The Arc of Aurora

09/03/2026

Quality Direct Support Professionals (DSP) are vital to the lives of people with disabilities. In this podcast episode, Josh Rael, Executive Director of Alliance Colorado, speaks to the reality of invisible waitlists for people with disabilities receiving services.

The Arc of the United States is asking Congress to take a big first step in solving this crisis by passing the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act.

Send a message to congress and tell them what DSPs mean to you: https://bit.ly/4hTRVM1

09/03/2026

If you missed this event, you can find the recording below!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for "Ready to Vote: A Disability Community Conversation" last week!

A big thank you to our partners at Arapahoe County and Douglas County, whose elections staff joined us to share accurate, up-to-date guidance.

Missed it or want to revisit the material? Find the recording on our YouTube page at https://youtu.be/9BFOBpZs6Vk.

A few reminders as voting season approaches:

Register or check your status at GoVoteColorado.gov

Give our county partners a follow for more election reminders and resources — Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder and Douglas County Clerk & Recorder

Voting is a right, and we're proud to help our community feel confident and informed to exercise it.

09/02/2026

📣 Your Medicaid Story Matters!

Do you use Medicaid? Does someone you love use Medicaid? Colorado leaders want to hear from you!

The Colorado Commission on Medicaid is making recommendations that could help shape the future of Medicaid in Colorado. People with disabilities and families need to be part of that conversation... join us in person or tell them who you are in the surveys below!

You don’t need to be an expert. Just share what you know from your own life. What works, what doesn’t, and what you need.

👉 Take the full survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JVQLKJH

⏱️ Want something shorter? Use the Short Medicaid Feedback Form:
https://4ogjbvcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001vTR-lvd6yryTh0VGVN6E-ZINCe9qWM3_4JrmzP6xZAKKwjcmD6xLSkff_YJgCJIRg43ah4NMbCQReEvv5DE6xD3nep07EcDEE0Tx6cMUO1QOFlWvqNIUgo7s6CPKQKDjSuPh4q_De4_X42OtBlx69-iv5S1Y66dmUJGRzboFa2jCd2pfid-P4Pd-3Og8atIoHtdsptqF6zA=&c=&ch=

Your experience matters. Your story matters. Speak up for the Medicaid services our communities need. 💚

08/31/2026

🌟 Get your burning questions answered about your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in this episode of the THINK+change podcast! Our longtime advocates, Jeff and Petri, are here to help you understand more about the IEP process and your role in it:

🔗https://buff.ly/5ye3V5t

Made possible through support from Developmental Pathways, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Arc Thrift Stores, and The Arc of Aurora!



Image description: Think Change Podcast Vodcast logo that includes a black microphone. Below, is a headshot of the guest of the podcast, Jeffrey Fernengel, individual advocate at The Arc of Aurora, a man with short brown hair and a beard, and Petri Brill, host, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, with a black microphone and three green sound lines around both headshots. Text reads Advocates Answer IEP Frequently Asked Questions. Made possible through support from Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Developmental Pathways, arc Thrift Stores, and The Arc of Aurora.

08/30/2026

The transition to adulthood can be intimidating, but supports and services can make a big difference. This documentary moves through Beck's story and the successes that come when supports and services are person-centered!

You can find the full video here: thinkchange.info/TransitionsTALKS

And stay tuned for our next podcast, out tomorrow! 🤩

Image description: Think Change Storytelling Talks logo that includes a black microphone with a cord. Below are images of a young man with short blonde hair looking over at another image of himself communicating with an older man using sign language. Behind him is an image of him as a child. Next to them are images of a woman with shoulder length brown hair, a man with short grey hair and a beard, a woman with long brown wavy hair and glasses, and a man with short black hair. Text reads Life Beyond High School: For Young Adults with IDD. Made possible through support from Developmental Pathways, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, Special Olympics Colorado, arc Thrift Stores, and The Arc of Aurora.

08/28/2026

Join our friends at Atlantis Community, Inc. and Embrace Access!

Disabled joy is worth voting for.

Our lives, our joy, our community — all of it is shaped by who shows up and who gets heard. That's why the disability vote matters, and why United Voices is about helping people bring their own communities along.

Registration is open for both cohorts. Come find your voice with us.

https://www.embraceaccess.com/unitedvoices

In partnership with Embrace Access

Image description: A young person wearing a dark cap and clear-framed glasses throws their head slightly back, mouth wide open in a big, unguarded laugh of pure delight. Beside them stands an adorable black cow wearing a colorful braided rope halter in pink, blue, and red. Both are set against a deep purple background patterned with a web of connected dots and lines, suggesting a network. White text at the top reads "United Voices is for you if... you know disabled joy is worth voting for." A blue bar along the bottom reads "United Voices Workshop: Digital Advocacy for the Disability Vote," alongside a yellow "Register Now" button and the logos for Embrace Access and Atlantis Community.

08/27/2026

Next up on the topic of supports and services we have our service animals podcast featuring Barbara Henry, Executive Director and Lead Trainer of Domino Service Dogs.

Tune into this exciting episode- https://thinkchange.info/ServiceAnimalsPODVOD!

Image description: Think Change Podcast Vodcast logo that includes a black microphone. Below, is a headshot of the guest of the podcast, Barbara Henry, Executive Director and Lead Trainer Domino Service Dogs, a woman with long blonde hair, and host, Petri Brill, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, with a black microphone and three green sound lines around both headshots. Text reads Service Animals. Made possible through support from Developmental Pathways, Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, The Limbaugh Law Firm, Aftersight, and The Arc of Aurora.

08/26/2026

The latest News You Can Use is here! Become a Supporting Member and grab your "Disability Rights Are Human Rights" t-shirt, RSVP for dinner and a movie with THINK+change, plus community resources and policy updates. Read it here --> https://conta.cc/4qqILsq

08/26/2026

Find out where candidates stand by using the toolkit! Your vote has power! 💪

08/26/2026

This week we are highlighting our supports and services products!

You won't want to miss our "Benefits and Programs Toolkit"! It can help you break down the steps, stay organized, and save time when managing assistance programs for people with disabilities.

You can find it here: https://thinkchange.info/EntitlementsTOOL

Image description: Think Change Tools logo that includes silhouettes of a pamphlet and book. Below is a notebook with a checklist titled Gather Your Documents and a pair of hands holding a packet titled My Benefits & Programs Toolkit. In the middle is a graphic of a hand holding a house, dollar sign, and health plus sign symbol Text reads My Benefits & Programs Toolkit. Made possible through support from Colorado Access, Developmental Pathways, The Limbaugh Law Firm, The Arc of Aurora, and the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council.