(Image: In September 2024, CPWD welcomed City of Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, the Boulder City Council, and several other city representatives to officially proclaim Disability Voting Rights Week and announce the early voting event at CPWD on October 23)

 

Advocacy is a cornerstone of CPWD’s mission and service, representing our unwavering commitment to ensuring people with disabilities have a voice in the broader community.Through advocacy, we work to ensure the needs, rights, and inclusion of individuals with disabilities are included in community growth and development at the local, state, and federal levels. Advocacy is not just about representation—it’s about fostering a society rooted in equality, where every individual’s contributions and needs are valued. When the voices of all people are heard and considered, we take meaningful steps toward building communities that are inclusive, equitable, and truly representative of everyone.

The year 2024 was one of growth, collaboration, and impact for CPWD. Through bold advocacy, legislative triumphs, and meaningful community engagement, we have continuously worked to remove barriers to independent living and foster inclusivity for people with disabilities. As we reflect on the past year, we want to celebrate with you the key achievements that highlight our commitment to this mission.

 

Empowering Accessible Elections: Election Judge Training and Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW)

 

In partnership with Boulder and Broomfield Counties, CPWD led comprehensive election judge training sessions to equip officials with the knowledge and tools to support voters with disabilities effectively. These trainings emphasized accessibility and disability etiquette, making sure that the democratic process is truly inclusive.

Our efforts culminated in a series of impactful events during Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW), recognized through proclamations at local, citywide, and statewide levels. These initiatives highlighted the importance of accessible voting and empowered individuals with disabilities to engage fully in the democratic process. Learn more about accessible voting in Colorado here. 

 

Transforming Policy Through Legislative Advocacy

 

2024 was a pinnacle year for CPWD’s legislative advocacy. Through collaboration with policymakers and the disability community, we achieved significant policy wins, including:

 

• The signing of HB24-1360, establishing the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office—a vital resource for expanding opportunities and dismantling barriers for individuals with disabilities.
• Advancements in accessibility, including motor vehicle access, long-term care presumptive eligibility, and prescription drug label accessibility.
• Passage of SB24-065, addressing the safe use of mobile electronic devices to protect vulnerable road users, including individuals with disabilities.

 

On the federal level, CPWD played a key role in the introduction of two transformative bills:

 

• The Universal Design Tax Incentive Act, encouraging businesses and developers to integrate inclusive design principles, fostering accessibility and inclusivity from the ground up. Read more about Universal Design here. 
• The Social Security Claims Processing Improvement Act, proposing solutions to streamline claims handling and ensure timely access to benefits for individuals with disabilities.

 

These legislative accomplishments demonstrate CPWD’s commitment to systemic change that dismantles barriers and creates lasting impact.

 

Fostering Dialogue Through Community Engagement

 

CPWD hosted and participated in numerous listening sessions and public safety dialogues, providing platforms for individuals with disabilities to share their experiences. Highlights included:

 

• The Boulder Public Safety Listening Session in May 2024, where community members shared feedback with first responders.
• The CCDC Boulder Listening Session in July 2024, fostering dialogue between the disability community and public safety officials.

 

These events resulted in actionable insights, driving improvements in how public services engage with and support individuals with disabilities.

 

Strengthening Civic Participation and Partnerships

 

CPWD continued to bridge the gap between the disability community and civic processes. Several events included:

 

• 

  Image: Craig Towler interviews Nicole Speer, Boulder Mayoral Candidate in October 2023

  Candidate interviews, such as the Boulder Mayoral Candidate sessions in October 2023 and the August 2024 Candidate-Client Interview Sessions, ensuring that disability perspectives informed electoral dialogues.

• Voting initiatives, including our Early Voting Event during the June primaries and the November 2024 General Election, which addressed accessibility barriers and encouraged civic engagement.
• CPWD launched the Immigration Advocacy Coalition, a groundbreaking initiative addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrants with disabilities. This coalition advocates for equitable access to resources, accessible immigration processes, and policies that recognize the intersectionality of disability and immigration. By providing tailored support and elevating immigrant voices in disability advocacy, the coalition works to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to thrive.

 

Looking Ahead: Advocacy in 2025

 

Building on our achievements in 2024, CPWD is setting ambitious goals for 2025 to continue advancing disability rights:

 

• Reintroduction of Key Legislation: The Universal Design Tax Incentive Act and the Social Security Claims Processing Improvement Act will be reintroduced in the new Congress. Our advocacy efforts will focus on securing bipartisan co-sponsors to ensure these transformative bills gain the support needed for passage.

 

• Expanded Disability Etiquette Training: CPWD is broadening its Disability Etiquette Training programs to provide additional sessions for the City of Boulder, Broomfield, and other community partners. These sessions will further educate public servants and organizations on best practices for interacting with individuals with disabilities.

 

• Accessible Voter Focus Group: In March 2025, we will host a focus group at our CPWD Boulder office to gather feedback on the electronic ballot marking system. This initiative aims to improve accessible voter workflows and enhance educational resources for voters with disabilities.  If you would like to participate in this session, please sign up using this link.

 

These forward-looking initiatives reflect CPWD’s unwavering dedication to removing barriers, empowering individuals, and fostering inclusivity across all facets of society.

As we celebrate the successes of 2024 and embark on the challenges and opportunities of 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing disability rights through bold, mission-driven advocacy. Together, we can create a world where independence and inclusion are not just ideals but realities for all.

To find out more about CPWD and our work, please visit www.cpwd.org. If you are interested in getting involved in systems advocacy efforts or supporting in any other way, please email us at [email protected].

 

Happy New Year! Wishing you all a good year in 2025!