On January 17, 2023, AdvocacyDenver filed a complaint against the Denver Public Schools (DPS) with the Colorado Department of Education alleging violations of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The complaint was filed on behalf of a family whose child had not received speech/language services (SLP) required by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) beginning August 2022 to the date that the complaint was filed. In addition, AdvocacyDenver provided a list of other elementary schools where children were not receiving the IEP SLP services.
[Read more…] about DPS Failed to Provide Speech Services to Over 1000 StudentsThe Special Education Evaluation Process
This presentation will provides parents and guardians with information on the special education evaluation process and what you can expect along the way.
También puedes ver esta presentación en español.
[Read more…] about The Special Education Evaluation ProcessEl Proceso de Evaluación de la Educación Especial
Esta presentación proporcionará a los padres y tutores información sobre el proceso de evaluación de educación especial y lo que puede esperar en el trayecto.
You can also view this presentation in English.
[Read more…] about El Proceso de Evaluación de la Educación EspecialSexuality Education Shorts: Gender Identity and Expression
Sexuality Education Shorts offer accessible and inclusive information for both Parents and Self-Advocates on healthy bodies and relationships in under 10 minutes.
Gender Identity and Expression helps explain what gender is and how we can express how we feel inside. We will talk about how gender is different from sex and sexuality, the different gender identities you can choose, and how pronouns help us share who we are.
También puedes ver esta presentación en español.
[Read more…] about Sexuality Education Shorts: Gender Identity and ExpressionCortos de Educación Sexual: Identidad y expresión de género
Los cortos educativos sobre sexualidad ofrecen información accesible e inclusiva para padres y autogestores sobre cuerpos y relaciones saludables en menos de 10 minutos.
Identidad y expresión de género ayuda a explicar qué es el género y cómo podemos expresar cómo nos sentimos por dentro. Hablaremos sobre cómo el género es diferente del sexo y la sexualidad, las diferentes identidades de género entre las que puede elegir y cómo los pronombres nos ayudan a compartir quiénes somos.
You can also view this presentation in English.
[Read more…] about Cortos de Educación Sexual: Identidad y expresión de géneroStudents Prevail in Systemic Complaint Against Denver Public Schools
It is important to know where you have been in order to know where you are going. The student pictured is a client. He is a Denver Public School (DPS) student, diagnosed with autism. In 2011 the student was assigned to an affective needs (AN) center program. The AN program is said to be designed for students with emotional disabilities, not students with autism, intellectual disabilities, other health impairments (e.g. ADHD) or other disabilities.
[Read more…] about Students Prevail in Systemic Complaint Against Denver Public SchoolsDisability Policy Marches On
by Kaley Day
Colorado’s 2022 legislative session came to a close on May 11th. In a year where continued COVID recovery and an upcoming midterm election loomed, legislators across the aisle came together and championed efforts to advance inclusion, options, and services for individuals with disabilities. Thanks to the exhaustive work of self-advocates, families, community advocates and policymakers alike, five key bills made their way to the governor’s desk and will be highlighted below.
[Read more…] about Disability Policy Marches OnInclusive Housing Report Highlights Need for Creative Action in Denver
By Kaley Day
Affordable housing in Denver—a seemingly contradictory statement and an issue that, at the very least, causes headaches for those trying to navigate it, and at worst leads to homelessness and displacement for our most vulnerable community members. Denver’s housing market is among the fastest growing in the country, and that growth leaves behind thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are unable to keep up with rising costs and lack of inclusivity and accessibility.
[Read more…] about Inclusive Housing Report Highlights Need for Creative Action in DenverLegislative Wins and a Brighter Future
By Kaley Day and the Arc of Colorado
The 2021 Colorado legislative session began with uncertainty. Amid COVID protocols that required distancing and virtual testimony, economic concerns, and fear that any bill with a fiscal note may not make it to the governor’s desk, advocates and community members were unsure how far their efforts to promote legislation for the disability community would go. In the end there was cause for celebration as the session closed officially on June 8th and the state saw major legislation, some years and decades in the making, passed in order to support and advance the rights of Coloradoans with disabilities.
[Read more…] about Legislative Wins and a Brighter FutureAdvocacyDenver to DPS: Current Compensatory Services Plan is Failing Students with Disabilities
To: Denver Public Schools Board of Education
The following concerns and recommendations are submitted on behalf of students with disabilities who are enrolled in the Denver Public Schools. Concerns, opinions and recommendations were provided to the Department of Special Education and Student Equity and Opportunity but the staff has been firm forwarding procedures and timelines.
[Read more…] about AdvocacyDenver to DPS: Current Compensatory Services Plan is Failing Students with Disabilities