The Independence Times includes stories and information focused on the unique abilities of our local disability community, so all are known, valued, and included.
To see the most current issue, please browse the articles below or click on the archive link at the bottom of this page to view past issues.
By the time you read this, I will have officially retired after 10 years as CEO of The Independence Center. Ten years! How did that happen?
Sometimes there's a spark that changes everything. For Patricia Yeager, the spark that led her to become CEO of The Independence Center was a conversation with an acquaintance.
Indy Frazee, The IC's new CEO, is looking forward to building on the foundation Patricia Yeager started and leading the organization into the future.
The IC's annual ADA celebration event commemorates the passage of the ADA, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. This year’s online event featured powerful stories from people with disabilities about what the word “independence” means to them.
For people with low vision, reading a book, a label, or a printed work document isn’t as easy as throwing on a pair of glasses. However, assistive technology like closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) can help them bring the world into focus.
In the U.S., around 61 million adults – or one in four - have a disability. That means that the odds are good that a high percentage of police interactions will involve someone with either a hidden or visible disability.
The Independence Center’s veteran-directed Veteran in Charge (VIC) program aims to ensure that disabled veterans can continue to lead the lives they want to live. Recently, we sat down with Kim Howell, veteran coach coordinator, to talk about how VIC empowers veterans with disabilities.
Almost two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, we’re continuing to adapt to a new normal. Stress, isolation, loss, and burnout have taken a toll on our mental and physical health. So how do we regain our equilibrium?
Did you know that right now, there’s more than one job opening for every American who wants to work? Despite this, people with disabilities continue to face barriers to finding a job that offers a livable wage, good benefits, and reasonable accommodations. The good news is that ...
Late last year, The Independence Center (The IC) was named one of The Gazette’s “Best Workplaces” for 2020. This award is especially meaningful to me because it comes directly from our staff. Unbeknownst to me, a number of employees nominated The IC for the award. It speaks volumes about the good will staff members have toward The IC that they would take the time and care enough to do this.
Drew Wills loves a challenge. On any given day, you can find the Colorado Springs attorney on a mountain biking trail in Stratton Open Space, attacking steep climbs and tackling technical tracks. But unlike most of the other riders on the trail, Drew pedals with his hands while flying down hills headfirst.
Local, state, and federal governments are working quickly to get the COVID-19 vaccine to as many people as possible. El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) is no exception. As of April 13, 2021, almost 200,000 residents aged 16 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard. However, for people with disabilities, this can...
Imagine going to bed one night and waking up in a world in which you can’t understand anyone. To make matters worse, you find it impossible to tell if others are trying to communicate with you in the first place. It may sound far-fetched, but this has been the reality for countless d/Deaf and hard of hearing (DHOH) individuals since mask mandates went into effect due to the pandemic.
Home. It’s a word that means different things to different people. Safety. Security. Stability. Comfort. A home is more than just four walls and a roof. It’s the place where we start and end our days. Where we prepare our meals and celebrate holidays. Where we make memories. The staff who work in The IC’s Housing Department understand the positive impact having a home can...
The disability community in this country has a long history of advocating for change. From widescale protests to the simple act of asking for accommodations, people with disabilities have learned that advocacy is the key to creating a better world for themselves and others. One of the best advocacy tools we have is...