A woman sits with another woman with IDD

(Image: Two woman sit at a desk going over forms. The woman on the right has IDD)

 

CPWD’s mission is rooted in the Independent Living Philosophy—a belief that individuals with disabilities are the best experts on their own lives. As a Center for Independent Living (CIL), we are driven by the principle of empowering people with disabilities to make their own choices, advocate for themselves, and live with dignity and independence in the community.

 

What It Means to Be a Center for Independent Living

 

Being a CIL means that we focus on providing resources and support that enable individuals to lead self-directed lives. Our services are not about doing for people but equipping them with the tools, skills, and confidence to do for themselves. This philosophy fosters independence, builds community connections, and advocates for systemic change to create a more inclusive society. (Check out this video to learn more).

Core to our mission are five essential services that we provide to our consumers:

 

 

People gathered around a table together during a peer group activity

People gathered around a table together during a peer group activity

Information & Referral: Connecting individuals to vital resources in the community, ensuring they have access to the tools they need to succeed.

 

Independent Living Skills Training: Teaching practical skills like budgeting, cooking, and using public transportation to empower consumers to manage their lives with greater autonomy.

 

Peer Counseling: Offering guidance and support from individuals who have faced similar challenges, creating a shared understanding and fostering resilience.

 

Advocacy: Supporting individuals in advocating for themselves while also working toward systemic changes that improve accessibility and equity for all.

 

Nursing Home and Youth Transition Services: Assisting people in moving out of nursing homes and back into the community and supporting youth as they transition into adulthood.

 

Highlighting 2024 Achievements

 

In 2024, CPWD served an impressive 2,476 individuals across multiple counties, providing critical support and resources to help them live independently. Among these individuals, we worked with a wide range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, sensory disabilities such as vision and hearing loss, cognitive challenges, and mental health conditions. Ages ranged from childhood through senior years, with approximately 20.8% of the consumers served being senior citizens. Our services reflect the diversity and resilience of our consumers.

Among those we served:

  • 57% were female
  • 40% were male
  • 1% were non-binary
  • 1% were trans
  • 1 % were American Indian/Alaska native
  • 1% were Asian
  • 4% were Black or African American
  • 21% were Hispanic or Latino
  • 1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
  • 72% were Caucasian 
  • 24 individuals were unhoused
  • 475 were Veterans with disabilities
  • 82% earned less than $30,000/yr
  • 54% earned less than $10,000/yr

 

Considering intersectionality, many of the consumers with disabilities we serve also face challenges or discrimination racially, economically, and with housing, as well as barriers to services and access to physical locations, employment, safety and other resources. 

The work we do not only provides the skills training, resources, access to services and opportunities to overcome these barriers, it also focuses on self-advocacy, empowerment, confidence, and other traits and skills that increase the likelihood of successful independent living. 

Key Services Provided:

 

Image: A staff member sits in the Assistive Technology Library, where people can come try out and be trained to use different accessible technology before they buy for themselves.

Image: A staff member sits in the Assistive Technology Library, where people can come try out and be trained to use different accessible technology before they buy for themselves.

Information & Referral: We connected individuals to community resources 4,683 times, ensuring they had access to the tools they needed to thrive.

Independent Living Skills Training: Through 2,735 training sessions, we helped individuals to build essential life skills.

Peer Counseling: Our team provided 2,425 sessions of peer counseling, encouraging shared understanding and mutual support.

Nursing Home Transition Services: We assisted 1,588 individuals in reclaiming their independence by transitioning from institutional settings back to their communities.

Vocational Services: With 2,087 services delivered, we helped consumers pursue meaningful employment and financial independence.

Assistive Technology Training: We provided 352 assistive technology training sessions, helping individuals access tools and devices that enhance their independence and daily functioning.

 

Regional Impact:

Our services spanned multiple counties, with the largest number of consumers served in Boulder County (47% of our total). We also made significant impacts in Adams, Denver, Weld, and Jefferson counties, reaching a total of 22 counties overall. Each region’s unique needs were met through tailored programs and localized support.

 

Why These Services Matter

 

Every number tells a story of independence regained, barriers overcome, and lives transformed. Whether it’s teaching someone to use assistive technology, connecting them to a job, or helping them transition out of a nursing home, CPWD’s work empowers individuals with disabilities by providing support and the tools needed to thrive. Our consumers are not passive recipients of services; they are active participants in shaping their own futures.

As we reflect on 2024, we are inspired by the resilience, courage, and determination of the individuals we serve. These achievements motivate us to continue expanding our reach, strengthening our programs, and advocating for systemic changes that create a more inclusive world. We remain committed to empowering individuals with disabilities to thrive and live independently.

Together, we’re not just providing services—we’re building a future that values inclusion, equity, and independence for all.

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