April is Autism Acceptance Month and we are encouraging the community to come together to #CelebrateDifferences, and promote awareness and inclusion of individuals with autism, or any disability! 

**The Autism Society is leading the legislative effort for lawmakers to federally and globally designate April as Autism Acceptance Month, a shift from the commonly used phrase “Autism Awareness Month”.

Easterseals Colorado’s tagline is the essence of this movement – All Abilities. Limitless Possibilities. Leading the way to creating a Colorado where EVERYONE, regardless of age or ability, is 100% included and 100% empowered.

The shift in the use of terminology aims to foster ACCEPTANCE to spark change through improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care and comprehensive long-term services. Acceptance comes with understanding, and while individuals living with autism and their families live this life every day, there is a need for factual education and awareness for the general public. Knowledge promotes acceptance because it allows people to understand how to be more inclusive, as well as build more supportive experiences.

People living with autism deserve to be celebrated for their differences, welcomed by their community, included in schools and employment, and given equal opportunities and access.

What is autism?

Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood, and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. While there is currently no known single cause of autism, early diagnosis helps a person receive the support and services that they need, which can lead to a quality life filled with opportunity.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) now includes several developmental disabilities that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger syndrome. It can be difficult to diagnose ASD since there isn’t a medical test – a child’s behavior and development are looked at for doctors to make a diagnosis.

Did you know?

• Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability. [CDC]
  
• 1% of the world population has autism spectrum disorder. [CDC]
  
• 1 in 54 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. [CDC]
  *In comparison – In 2004, 1 in 125 children in the U.S. were diagnosed with autism.
  
• Autism spectrum disorder occurs among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. [CDC]
  *However, there are disparities in diagnosis due to barriers including stigma and lack of access to health care.
  
• Autism spectrum disorder is more than 4 times more common among boys than among girls. [CDC]
  *Recent research suggests girls may not show signs of autism in the same way as boys, and therefore, might go undiagnosed.
  
• Autism spectrum disorder begins before the age of 3 years and can last throughout a person’s lifetime, although symptoms may improve over time. [CDC]
  
• Some children show symptoms of autism spectrum disorder within the first 12 months of life, but others may not show symptoms until 24 months or later. [CDC]
  
• Updated criteria for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder include problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. [CDC]
  *Important note: some people without ASD might show similar characteristics, but for people with ASD, these characteristics make life very challenging.

Autism Awareness Signs:

• Repetitive behaviors, movements, or phrases
  
• Lack of response to normal stimuli [i.e. his/her name, visual cues]
  
• Atypical verbal communication or non-speaking
  
• Difficulty understanding or expressing feelings
  
• Avoiding or not keeping eye contact
  

Click here for more specific signs and symptoms of ASD from the CDC.

The CDC has a great “Learn the Signs. Act Early” campaign on their website to track your child’s development, from age 2 months to 5 years, and act early if you have a concern. This campaign helps show certain milestones your child should reach in how he or she plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. They also offer a free Milestone Tracker app!

TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)
While we have many programs for people living with disabilities, we are proud to have TACT as a part of the Easterseals Colorado Affiliate Network (ESCAN), a local nonprofit organization that encourages and empowers individuals ages 5-30 living with ASD through education and employment in the skilled trades industry. TACT was founded in 2016 by two parents seeking better options for their son, who was diagnosed with ASD in 2015. Recognizing that adults with ASD are one of the most unemployed populations in the country at 90% – and with significant access, experience, and knowledge of trades – the pair created TACT.

Learn more about TACT here or visit Easterseals Colorado’s website to view all of our program offerings for people living with disabilities in Colorado.

March is the nationally recognized Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) and the barriers they still sometimes face. This month, in partnership with Developmental Pathways, our affiliate at Access Gallery created a #DDAwareness campaign with the theme “I am …” to highlight that a person is more than their disability.

What’s a word that defines who you are? See how you can make your own poster and other ways to get involved with this campaign below.

How to make your own “I am …” poster:

Step #1: Print your poster and a photo of yourself in black and white.
Poster size – 11″ x 17″ – color
Photo of you – 5″ x 5″ – black & white

Search for a FedEx, UPS, or other print services store near you – print on cardstock.

Supplies you will need: Scissors, glue, black permanent marker

Step #2: Cut out your photo.
Cut around your face and body. You can use a photo facing the camera or a profile photo of yourself from the shoulders up. We recommend using a black & white photo for maximum contrast with the bright colors of the poster.

Step #3: Glue your photo.
Glue your photo in the upper left green square, it can stick out above the square.

Step #4: Write your word and draw an icon.
Using black permanent marker, write a word that describes you in the upper right purple square and draw an icon or illustration that represents you and your word in the yellow square.

Step #5: Take a photo and email us.
Take a photo of yourself holding your poster and email it to COEvents@dpcolo.org and info@accessgallery.org.

Step #6: Post on social media and tag us.
Post your photo on Facebook and tag @developmentalpathways and @accessgalleryco with the hashtags #DDAwareness #IAmMore.

Find a Billboard and take a picture!

There are 10 billboards across the Denver Metro area featuring an individual with a disability sharing who they are. Exact locations are listed below, or you can click here for a PDF.

1. Golden – 16050 S Golden – Facing East
2. Aurora – 94 S Havana – Facing North
3. East Colfax – 7404 E Colfax – Facing West
4. Park Hill – 5101 E 48th – Facing East
5. Englewood – 1667 W Evans – Facing West
6. Denver – 4225 E 48th – Facing West
7. Denver – 4985 N Colorado – Facing South
8. Elyria-Swansea – 5090 Race Court – Facing West
9. Denver – 450 E 51st – Facing East
10. Denver – 4700 Washington St – Facing South

Use a Zoom Background

Download a Zoom background and use it during your meetings – it’s a great conversation starter!

Share on Social Media

Facebook Sample Message:
March is the Nationally recognized month raising awareness about individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

@DevelopmentalPathways and @AccessGalleryCO created a campaign with the theme “I am…” to highlight that a person is more than their diagnosis. What’s a word that defines who you are?

#DDAwareness #COIDD #IAmMore #DPxAG

Twitter Sample Message:
March is the national month of raising awareness about individuals diagnosed with IDD. @dev_pathways & @AccessGalleryCO created the “I am…” campaign, to highlight that a person is more than their diagnosis. What word defines you?

#DDAwareness #COIDD #IAmMore #DPxAG

More information on this campaign can be found on Developmental Pathways website.

Caregivers of individuals who need support with personal care, supervision, and monitoring may find themselves in need of respite (or short breaks) from time-to-time. A program of Easterseals Colorado, the Colorado Respite Coalition (CRC), provides financial assistance for family caregivers across the state to access respite care through the Family Respite Voucher Program.

Funds are still available! Colorado family caregivers of any age and any special health care need who have limited access to respite care and/or other supports through current systems are encouraged to apply. The purpose of this program is to meet planned respite needs for unserved and underserved family caregivers. Eligibility for this program is not determined by age or income level, but is a payer of last resorts, meaning that families are eligible if they do not receive another source of respite funding (i.e. Medicaid waiver, Area Agency on Aging funds). Read more below on how the program works, frequently asked questions, and how to become an approved provider.

How the Program Works:

1. A family caregiver submits an application for the respite voucher program using the online form, ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements:
   – I provide unpaid care for a family member, friend, or neighbor; both living in Colorado
   – I provide full-time care (40 hours or more) weekly
   – The care recipient has a special health care need (please review explanation box on application)
   – Respite services will be delivered by an Approved Provider (list available online or by request)
   – I am able to utilize the respite voucher over approximately 120 days, or by the expiration date.
   – My family is not currently receiving any funding that can be used for respite care (i.e. Medicaid waiver, Area Agency on Aging voucher). This program is designed as a Payer of Last Resorts.
2. If you provide care to more than one care recipient, complete one application for each individual. One voucher may be awarded per household.
3. Per availability of funding (still available as of February 16, 2021), a family caregiver may be awarded a Voucher, typically ranging between $250 – $1,000.
4. Voucher awards are valid for four months and must be used prior to the expiration date listen on the award letter.
5. Voucher recipients then select an Approved Provider and schedule services prior to expiration date.
6. The Approved Provider will invoice the CRC directly, so there are no out of pocket fees for the family.
7. Voucher recipients must confirm receipt of services with a signature on monthly invoices and complete an exit survey at the conclusion of the voucher,
8. Voucher funds can be returned at any time.

Approved Provider List

Family Voucher Applicant Frequently Asked Questions

Spanish Versions:

– Solicitud de Cupón para Relevo Familiar
– Preguntas más frecuentes

Voucher Information for Providers

Increase your impact, serve more families, and support your current clients that may be struggling to private pay! Partner agencies must submit an application and meet all eligibility requirements to become an Approved Provider. Approved Providers provide the direct respite care to family caregivers that have been awarded a Family Respite Voucher. Agencies submit billing and reporting directly to the CRC, so there are no out of pocket fees for the family. The Family Respite Voucher Program serves people caring for loved ones of all ages and all special healthcare needs, throughout Colorado. The CRC is seeking partners in any location to meet the need of our voucher recipients. Applications from for profit, non profit and government entities or agencies and organizations are accepted at all times.

Voucher Providers Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

If you have questions on eligibility or the voucher program process, please contact Megan Bettinger at mbettinger@eastersealscolorado.org or 303.233.1666 x8. Learn more at the Colorado Respite Coalition website.

The year 2020 was an unprecedented and challenging year for all of us, including Easterseals Colorado. From virtual programming to socially distanced meetings, we managed to adapt thanks to our amazing team of staff and supporters. As we looked back on the year, we managed to find joy and hope. We are thankful to our community who helped us continue to provide programs and supports for people living with disabilities and their families across Colorado. Take a look back at our top stories of last year!

For the first time in 70 years, we were heartbroken to cancel summer camps at Rocky Mountain Village (RMV). However, we were able to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to our community – from “Family Day Camp” to “Glamping” – to experience the magic of RMV as campers have been able to for many years. In fact, we are still offering rental of our A-Frame cabin and Friendship Lodge on Airbnb in the beginning of 2021! We are hopeful to be able to offer camps in 2021 with everyone’s health and safety at the forefront of our minds.

Many other programs were forced to close their doors to in-person services in March 2020. Throughout this, we were able to successfully stay connected to many of our participants. The Neurological Rehabilitation Adult Day Program used Facebook Live videos for “Morning Mindfulness” and “Rehabilitative Strengthening” sessions to provide participants with daily physical and cognitive activities. The team at the Explorers Adult Day Program continued to provide the community exploration and learning environment that it’s known for by hosting regular Zoom calls from cooking classes to science or art projects. The Northern Colorado Adult Day Program team also hosted a variety of Zoom classes and offered clients one-on-one supports through weekly phone check-ins and customized activity folders.

Though we had to cancel the majority of our in-person fundraising events in 2020, we were able to host virtual events for the first-time ever. In May, we held the “Easterseals Colorado Live Benefit Concert: Together While Apart”, which raised funds for Rocky Mountain Village Camp. We brought our community together virtually to celebrate the work of Easterseals Colorado and the creativity of individuals with a night of music and laughter with local musicians Kind Mountain Band, Rob Drabkin, and comedian Josh Blue. In September through October, we held the “1st Annual Walk With Me … Virtually”, raising over $10,000 for Easterseals Colorado. Our community came together to walk, dance, roll, and stroll the block to raise funds and awareness for Easterseals Colorado. In November, we held the “Season of Lights 2020: Home Edition” raising over $100,000 for programs and support. Attendees bid on a number of amazing items in an online auction and heard a special message from our President & CEO, Roman Krafczyk. Stay tuned as we plan for 2021 and join us for one of our fundraising events, whether virtual or in-person.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that there is power in community. From shutdowns to reopening to virtual calls and events – we adapted together, we lifted each other up, and we are beyond grateful for each of you being a vital part of the Easterseals Colorado community. As we start the new year, we are looking to thrive, and make Colorado a place where no matter age or disability, all people are 100% included and 100% empowered.

We wish you good health and fortune in the new year!

Did You Know?

There are 600,000 people living with disabilities in Colorado and they need our help.

Easterseals Colorado serves 13,000 people living with disabilities. With your help, we could serve so many more.

We’ve always operated on a lean budget, but the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to reduce our staff by 46%. That means fewer people can access our programs when the demand for help is so severe.

Your donation will provide crucial funding to support people living with disabilities, like Jeremy.

Jeremy attended our Adult Day Program and his job that he landed through our Employment Services, which were both shut down in March. Jeremy reflects, “I was sad I couldn’t go to work anymore or see and connect with friends at the day program. This made a lot of extra work and stress for my host home provider.” During the shutdown, our day program staff would check-in with participants weekly, host Zoom calls, and offer one-on-one socially distanced meetings. 

Six months later, Jeremy was thrilled when the day program opened back up with limited capacity, and he even landed a new job after working with one of our Employment Specialists. “I’m very excited and grateful to have been hired at a new job so quickly. I don’t want coronavirus to shut everything down again, so I make sure I always wear my mask, wash my hands often and practice social distancing,” says Jeremy.

Act Now! Show your support today and help support the programs, caregivers and professionals who are essential to the people we serve.