The Independence Center Blog
Overcoming Challenges with Assistive Technology - The following is the text from an impassioned speech that The IC’s Tim Ashley gave last year at The Independence Center’s Annual ADA Celebration Luncheon about one of the consumers he works with. “My name is Tim Ashley, and I‘m an Independent Living Coordinator with Peer Support Emphasis here at The Independence Center. There are […]
Who is on your Health Care Team? - Contributing writer: Pam Burgoa, Individual Advocacy Specialist at The Independence Center Navigating the medical world can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t familiar with the roles of everyone on your healthcare team. We’ve created a cheat sheet to help you keep everyone’s titles and roles straight, from your MD or NP to your RN, […]
How Trauma Changes the Brain - by Carrie Baatz Many of us experience trauma at some point in our lives. Traumas are deeply distressing events that threaten our life, safety and well-being. They can be […]
Call to Action: Education and Reform Act of 2017 - This Thursday, 2/15, the House of Representatives will vote on The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (HR 620). HR 620 would change how architectural barriers are removed, making It harder to hold the building community and design community accountable to federal law. Experience has shown us in the disability community that it often […]
Make Real Connections: Transforming Each Other in Community - by Carrie Baatz If you asked Americans to tell you what their greatest health concern is, a growing number of people would say, “loneliness.” Human connection is so important to our well-being that when we go for a long time without it, our brains shift into self-preservation mode, we have a higher risk for […]
Art of Accessibility - Don’t miss out on Art of Accessibility this upcoming Friday, February 2, 2018. Folks from within the people with disabilities community from the local Colorado Springs area will have a night to show off their art work. Below are profiles for the artists who will be featured. If your interested, the gallery will be open […]
Supporting Independence for Veterans - by Marsha Unruh Proudly serving her country in the Army for 12 years, Marilyn has spent an entire lifetime taking care of others and living life on her terms. As the years passed, her health began to decline. Soon she found herself struggling with the most basic tasks like bathing, dressing, and navigating stairs. Marilyn […]
This Holiday, Give Yourself a Gift - by Carrie Baatz The holidays are wonderful, and they can be hard. If you’re someone like me who deals with a mental health challenges, the holidays can bring up a mixed bag of emotions. Maybe your family isn’t happy and together, and the holidays are a painful reminder. Between the busyness of all the […]
Independence Through Assistive Technology – Daniel’s Electronic Glasses - Here at The IC, we have a great group of people, and one of those great people is Daniel Ratcliff. Daniel is our Benefits Specialist, and he does a great job of connecting people with disabilities with the benefits they need to live independently in their community here in Colorado Springs. At a young age, […]
How to Offer Hope to Someone who is Suicidal - by Carrie Baatz If someone in your life is suicidal or showing signs that they might be suicidal, you can help them stay safe. By being there for them, having some supportive tools and knowing the right resources, you can offer the hope that they need to recover.1 If my loved one is […] Is My Loved One Suicidal? - by Carrie Baatz Signs to Look For More often than not, people will show one or more warning signs if they are suicidal. Paying attention and noticing warning signs is the first step to helping.1 These are common warning signs: (You may notice others that are not on this list). Threatening to […] Suicide in Our Culture - by Carrie Baatz You are not alone When I was a kid, my family took yearly road trips to New Mexico. My grandparents owned a few acres of land in a small, rural town. I remember riding with my Papa in his tractor, smiling my biggest smile because I felt free, and I […] 
Veteran Gains Independence Through IC Programs - Fran Dorrance, Independent Living Outreach Coordinator at The Independence Center, talks about her work with Ross Huddleson Ross Huddleson is a posterchild of success at The Independence Center. From his introduction to The IC’s Independent Living services, to the Veteran in Charge Program, and now as a peer support mentor, Ross has increased his independence […]
Home Health – A Path to a More Independent Life - Home health care is a service for people requiring continuing medical care, which allows them to remain in their home, rather than in a hospital, nursing home, or other medical facility. For people requiring this level of care, the ability to stay in their own home can greatly improve their quality of life and reduce […]
Know Your Rights With Your Service Animals - by Nikki Stewart Air Carrier Access Act – Part 4 To round out the four part series on service animal laws we are concluding our “Know Your Rights With Your Service Animal” series by taking a look at what your rights are upon airplanes with the Air Carrier Access Act. Where does the […]
Icons of the Disability Rights Movement – Part 2 - In the second part of this two part series on icons in the disability rights movement, we will discuss the contributions Edward Roberts, Laura Hershey, and Justin Dart on the disability rights movement. To read the first part of this two part series, click here. Edward Roberts The Father of […]
Make Real Connections: Leading with Her Internal Compass - by Carrie Baatz “Everyone has an internal guide. If they follow it, it works.” Dr. Patricia Yeager likes to say that we choose our lives; we have a choice about how we will respond to all the people, events, opportunities and barriers that life presents us with. As Chief Executive Officer at The Independence […]
Make Real Connections: Teaching Home Health Caregivers - by Carrie Baatz Make Real Connections: Teaching Home Health Caregivers “If someone hurts themselves, I’ll offer to carry them on my back. I’ve always been that friend,” says Kathy McDevitt, the Home Health Orientation and Training Specialist at The Independence Center. Her desire to work in the Home Health field stems from her passion […] Know Your Rights With Your Service Animals - by Nikki Stewart Fair Housing Act- Part 3 In the third part of our “Know Your Rights With Your Service Animal” series we take a look at the Fair Housing Act. Where does the ADA allow my animal access? Access for service animals and emotional support/assistance animals permitted: Housing receiving federal financial assistance State […] Icons of the Disability Rights Movement – Part 1 - As an organization that has grown-up throughout the disability rights movement, The Independence Center owes much of our history and success to the foundational work laid by the individuals who fought for the rights of the people with disabilities community. For far too long, people with disabilities were treated as less than human. The disability […] 
Make Real Connections: Living Authentically with Mental Health Conditions - by Carrie Baatz At The Independence Center, our passion is empowering people with disabilities and their loved ones. We want to help people thrive, each in their own unique way, and we put them in the driver’s seat. The Path to Independent Living Every person defines what it means for them to thrive, right […]
What is Home Health Care? - Our team of health care professionals work with clients of all ages and their families to develop a traditional physician-directed (skilled) or client-directed (unskilled) care plan, or a mix of both if you qualify. We offer our clients control over how and when they receive these services. Our Caregivers The IC also offers an excellent […] Know Your Rights With Your Service Animals - by Nikki Stewart Colorado Assistance Animal Law- Part 2 In the second part of our “Know Your Rights With Your Service Animal” series we take a look at the Colorado Assistance Animal Law. Where does the ADA allow my animal access? Access for service animals and emotional support/assistance animals permitted with penalties […] 
Community Organizing – Making a Difference - Have you ever wondered how a community bands together to address an issue affecting the people living there, and change the things that aren’t working for them? In most cases, change comes from understanding the issues and dynamics of power within a community, and assertively advocating for the necessary changes. This process is usually advanced […]
Recovering from a Spinal Cord Injury - by Carrie Baatz Most of us only get so far in life before we encounter events that challenge us – or even break us. When these events happen, they have a way of changing what we thought we knew. Oftentimes, those of us in the disability community have unique perspectives because we have faced […]
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