Center For People With Disabilities

CPWD is a cross-disability, non-residential, nonprofit agency that provides unique services to people with disabilities to help them achieve and maintain independent living. CPWD supports and promotes self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Testimonials

From a staff member: "What I have not mentioned is how being a staff member has made a difference in my life. Through peer support, I have learned additional transportation options and of equipment and tools. I am now connected with venders and agencies. I cannot express enough how wonderful it feels when you see the light in a consumer's face when you make a
difference in their life.
There are many people who have expressed to me how their lives have changed since being a part of this program. And through this my life, too, has changed. Change can only happen if a person chooses to change and I feel here at CPWD we have all inspired change for people to make a choice to live a life of independence."

A CPWD Consumer Satisfaction Survey revealed some of the following comments:

"Your organization has helped me immensely over the years."

"The information and encouragement I get have been very helpful. It would be hard to get this help anywhere else. Thank you!"

"Having been a support group facilitator for about 12 years, I have never thought anything but the best about CPWD!"

"I had no one else who could help me. I now have someone that will help."

"I am so grateful for CPWD and their kind staff. They show they really do care."

In a people-helping-people scenario, a person with a disability contacted CPWD stating they needed a stair lift in their home, as they were no longer able to maneuver getting to their upstairs bedroom and bathroom. The following day, a Boulder County woman happened to contact CPWD with a stair lift donation. In addition, the stair lift was installed at no charge.

A participant in our Beyond Vision Program learned about video magnifiers which can magnify reading materials more than the 3.5x found in local pharmacies. Her first thought was, "How wonderful!" but excitement turns as she realizes she could never afford such a device. She has heard of funding options, but is not certain it would work for her. However, she continues to attend the groups and considers how her quality of life would improve if she could only acquire such a device. She mentions her interest and follows the process. A month after applying for funding, she learns she is approved and what once seemed out of reach is now possible. Her hope is restored and she will be able to live independently reading her mail, reading prices at the grocery store, reading phone numbers, addresses and more. Through our group meetings she saw people change from living a life of fear and vulnerability to one of confidence and independence.

And our staff have good things to say:

1. I have worked in a few different fields along my journey, and I know it is rare to find a job so rewarding that I sometimes forget to stop working at the end of the day. My particular job has many elements to it. I get to drive the gorgeous, curvy roads to Estes Park or the rolling farmlands toward Fort Collins, or cruise south and glimpse the Denver skyline, all on the way to meet with Veterans who have earned the benefits of the VIP and are looking for guidance through the process of enrollment. I get to meet some amazing families, help explain the program, assist in expediting the paperwork, and at the end of the day I know I have done my best ensure another Veteran is able to stay in their home and retain their independence rather than enter a long-term care facility.
CPWD's incredible working environment is established at the top. There is genuine attention to our community and to our collective well-being - no, not the way many agencies merely claim - not some trite bumper sticker philosophy. Instead, it is evident by the way management walks the walk. Need a mental health day? Not a problem. Want to talk to the Executive Director? Great, have tea with her and run through whatever is on your mind. Holiday commitments rushing at you too quickly? Relax. You will have some paid downtime from work to recharge.

The cherry on my sundae is that I have fantastic co-workers whom I know have my back and I theirs, and I sleep well at night, knowing I am a part of a team that is working to make positive changes in people's lives.

2. Working at CPWD has allowed me the opportunity to better understand the importance of the Independent Living Philosophy. As an individual with a disability myself, it's extremely important to me that people recognize my capacity to make my own decisions about my life. Everyone here recognizes that an individual with a disability should be provided with the opportunity to make their own choices...