I/DD Awareness Day 2019

March 01, 2019

Each year, on the last Wednesday of February, Alliance Colorado, The Arc of Colorado and JFK Partners collaborate to host Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Awareness Day at the Capitol in Denver.

Tributes are given in both the State House and Senate Chambers, and people with disabilities lead the pledge of allegiance for both groups. This year, each legislator received a blue flag to remind them of the thousands of people waiting for Comprehensive (DD) Services in Colorado. Three thousand of those flags were placed outside the McNichols Civic Center Building (where the day’s luncheon was held) to represent each person waiting.

Part of Awareness Day is presenting the Direct Support Professional of the Year. Each Community Centered Board and Program Approved Service Agency submits nominations on behalf of their best, most outstanding staff.

This year, Foothills Gateway honored Brad Blasi and Jesse Albertson as our DSP Nominees. You can read about them here.