Center for People With Disabilities

What Center for People With Disabilities does

The Center for People With Disabilities (CPWD) is a Boulder, Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating as a federally recognized Center for Independent Living (CIL). Founded in 1977 by Judy Dixon and former Boulder County Commissioner Homer Page, CPWD provides resources, information, and advocacy to help people with disabilities in Colorado's Front Range overcome barriers to independent living. The organization is peer-led, with nearly 75% of its staff and Board of Directors being individuals with disabilities, and serves 10 counties (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Weld) through four physical offices in Boulder (headquarters), Longmont, Thornton (North Metro), and Broomfield, supplemented by virtual programming via Google Meets.

CPWD's service portfolio is anchored on five core CIL service areas — Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Advocacy, and Transitions to Community Living — and extends into specialized programs including Beyond Vision (adaptive skills and assistive technology for blind and visually impaired consumers, including smart glasses training), the Veterans Independence Program, Youth Transitions, the Disability Benefits & Employment Program (including SSI/SSDI assistance), and the STEP Program. Revenue is generated through a mix of federal and state government grants and contracts (notably Benefits Counseling services under contract with the Colorado Department of Vocational Rehabilitation), individual donations including Colorado Gives Day contributions, and fee-for-service Disability Etiquette Training for organizations. Services are provided at no cost to consumers. Strategic partnerships with Boulder Community Health, the Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation extend CPWD's reach beyond direct service delivery into healthcare, built-environment policy, and accessible recreation.

Under Executive Director Maria Stepanyan, CPWD continues to expand its programmatic surface area (e.g., the 2024 launch of the People with Disabilities for Immigration Advocacy Coalition), deepen systems advocacy at the Colorado Capitol (Disability Rights Advocacy Day), and broaden ecosystem partnerships. The technology stack is intentionally light: CPWD is a human-services organization rather than a technology platform, relying on standard consumer assistive devices (Meta, Echo Vision, Envision Solos smart glasses; screen readers; tactile devices) and commodity virtual meeting tools rather than proprietary systems.

Name

Center for People With Disabilities

Legal name

Center for People With Disabilities

Website

https://cpwd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CPWD is a peer-led nonprofit Center for Independent Living, founded in 1977, serving people with disabilities across 10 Colorado Front Range counties through advocacy, skills training, peer support, and specialized programs like Beyond Vision and Veterans Independence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability advocacy
• Peer support programs
• Benefits counseling
• Disability support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: CPWD operates as a Center for Independent Living (CIL) funded primarily through federal and state government programs. The organization is a service provider for the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) providing Benefits Counseling services.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations and Colorado Gives Day contributions support the organization's operations and programs.
3. Disability Etiquette Training: Fee-for-service training programs offered to organizations seeking to improve disability inclusion and accessibility awareness.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CPWD delivers independent living services to people with disabilities across Colorado's Front Range, organized around five core service areas: Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Advocacy, and Transitions. Specialized programs include Beyond Vision (blind/low vision), Veterans Independence Program, Youth Transitions, Disability Benefits & Employment Program, and Disability Etiquette Training for organizations. Services are provided free to consumers through government grants, contracts, and donations.

Product overview

CPWD offers a comprehensive suite of disability services organized around five core service areas: Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Advocacy, and Transitions. These core services are complemented by specialized programs including Beyond Vision (for blind/visually impaired individuals), the Veterans Independence Program, Youth Transitions, and the Disability Benefits & Employment Program. The organization operates multiple peer support groups (Smart Glasses & Low Vision, No Light Perception, Low Vision & Hard of Hearing, Assistive Technology) and community events (Walk, Talk, and Roll, Game Time, Wednesday Skills Training). CPWD functions as a peer-led organization run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beyond Vision: A specialized program providing adaptive skills and tailored peer networks for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
• Veterans Independence Program (VIP)
• Disability Etiquette Training
• Youth Transitions
• IDEA Committee

Products and services

• Beyond Vision

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• People with Disabilities for Immigration Advocacy CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024A grassroots coalition led by CPWD's Executive Director Maria Stepanyan and Community Organizer Craig Towler to address the intersection of disability rights and immigration, advocating for people with disabilities who are immigrants or have family members affected by the immigration system.
• Institute for the Built EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPWD partnered with the Institute for the Built Environment to help draft and advance the Universal Design Standard Tax Incentive Act in Colorado, which encourages developers to integrate modern accessibility features directly into new construction.
• Boulder Community HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPWD partnered with Boulder Community Health on a brand-new pilot program for inclusive emergency planning, ensuring people with disabilities are included in healthcare network emergency preparedness.
• Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)coreOthersCPWD is a service provider for the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation through which they provide Benefits Counseling services to consumers seeking employment and benefits guidance.
• Thornton Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPWD partnered with Thornton Parks and Recreation to offer One Touch Self-Defense classes designed specifically for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind community members.
• DeafBlind Action TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPWD partnered with the DeafBlind Action Team to offer One Touch Self-Defense classes for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind community members.
• Out Boulder CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPWD partnered with Out Boulder County on Beyond Binary education and training to support intersectionality and LGBTQ+ inclusion within the disability community.
• Adaptive AdventuresminorOthersAdaptive Adventures is a Colorado nonprofit offering adaptive sports programs including cycling, climbing, kayaking, and skiing. CPWD references this organization in accessible recreation guides.
• Colorado Parks and WildlifeminorOthersCPWD works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on accessible recreation, including track chair programs and the Columbine Parks Pass program for people with disabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ADAPT: National grassroots disability rights organization focused on community-based independent living and policy change. Comparable to CPWD's peer-led advocacy culture and consumer-driven model.
• RespectAbility: National organization advancing disability inclusion through advocacy, training, and communications. Comparable to CPWD's Disability Etiquette Training and systems advocacy, though operating nationally without regional service delivery.

Direct peers

• Lighthouse Guild: Nonprofit serving people who are blind or visually impaired through rehabilitation, assistive technology, and behavioral health services. Directly comparable to CPWD's Beyond Vision model and smart-glasses training offerings.
• Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): National disability rights law and policy center focused on civil rights, ADA enforcement, and systems advocacy. Directly comparable to CPWD's systems advocacy and Disability Rights Advocacy Day work.
• Helen Keller Services for the Blind: Nonprofit providing rehabilitation, education, and independent living services for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Closely comparable to CPWD's Beyond Vision program in mission, services, and assistive-technology training.
• Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC): Statewide Colorado disability rights coalition advocating for inclusive policy and cross-disability community organizing. Directly comparable to CPWD's Colorado advocacy focus and consumer-led governance model.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability and autism services, vocational rehabilitation, and independent living support across the U.S. Operates a much broader portfolio than CPWD but competes for overlapping disability-services funding and corporate partnerships.
• National Disability Rights Network: Federally funded Protection & Advocacy network providing legal and individual advocacy for people with disabilities. Comparable to CPWD's individual and systems advocacy functions at a national scale.
• The Arc: National organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, services, and family support. Comparable to CPWD's disability advocacy and peer-support missions but with national scale and a broader I/DD focus.

Regional players

• Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado: Colorado-based nonprofit providing resources, advocacy, and support for people with brain injuries. Regionally comparable to CPWD's Colorado Front Range disability services footprint and resource navigation role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-people-with-disabilities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for People With Disabilities