DDRC Employment Services

06/16/2026

Your connections can change someone’s future! 💫

Our Employment Services team builds partnerships with businesses that believe in inclusive workplaces, and your insight can help us reach them. Whether it’s a company that might host a tour or an employer looking for great talent, your network can make all the difference. The contact you share doesn’t need to make hiring decisions — just one connection can set a powerful partnership in motion.

If you know of a business, employer, or community connection that may be interested in partnering with us, please take a moment to fill out the form below. Every connection helps create more opportunities for the people we support!

Any questions for us? Reach out at: [email protected]

https://forms.office.com/r/nu0MdEap01

04/20/2026

“Medicaid HCBS programs are much more than supporting an individual with the daily and essential needs that many of us take for granted, like getting dressed in the morning or traveling to a medical appointment. Indeed, for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), these services support skill development towards greater independence, community integration, and employment that enable people with I/DD to forego expensive public institutions and live full lives in their homes and communities."

The undervaluing of HCBS demeans the very real, complex, and difficult work that caregivers—whether paid or unpaid—provide.

04/15/2026

We're so excited about all things employment related in our most recent DDRC newsletter! We invite you to take a look and see what we've been up to! 😊

Email from Developmental Disabilities Resource Center ANCOR Testimony, 2026 Golf Tournament, Kudos Kari, Spring into Awareness, and more! Celebrating Excellence: Amanda McConnell Named 2026 DSP of the

03/24/2026

From The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties:

Protect Voting Rights for People with Disabilities

Voting is a basic right for U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, many voters with disabilities face barriers when trying to register and vote, such as:
• Polling places that are not fully accessible
• Lack of access to transportation
• Strict voter ID rule

People with disabilities have the right to vote and receive voter assistance.

But right now, Congress is considering several bills that would make it even harder for people to register and vote.

These decisions could affect millions of eligible voters. Congress should make sure voting laws protect access for people with disabilities, not limit them.

Act now and tell Congress to protect voting rights for people with disabilities.
https://act.thearc.org/campaign/158054/?utm_term=2026-0313&utm_campaign=advocacy&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--HQphARQKVrFCSOgYuUWhicwPeJEQ0AObFfEFv03_YCphtcOe5gs3wtvlhTAF50aueN1nSKnuHGduoaVMTTJEIaJOE6Q&_hsmi=408697101&utm_content=email-2026-0313&utm_source=hub

A vote may happen as early as next week, so every message we send today can make a big difference.

03/12/2026

We are so excited to be part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Join us for a YouTube livestream to hear about leading in 's space as neurodiverse professionals. We're happy to share our stories with you and open a space for attendee conversations and learning. See you on Monday!

https://www.youtube.com/

Vikki Ortiz of COEF and Heather Hagen (DDRC Employment Services) will be presenting during Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Join them on Monday at 3:00p for Invisible Leaders: Elevating the Employment First Movement to hear their stories about being neurodiverse leaders with invisible disabilities.

Invisible Leaders: Elevating the Employment First Movement
Monday, March 16th at 3:00p
https://www.youtube.com/

Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce

03/10/2026

For far too long, conversations about disability and autonomy have focused almost exclusively on basic survival and medical necessity. Evan Sweeney, the 2026 Carrie Buck Distinguished Fellow, challenges this narrative by centering pleasure as a fundamental human right.

Join Evan and Rebecca Cokley for a conversation on April 28, 2026, at 1 PM ET, as Evan examines the systemic barriers that desexualize disabled bodies and explores the radical act of reclaiming intimacy.

Register here:

For far too long, the conversation around disability and autonomy has focused almost exclusively on basic survival and medical necessity. In this keynote lecture, writer and disability advocate Evan Sweeney challenges this "survival-only" paradigm by centering pleasure as a fundamental human right.....

02/09/2026

NAMI Connecticut is hosting this free, live webinar TONIGHT at 5pm MST, with a 30 minute Q & A! Link to join is below!

With lead Safetypowers trainers from Kidpower International, we’ll practice ways to:

• Set clear, respectful boundaries
• Advocate for yourself and others
• Deal with negative reactions – confidently!
• Manage emotional triggers to stay effective
• Stay emotionally safe in the face of hurtful or disrespectful behavior

This program is appropriate for family members, mental health practitioners, caregivers, and adults with lived experience in dealing with mental health issues.

02/06/2026

Meet Michael!

Michael works as a dishwasher at Nicola’s Pizza, and he wanted to help spread the word about some fun upcoming deals.

February 8 – Super Bowl Deal

Valentine’s Day – Dinner for 2 special

If you’re in the Lakewood area, stop by and support a local business and an awesome employee!

7847 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood

02/05/2026

DDRC's February e-news is out! 🤓 Click the link to read about our team's Customized Employment services!

Email from Developmental Disabilities Resource Center See everything we've been up to so far in 2026! Can we ever thank you enough? To our incredible donors, volunteers, and supporters - thank you, th

01/28/2026

Join us in congratulating Sunay on his nomination at the Omni Hotel! Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are so proud to celebrate this achievement.