International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3, 2025 In 1990, the federal government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which underscores the values of equal access and opportunity for people with disabilities. We acknowledge the history of discrimination against people with disabilities and esteem the decades of activism by the disability community to combat systemic injustice. Despite the passage of the ADA, there are enduring challenges for this community, which faces physical, social, and institutional barriers. People with disabilities are more likely to experience co-occurring health challenges and higher healthcare costs. As a result, many live in poverty or are underemployed or unemployed. The City of Boulder strives to exceed the requirements set forth in the ADA and create a welcoming and supportive community for all to thrive based on principles of integrity and respect for all community members. There are many examples of the City of Boulder working alongside the disabled community to create positive change: •

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The City EXPAND program’s mission, Creating a community of all abilities through recreation, is strengthened by a strong community of participants, athletes, parents, care providers, partner agencies, Boulder Parks and Recreation staff, and the Boulder community, who continue to support programs and services for people with disabilities. Realizing some disabilities are not seen, the Boulder Police Department is the first in Colorado to launch the Blue Envelope Program, a tool that individuals with disabilities may use that shares voluntary information with officers about their disability related needs during traffic stops. This is in addition to the Autism Decal Program to alert officers that someone who has one of the decals on their vehicle or home may be autistic. This helps officers better understand certain behaviors and create a safe scene for all. The City of Boulder is a leader in Digital Accessibility, hiring a manager to ensure compliance with the Colorado Accessibility Law.

We, the City Council of the City of Boulder, Colorado declare December 3, 2025, as

International Day of Persons with Disabilities And urge our city government and community members to commit to the ongoing work of advancing equal protection for people with disabilities, share and listen to their stories of joy, and lead with compassion so that we create a city for everyone to thrive.

_____________________________ Aaron Brockett, Mayor