Commission for People with Disabilities
The mission of the Denver Commission for People with Disabilities (DCPD) is to promote and enhance equality for people with disabilities through empowerment, advocacy, and education by working with community members, as well as City and County of Denver officials and employees who have the ability to effect change.
Denver Disability Data Hub
Welcome to the Denver Disability Data Hub, your centralized gateway to crucial data and insights on disability within Denver and the broader Colorado area. Recognizing the importance of informed decisions, advocacy, and community awareness, we aim to collate and present pertinent data sets that shed light on the experiences, challenges, and demographics of our disability community.
Here, you will find a comprehensive collection of resources, each meticulously tagged and described to facilitate your exploration. The table below provides a snapshot of available data sets, outlining the contents, source, and relevant period for each entry. Whether you are a policy maker, a researcher, an advocate, or simply a concerned citizen, we hope this repository empowers you with the knowledge to drive positive change in our community.
Browse, discover, and let the data inform and inspire. Together, we can work towards a more inclusive Denver!
UC Denver Disability Statistics
The Denver Commission for People with Disabilities is committed to ensuring that our Denver Disability Data Hub remains a timely and relevant resource for all. To this end, we will periodically review and refresh the data presented here.
Your voice matters. If you have new data, insights, or feedback to share, or if you're aware of sources we might have overlooked, please reach out to us. Community collaboration is pivotal in ensuring this platform remains comprehensive and beneficial for everyone.
Email us at: DisabilityAccess@denvergov.org
Commission Meetings
Join in on our next Denver Commission for People with Disabilities meeting to learn more about the Commission's work and impact in the City of Denver, hear what our goals and plans are for 2023, and meet other leaders in the community. If you're interested in becoming a commission member, we can assist you with the application process and requirements.
WHEN: Occurs the first Tuesday of every 1 month(s) effective 4/4/2023 until 12/31/2023 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (UTC-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada).
WHERE: All DCPD meetings are held on Zoom. For current Zoom meeting information, and to RSVP for a meeting, please contact Staff Liaison Leah E. Huffer via email at leah.huffer@denvergov.org.
It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact leah.huffer@denvergov.org with three business days' notice.
- Monthly Meeting Information:
The Denver Commission for People with Disabilities has three sub-committees which discuss specific disability and accessibility related topics. ** Our 2024 sub-committees are: Communications and Recruitment, Increasing Accessibility in Denver Metro, and Sidewalk Accessibility. If you would like to learn more, and/or attend a sub-committee meeting, please email Staff Liaison Leah E. Huffer at leah.huffer@denvergov.org.
Commission Members
Alicia Cooper *Chair
Alicia Cooper is a disabled Army Veteran originally from North Carolina. She is most passionate about solving the Homeless Veteran crisis and assisting at risk youths. Her time in service and twenty years of professional healthcare career have paved the way to become a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA+ and Disabled communities. She strives to be the example of what she’d want her 4-year-old daughter to immolate i.e. strength, compassion, empathy, determination, and integrity. In her spare time, she loves to prepare gourmet meals, travel, participate in creative art events and most importantly, create space for her daughter to flourish.
Elena Mendoza *Vice-Chair
Tim Dodd *Secretary
Tim began service on the Commission in the spring of 2022. Originally from suburban Boston, Massachusetts, Tim also lived in Baltimore, Maryland and El Segundo, California before relocating to Denver in the summer of 2020 for work. He has worked in state and local government for over fifteen years where his work primarily focused on strategic planning, performance management, and data analytics. Currently, he serves as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Englewood, and also teaches classes on government performance and data analytics at The Johns Hopkins University. Tim is passionate about public service, and served as an elected member of the Select Board in his hometown of Westborough, Massachusetts; the Baltimore Regional Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; and the El Segundo Technology Committee. Additionally, he has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. He holds a BA in Political Science and History from American University; an MA in History from Providence College; and a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University.
Karen Roberts
Karen was appointed to the commission in January of 2023 and has master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Denver and in Public Affairs from the University of Colorado, as well as professional experience in family support and hospice care. A long time Denver resident, Karen was immersed in the world of disability with the birth of her third child, Benjamin, in 1997. By advocating for Benjamin through the healthcare, education, and social service systems, Karen has experienced the many challenges our society still poses for disabled people. Karen is a big believer in “the curb cut effect,” both literally, as when the City installed curb cuts allowing Benjamin to wheel to school unobstructed, and figuratively, as it is also used to describe the positive ripple effects that one change can have on society as a whole.
Commission Bylaws
Denver Commission for People with Disabilities Bylaws(PDF, 251KB)
ARTICLE VII. BYLAWS 1.Each Commission will develop and adopt bylaws concerning internal affairs, including, without limitation, membership qualifications, governance, and operation of the commission. 2.The Bylaws shall be amended as necessary to conform to the Charter and Code, Executive orders, fiscal rules, and official policies of the City and County of Denver and the Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships. 3.The bylaws of the Commission shall be subject to alteration, amendment or repeal, and new bylaws may be adopted, by the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the members of the Commission at any regular or special meeting. Notice of proposed changes, edits, or updates will be provided to Commissioners in advance with the meeting notice. 4.Any amendments or repeals of these bylaws or adoptions of new bylaws shall be submitted to the Executive Director of HRCP for approval.
Attest: Ms. Pamela Bisceglia Dr. Aisha Rousseau Current Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson Current Staff Liaison
Date of modification: 09/06/2017
Date of adoption: 10/3/2017
Quorum number: 10/10