To help your disabled loved one thrive, invest in a supportive environment!
What a person does to occupy their time is critical to one’s identity, physical and mental health.
What a person consumes, whether through reading, watching, or listening – and where they spend their time – all impact how they feel, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Having alternate community spaces to spend time outside one’s home can help build confidence, connection and enhance one’s ability to self-determine a life of belonging, which may or may not include education, volunteering or working.
That is why I created the Disability Innovation Hub (the Hub), a nonprofit space where people with disabilities can connect with the community, experience a sense of belonging and utilize supportive resources. The Hub hosts a lot of events for members, and each week we have a free public community event. All are listed on our calendar. The Hub offers many great reasons to become an alternative to home, and is open on a drop-in basis, from 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday, with onsite community managers. Membership costs for the Disability Innovation Hub might be covered by your local case management agency under unmet needs mill levy funding. Just ask us about that!
If your disabled loved one has transitioned out of school services, usually between ages 18-21, the structure of their days is gone. Many adults in our community transition from the classroom to the couch and don’t get out much, and the need for stimulating spaces is very apparent. College or other post secondary education isn’t for everyone, although Colorado has more options than ever before. There are 8 inclusive college options in Colorado. There are also programs that focus on job skills rather than college experiences like TACT.
Employment is a way to belong and contribute in the community as well. Those on Colorado Medicaid Waivers can get prevocational and supported employment services costs covered. And there are ways to work more and still maintain one’s Medicaid and waiver benefits with the Colorado disabled buy in program.
Day programs or day habilitation are an option for those on Colorado Medicaid waivers. They get individuals out of their homes and doing activities during the daytime. There is group day habilitation and also individual supported community connector. To learn about getting on a waiver, attend our live online monthly Info Session.
Those who opt out of learning in a school setting are homeschooling in Colorado at a higher rate: Homeschool: In 2024-25 students who reported as homeschooled full-time increased by 4.7% to 9,826 students. Source: Colorado Dept of Education
The Hub is also a great space for homeschoolers and Unschoolers. When a school-age person has been pushed out of regular public schools for a variety of reasons, there is a loss of that second structured community place for them to spend part of their day. Families also have less coverage to do their work or get their needs met. Finding a place of support and belonging is important. For many, it can be a recreational activity or a one-day-a-week homeschool enrichment program. The Colorado Department of Education actually helps with the cost for these enrichment programs, so they can be funded for those who are officially registered as homeschoolers. Others create networks with other homeschoolers for shared supports and community connection.
Unschoolers opt out of the concept of structured lessons or learning. According to John Holt GWS, unschooling is about trusting children to learn what they need to know and supporting them in their learning journey, rather than imposing a curriculum on them.
The Hub also has referral information to all types of providers, some of whom use the Hub as the office location for their services and to meet with clients. If you need service providers, the Hub is a great place to meet and interact with them!
The opening of the Hub was featured in the news - read about it here!
Interested in joining the Hub? Visit the Disability Innovation Hub for details and pricing plans. Contact us at Info@DisabilityInnovationHub.org and ask about stopping by for a free drop-in visit to check out our welcoming and inclusive space! It may be just the perfect second home your disabled loved one needs to thrive. Funding for membership may be available for those who qualify at their local Case Management Agency.