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.

Contact Us

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.

Advocacy

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

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Systems Advocacy

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

Learn More

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

Taking Steps Forward: An Interview with Maria Stepanyan

Apr 21, 2023

We sat down and interviewed Maria Stepanyan, the Executive Director of the Center for People with Disabilities. In this insightful and touching interview, she shares her personal story of working with and living with a disability and the steps forward for disability...

Autism: Supporting People To Go From Limited To Limitless

Apr 17, 2023

April is World Autism Awareness Month. Early this year, the CDC announced that one in 36 children is diagnosed with Autism. This is up from 1 in 44 children diagnosed in 2017. As the population of people with Autism is growing, it's important we...

Advocating for Limb Loss Awareness and New Legislation to Ensure Effective Support for Those with Limb Loss or Limb Difference

Apr 6, 2023

Limb Loss Awareness Month More than 2.7 million Americans live with limb loss. This number is expected to double by 2050. Approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year. April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. Building...