We are pleased to announce that Colorado Lieutenant Governor Primavera signed a series of bills to promote accessibility including HB23-1296 Create Task Force Study Rights Persons Disabilities, HB23-1032 Remedies Persons With Disabilities, and HB23-1136 Prosthetic Devices For Recreational Activity, in her capacity as acting governor. This is a tremendous victory for all people with disabilities in Colorado! Below are brief descriptions of each bill as outlined by the colorado.gov website.

 

HB23-1296 Create Task Force Study Rights Persons Disabilities

BILL SUMMARY

The bill creates the task force on the rights of Coloradans with disabilities (task force) in the Colorado civil rights commission. The task force shall create a minimum of 4 subcommittees to study and make recommendations on specific issues related to persons with disabilities:

The rewrite subcommittee, which must study and make recommendations concerning the various issues related to the rewrite and modernization of the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning civil rights of persons with disabilities;
The outdoors subcommittee, which must study and make recommendations related to the basic accessibility of outdoor spaces for persons with disabilities;
The housing subcommittee, which must study and make recommendations related to the affordability, accessibility, and attainability of housing for persons with disabilities; and
The government subcommittee, which must focus on basic physical and programmatic accessibility within state and local government.

Minimum mandatory membership and reporting requirements are outlined for the task force and each subcommittee. The task force shall produce a final report, including recommendations, to submit the governor and general assembly on or before January 30, 2025.

 

HB23-1032 Remedies Persons With Disabilities

BILL SUMMARY:

The bill establishes that a person must first exhaust the proceedings and remedies available to them before filing an action in district court based on an alleged discriminatory or unfair practice related to certain employment practices, housing practices, or discriminatory advertising.

The bill prohibits an individual with a disability from being excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities provided by a place of public accommodation.

Lastly, the bill requires that, in certain civil suits, an individual with a disability is entitled to a court order requiring compliance with applicable provisions along with either actual monetary damages or a statutory fine.

 

HB23-1136 Prosthetic Devices For Recreational Activity

BILL SUMMARY:

For the purposes of health insurance coverage for a prosthetic device (device), the bill requires a health insurance carrier to provide coverage for an additional device for a covered person under 26 years of age if the covered person’s treating physician determines that the additional device is necessary for the covered person to engage in physical and recreational activity and to maximize the covered person’s upper limb functions.

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The Unseen: Understanding Invisible Disabilities

The Unseen: Understanding Invisible Disabilities

Invisible disabilities, often referred to as hidden disabilities, are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Unlike visible disabilities, which may be physically evident, invisible disabilities are conditions that affect a person’s functioning in ways that are not always outwardly observable. These conditions can impact individuals’ daily lives, relationships, and career prospects.

Some common examples of invisible disabilities include:

Chronic illnesses: Conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes can cause significant limitations but may not be outwardly visible.
Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are examples of mental health conditions that can have a profound impact on a person’s life but may not be immediately apparent.
Sensory impairments: Hearing loss and vision impairments that are not immediately apparent can significantly affect a person’s daily life.
Neurological conditions: Conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and traumatic brain injury can cause a wide range of challenges but may not be immediately evident.
Chronic pain: Chronic pain conditions, such as migraines or nerve pain, can be debilitating but may not have visible symptoms.