying philosophy and effort in our Advocacy Program is to bring equality and integration to society for people with disabilities.

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Individual Advocacy

Our Individual Advocacy Program works with people with disabilities to inform, educate and empower individuals to self-advocate. We teach people what their rights are, what the laws are, and how to be assertive in the face of discrimination or even misunderstanding.

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Systems Advocacy

Systems advocacy is about working with and improving the systems that provide, benefits, resources, accessibility and equality to people with disabilities.

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What is the Independent Living Philosophy?

Independent Living Philosophy believes that all people, regardless of ability, should have access to places, information, and opportunities that allow them to live independently.

What is a Center for Independent Living (CIL)?

A Center for Independent Living (CIL), like CPWD, is a nonprofit dedicated to providing programs that align with Independent Living Philosophy so that all people with any disability have access to services that will assist them in achieving and maintaining Independence.

Stay Updated

Amber’s Story: A Journey to Employment and Independence

Sep 18, 2023

With support and assistance, over a period of years, Amber brought her life from being stuck at home with debilitating mental illness, to being fully engaged at a job, socially, and in her family. Her story is one of hope and empowerment, and also one...

Disability Voting Rights and Voting Accessibility

Sep 11, 2023

This week (9/11 – 9/18/23) is Disability Voting Rights Week. It’s a time to emphasize that all citizens have the right to vote and that a disability shouldn’t be a barrier to participation in this civic right and duty. However, historically, in-person elections...

Centers for Independent Living, Yesterday and Today

Sep 5, 2023

Centers for Independent Living (CILSs) are unique disability service organizations born out of the Independent Living Movement. Unlike typical human services case management, which may “do for” an individual or dictate necessary tasks or activities, CILs strive...