ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING IN BOULDER COUNTY

The Association for Community Living in Boulder County (ACL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization. We are one of 1, 200 Chapters which comprise the national Arc movement. The ACL has been serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties since 1974 as a resource for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families, friends and community. The ACL provides individual and systems-change advocacy on issues important to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. We are firmly rooted in the belief that, with the proper supports, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities can be full participants in the community. We believe that people with developmental disabilities belong in the community in natural proportions -- to live, to work, and to participate fully in all aspects of community life.

Our child advocates can help you understand and access public school services for students with disabilities, children’s Medicaid services and supports and a wide range of other community based opportunities. Our adult advocates can help you learn about and access Medicaid services & supports, employment resources, housing, health care, sports & recreation, social opportunities and much more. Self Advocates Becoming Empowered is a nationwide nonprofit organization working for the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community. SABE was founded in 1990 and is run by a board of self advocates representing 9 regions in the country. The Boulder Chapter of SABE meets at the ACL on the third Thursday of each month. Boulder SABE is very active in the community, and they are involved in everything from raising money for important causes that benefit our local community, to seeking system change for people with developmental disabilities by making their voices heard at the Capitol. The ACL is involved in advocacy at the state and federal level and we share information about current events in the legislature in our newsletter. You can be involved in public policy advocacy too and it is important that your voice is heard at all levels of Government. You can contact your legislators by letter, email, phone, or by making a personal visit to their office or attending a town hall meeting in your local area. The ACL Learning Center is a new enterprise with a large mortgage and expenses related to the facility and grounds, and plans for the expansion of comfort areas in the yard, with pathways, gardens and more shade trees. The ACL Learning Center offers a wide variety of courses including money management, reading, computer skills, advocacy, expressive arts, gardening and cooking. These courses are designed to enable people to pursue their lifelong learning goals, discover new interests and talents, build relationships, and promote independence.