For nearly five decades, the Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD) has been helping individuals with disabilities live independently, advocate for themselves, and fully participate in community life. Founded in 1977 by Judy Dixon and former Boulder County Commissioner Homer Page, the organization has remained true to its roots as a peer-led organization built on the philosophy that people with disabilities should lead their own lives and make their own decisions.
Today, CPWD serves thousands of individuals across Boulder and surrounding counties through advocacy, education, employment services, benefits counseling, independent living support, and much more.
“Our mission is to provide resources, information, and advocacy that help people with disabilities overcome barriers to independent living,” said Maria Stepanyan, Executive Director. “Everything we do is focused on helping people gain independence and live the lives they choose in the community.”
While employment services were CPWD’s original focus, the organization has expanded significantly over the years to meet the evolving needs of people with disabilities.
One growing area is its SSI and SSDI Benefits Assistance Program. CPWD employs bilingual experts, including a certified non-attorney representative and an attorney to guide individuals through every step of the often-complex Social Security disability benefits process.
“We’re proud of this program because applying for SSI/SSDI can be overwhelming, and many people are denied without the right support,” Stepanyan explained. “Having an expert who understands the process can make a real difference.”
The organization has also expanded its employment services through career coaching, benefits counseling, and the federal Ticket to Work program, helping individuals safely transition into the workforce while protecting critical disability benefits.
“We want people to enter or return to the workforce gradually and securely without fear of losing the benefits they depend on,” shared Stepanyan.
Among CPWD’s proudest accomplishments is its Veterans Independence Program, which helps veterans with disabilities remain safely in their homes while directing their own care.
Rather than relying on traditional home health agencies, veterans can hire caregivers they know and trust including spouses, adult children, family members, friends, or neighbors. “The veteran is in charge,” Stepanyan said. “They choose who they hire and how they want their care provided.”
The program not only empowers veterans but also strengthens families.
“Veterans often tell us that this program gives them peace of mind because they’re able to pay family members who care for them,” she said. “It keeps families together and allows veterans to remain in their own homes and communities.”
CPWD’s leadership in this area has earned national recognition. The organization is one of only four organizations nationwide selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to serve as a “Super Hub,” helping expand the Veteran Directed Care model into additional states.
“We’re the only Center for Independent Living in the country selected as a Super Hub,” Stepanyan said. “Not only have we expanded services for veterans across multiple states, but we have also strengthened CPWD’s financial stability and have been able to hire more bilingual staff and expand our advocacy work.”
Beyond direct services, CPWD has significantly expanded its advocacy efforts in recent years by creating a dedicated Public Policy & Advocacy Department focused on legislation and public policy affecting people with disabilities.
“It’s very important for us to stay actively involved in advocacy,” Stepanyan said. “Our freedom depends on having a voice in the decisions that affect our lives. Nothing About Us Without Us.”
One story from this year’s Longmont Pride Festival perfectly illustrates CPWD’s philosophy of community supporting community.
A visitor stopped by CPWD’s booth looking for help finding a wheelchair. One of CPWD’s staff members, who uses a wheelchair themselves, had recently upgraded to a new chair and offered their previous one to the individual. By the following day, they had a wheelchair.
“It was such a big deal for this person,” Stepanyan recalled. “They later came to find our booth at Boulder Pride just to tell us what a difference it has made in their life.”
For Stepanyan, this moment captured the heart of CPWD’s work.
“We were created by people with disabilities for people with disabilities,” she said. “Peer support has always been at the core of who we are.”
As CPWD continues to grow, Stepanyan hopes to reach even more people while inspiring the next generation of disability advocates. She explained, “We want to help more people become independent and live a life they choose, help more people become leaders, and help young adults learn about the disability rights movement and independent living philosophy early in life.”
Community members can support CPWD by sharing its services with those who may benefit, participating in advocacy listening sessions, attending disability etiquette trainings, or making a financial contribution.
“Every person can play a role,” Stepanyan said. “Whether it’s learning more about disability inclusion, participating in advocacy, or helping spread the word about our services, it all helps build a more inclusive community.”
As July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), CPWD’s work serves as a reminder that accessibility, inclusion, and independence are not simply ideals, they are essential building blocks of a thriving community.
To learn more or get involved visit: https://www.cpwd.org/
