Beyond Vision: Thriving in Life After the Loss of Sight
Kyra Coates Kyra Coates

Beyond Vision: Thriving in Life After the Loss of Sight

Blindness and vision loss, whether partial or total, bring profound changes to a person’s daily life, both physically and emotionally. Adjusting to life after losing sight not only requires learning new skills, but also reckoning with and accepting that one of the primary ways we experience the world has changed, for good.  But with the right skills training, assistive tools and technology, support, and community, independent living and a fulfilling life are available.. For those experiencing vision loss, CPWD’s Beyond Vision program offers both skills training and personal support as a path to acceptance and independence.

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Access, Autonomy, and Advocacy: A Look at the DeafBlind Community
Kyra Coates Kyra Coates

Access, Autonomy, and Advocacy: A Look at the DeafBlind Community

People who are DeafBlind are individuals with both vision and hearing loss. Because they live in a world that functions primarily on sight and sound, they are some of the most resilient, creative, and determined people in the broader disability rights movement. Their lived experiences challenge us to reimagine how we can build an inclusive society based on accessibility, innovation, and empowerment.

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Peer Support: The Heart of Independent Living
Kyra Coates Kyra Coates

Peer Support: The Heart of Independent Living

Independent living isn’t just about providing services and supports for people with disabilities. It’s also about championing their human rights, regardless of ability. Independent Living Philosophy acknowledges that everyone has the right to be heard, seen and respected. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities affirms that all people deserve “respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy… and independence”.

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Good News for Colorado’s Disability Community: Recent Wins in Accessibility, Inclusion, and Innovation
Kyra Coates Kyra Coates

Good News for Colorado’s Disability Community: Recent Wins in Accessibility, Inclusion, and Innovation

In Colorado, several recent developments reflect the growing momentum toward equity, inclusion, and empowerment for people with disabilities. These victories are a testament to the power of community collaboration, thoughtful policy change, and technological innovation. From accessible sidewalks to inclusive hiring programs, here are four stories that are bringing hope to the disability community and momentum for future progress.

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Mental Health Challenges: An Invisible Disability
Invisible Disability Kyra Coates Invisible Disability Kyra Coates

Mental Health Challenges: An Invisible Disability

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. CPWD is working to raise awareness about invisible disabilities, particularly mental health conditions that may not be outwardly visible but deeply affect daily life. In this article, we explore what these invisible disabilities are, what it’s like to live with them, who qualifies for benefits, and the resources available for support.

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From Awareness to Acceptance: Shifting the Autism Conversation
Kyra Coates Kyra Coates

From Awareness to Acceptance: Shifting the Autism Conversation

April is Autism Awareness Month.  To bring awareness about Autism and neurodiversity, we are presenting some facts about this often misunderstood condition. We’ll explore what Autism is and is not, look at causes and conditions, and present resources where you can find out more or request services.

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Disability Doesn’t Discriminate – Why Advocacy and Accessibility Matter for Everyone
Kyra Coates Kyra Coates

Disability Doesn’t Discriminate – Why Advocacy and Accessibility Matter for Everyone

A foundational aspect of advocacy is educating people about the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Currently, approximately 1 in 4 people in the United States has a disability, totaling more than 70 million people. This means about ¾ of the population may not understand or even think about how disabilities may impact their own lived experiences.

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