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Ensuring full participation of all people with all types of disabilities.
CCDC is Colorado's only statewide organization run by and for people with all types of disabilities. Members consist of people with disabilities and their non-disabled allies, working together to support disability rights. Cross-disability means our members have all types of disabilities. We have the most power if all disability groups work together for our common good.
CCDC's Mission is to promote independence, self-reliance, and full participation for people with all types of disabilities. We accomplish our mission by changing systems. We use various strategies such as organizing, advocacy, education, and systemic change to advance our mission. Select this link to view our 2005 goals.
We are a volunteer organization and have few paid staff. We act on the knowledge that all people with disabilities have valuable contributions to make to their communities and that when supports are adequate and civil rights laws are followed, such contributions will occur.
People with disabilities are still the poorest group in this country. Our rights and services are being attacked daily. If you want to help change this, please join today. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Our History
CCDC was founded in 1990 by a dedicated group of disability activists. CCDC is unique and a powerful voice advocating for basic civil and human rights for people with disabilities. Our work benefits all 500,000 disabled Colorado residents. Our members choose the issues.
Founded to insure implementation of the ADA, health care issues soon became paramount. Both health care and ADA implementation initiatives have grown over the years. We began with basic education about the ADA, now house our successful and unique legal program. We began with statewide health care hearings in the early 1990’s, and are now a central voice in health care policy for our community.
We played a strong role with our Medicaid agency to insure that necessary budget cuts spared those most vulnerable. We made numerous sustainable improvements regarding access in Colorado. Examples include the State Capitol, Red Rocks Amphitheater; Landmark Theaters and the Regional Transportation District. We have improved and expanded the state Medicaid program. Examples include forcing continuation of de-institutionalization programs; consumer directed care, and continuation of a highly respected disability advisory committee within the Department.
We take pride that our initiatives have saved the taxpayers millions of dollars, while benefiting our members. Since 1990, we have been the sole organization uniting people with all types of disabilities across Colorado that is run exclusively by people with disabilities.
Some of our past accomplishments
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Sued the Colorado General Assembly to gain access into the State Capitol
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Gained representation within every state agency in Colorado that deals with disability related services
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Gained Gubernatorial appointments to the Medical Services Board, the Independent Living Council, and the Governor's Advisory Council on Disability
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Initiated numerous policy changes in state regulatory process which benefit people with disabilities
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Started an access consulting business run by people with disabilities
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Started a statewide legislative coalition
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Supported activism around the state
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Worked with state lawmakers to get legislation introduced which furthers our goals
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Organized to stop legislation which impedes the progress of the disability rights movement
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Act as a regional leader on national issues affecting persons with disabilities
Sponsor annual disability pride celebration and access improvement awards.
