Due to COVID-19, AdvocacyDenver office will be closed to outside visitors until further notice. Our staff will be working in the office and/or remotely and will be able to participate in meetings virtually. We recognize that there is still important work to do, and we’re striving to perform those vital services while helping stop the community spread of COVID 19.
[Read more…] about Latest COVID-19 Information by and for People with DisabilitiesWebinar: Home and Community Based Services Waivers for Children
Community Based Services Waivers are extra benefits offered by Colorado’s Medicaid Program, Health First Colorado, that your child could qualify. In this two-part webinar, Christy Blakely with Family Voices provides parents with information about finding and applying for these children’s Medicaid waivers.
[Read more…] about Webinar: Home and Community Based Services Waivers for Children2020 Colorado Voter Guide for All
How to Vote
- Election Day is November 3, 2020! All registered voters should get a ballot in the mail in October.
- You can check your registration status here: https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/
- If you are not registered to vote, you can register up until Nov. 3rd and vote in-person that same day.
- Mail-in ballots must be received by Nov. 3rd to be counted. Mail back your ballot as soon as possible before October 24th.
- You have until 7pm on Nov. 3rd to drop-off your ballot or vote in-person.
- Drop-off boxes and polling centers can be found at: www.govotecolorado.gov or on your ballot
Accessible voting machines for people with disabilities are available at every polling center! Remember you must provide ID to vote in person. For a list of acceptable identification go to: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/acceptableFormsOfID.html
[Read more…] about 2020 Colorado Voter Guide for AllSexuality Education Shorts: Consent (for Everyone!)
Sexuality Education Shorts offer accessible and inclusive information for both Parents and Self-Advocates on healthy bodies and relationships in under 10 minutes.
Consent for Everyone provides a quick and easy understanding of consent and boundaries for kids, caregivers, and self-advocates. Viewers will learn what consent is, understanding safe and unsafe touch, and ways to practice using consent every day. We will talk about how to protect our bodies and help others stay safe too.
Watch the video below.
[Read more…] about Sexuality Education Shorts: Consent (for Everyone!)Sexuality Education Shorts: Anatomy and Body Awareness
Sexuality Education Shorts offer accessible and inclusive information for both Parents and Self-Advocates on healthy bodies and relationships in under 10 minutes.
Anatomy and Body Awareness gets parents comfortable teaching and talking about accurate anatomy for youth with disabilities. In this video parents and caregivers will learn the importance of and how to talk to youth with disabilities about accurate sexual anatomy. We will talk about body parts, teaching tools, and other tips for having big conversations at home!
Watch the video below.
[Read more…] about Sexuality Education Shorts: Anatomy and Body AwarenessDenver Public School’s Education and COVID-19 FAQs for Parents and Children with Disabilities
AdvocacyDenver has received many questions from parents/guardians of children with disabilities regarding what to expect beginning in August 2020. We know that Denver Public Schools announced that remote instruction has been extended from August 24 through October 16.
AdvocacyDenver has kept a record of questions and has been working with the Special Education Director Robert Frantum-Allen to define a response to questions.
The following reflects the current thinking on the part of the District. This is a start in terms of questions and answers specific to children with disabilities.
This document will be amended and will include additional questions and answers in relation to Behavior Intervention Plans, English Language Acquisition services, facility programs, assistive technology and children eligible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have a question that is not included in this document, you are encouraged to call (303-831-7733) or email: pbisceglia@advocacydenver.org.
[Read more…] about Denver Public School’s Education and COVID-19 FAQs for Parents and Children with DisabilitiesPreguntas Frecuentes de los Padres de Niños con Discapacidades con respecto a la Educación y el COVID-19
AdvocacyDenver ha recibido muchas preguntas por parte de los padres/tutores de niños con discapacidades con respecto a qué esperar a partir de agosto de 2020. Sabemos que las Escuelas Públicas de Denver anunciaron que la educación a distancia se ha extendido del 24 de agosto al 16 de octubre.
AdvocacyDenver mantiene un registro de preguntas y ha estado trabajando con el director de educación especial, Robert Frantum-Allen, para definir las respuestas. A continuación, se refleja lo que el distrito piensa actualmente. Esto es un comienzo en términos de preguntas y respuestas específicas para los niños con discapacidades.
Este documento se modificará e incluirá preguntas y respuestas adicionales relativas a los planes de intervención del comportamiento, los servicios de adquisición del idioma inglés, los programas de los centros, las tecnologías de apoyo y los niños elegibles conforme a la sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación.
Si tiene una pregunta que no esté comprendida en este documento, lo animamos a llamar (303-831-7733) o enviar un correo electrónico: Pbisceglia@advocacydenver.org.
[Read more…] about Preguntas Frecuentes de los Padres de Niños con Discapacidades con respecto a la Educación y el COVID-19Action Alert: Extend Retainer Payments for Home and Community-Based Services
Action is needed & time is of the essence!
Please call your local Representative and Senator to ask them to sign onto a letter supporting the extension of retainer payments to Calder Lynch, Deputy Administrator and Director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by Wednesday, July 22nd.
[Read more…] about Action Alert: Extend Retainer Payments for Home and Community-Based ServicesDay Program Services Expected to Reopen July 20, 2020
In June, Health Care Policy and Financing provided Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Day Program service providers and Case Management Agencies (CMAs) of required provisions for additional reopening of Day Program services in congregate settings.
[Read more…] about Day Program Services Expected to Reopen July 20, 2020Finding That Inspire Elementary School Principal Discriminated Against a Student Based on Race
From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia
On February 6, 2020, a complaint of discrimination was filed by a member of Denver Public School (“DPS”) staff against the Principal of Inspire Elementary School. The complaint was filed in accordance with DPS Board of Education policy AC. The complainant alleged that the Principal discriminated against the student based on race (Black) and disability. AdvocacyDenver appreciates the staff that stood firm advocating for the appropriate treatment of the student and forwarded the complaint of discrimination.
[Read more…] about Finding That Inspire Elementary School Principal Discriminated Against a Student Based on RaceCommunity Endorses a Board Resolution to Remove School Resource Officers and Review of Role and Responsibility and Actions of Denver Public Schools Safety and Security
From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia
Dear Denver Public Schools Board of Education:
We are writing as advocates in the disability community to ask that you support the call of your colleagues, Tay Anderson and Jennifer Bacon, to end the human rights violations of school policing. In this historic moment spurred by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, we call on you to do what is right and just and vote to terminate the Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) contract with the Denver Police Department and remove all police from the DPS.
[Read more…] about Community Endorses a Board Resolution to Remove School Resource Officers and Review of Role and Responsibility and Actions of Denver Public Schools Safety and Security