Colorado Celebrates Disability Pride Month and the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

DENVER ~ Denver, CO - As July comes to a close, Colorado is reflecting on the progress made for individuals with disabilities during the Polis-Primavera Administration. This month marks Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the ongoing advancements towards equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. It also commemorates the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26th.

Last weekend, in honor of this important anniversary, the disability pride flag was flown at the Capitol. This symbolic gesture serves as a reminder of Colorado's leadership in disability rights and its deep roots in advocating for equal opportunities for all individuals.

The national movement that led to the passage of the ADA began in Denver in July 1978 at the intersection of Broadway and Colfax. A group of young activists with disabilities, known as the Gang of 19, protested against RTD's decision to order 300 inaccessible buses. They chained themselves to buses and laid on the ground at the busy intersection, bringing traffic to a halt for two days.

This powerful protest and subsequent legal action resulted in RTD reversing its decision and Denver becoming the first city with a fully accessible public transportation system. This momentous achievement stood as a testament to what can be accomplished when people with disabilities demand to be heard and fight for change.

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Lieutenant Governor Primavera stated, "Disability Pride Month is a chance to celebrate how far we've come and recommit to the work still ahead. Every Coloradan deserves to live, work, and belong in their chosen community - that's been at the heart of everything we've done." She continued, "I am proud of the bold progress we have made, and we're committed to continuing this critical work towards building a Colorado and United States where every person has an opportunity to thrive."

Under the Polis-Primavera Administration's leadership and in partnership with disability advocates and General Assembly, Colorado has made significant strides in expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive. From education to employment, housing to Medicaid services, transportation to civil rights, Coloradans with disabilities are better off today than they were eight years ago.

Some of the major areas of progress include turning around the Colorado Disability Funding Committee and introducing the historic black, red, blue, and green mountain license plate backgrounds that fund it. This committee has now been changed to the Colorado Disability Funding Authority and will provide over $15 million in grants annually to support disability programs.

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Additionally, the creation of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office has allowed for cross-agency and cross-disability policy work. The state has also provided full funding for special education and increased access to home and community-based services through Medicaid.

The Polis-Primavera Administration has also worked towards creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to work at meaningful wages without fear of losing critical healthcare benefits provided through Medicaid. Furthermore, Lieutenant Governor Primavera chaired the Task Force on the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities which made recommendations that have since been addressed. These include improvements in accessibility and attainability of housing, outdoor recreation access, accessibility of state and local government, and amendments to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.

A comprehensive list of accomplishments from the last eight years can be found here.

As Disability Pride Month comes to an end, Colorado celebrates its progress towards equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. The Polis-Primavera Administration's commitment to this cause serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done but also hope for a future where every person has an opportunity to thrive regardless of their abilities.

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