Join us for our Annual CNDCC Holiday Party and kick off the season with fun, laughter, and unforgettable connections! Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere as we celebrate the year’s successes and look ahead to an exciting future.

Entertainment provided by Dr. Sam Shay, Stand-up Comedian

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members / $40 for Non-Members

Location: CoBank National Headquarters at the Denver Tech Center

6340 S. Fiddlers Green Circle
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Disability Inclusive Interviewing

Discover how to find the right employees for your business needs by implementing practical, accessible inclusive interview strategies . Learn what can and cannot be asked related to medical information and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), empowering you to conduct interviews with confidence. 

Below is specific content that will be discussed: 

·        Role-Centered Interviewing 

·        Understanding Pre-Conceived Notions 

·        Accessibility Consideration 

·        What Can and Can Not Be Asked 

·        Medical Information & the ADA 

Presenter: Vikki Ortiz, MS, CESP

Vikki Bio: Vikki is a Trainer and Curriculum Developer specializing in Supported Employment as well as the Communications Lead with the Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF). She is a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) and a graduate of both the National Association of People Supporting Employment First’s (APSE) Emerging Leaders in Employment First professional development program and the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities’ Leadership Institute. She also serves as a Co-President of the Colorado Chapter of APSE.

Her educational background is in Human Development and Family Studies with an M.S. in Family Studies. Vikki has over 6 years of experience in this field and over 15 years of experience in management and training. She has been sought out to present nationally on Supported Employment and Employment First and to provide consultation and technical assistance to other organizations. Vikki has lived experience as a neurodiverse woman and has a vision for all people with disabilities to fully realize, pursue, and accomplish their employment goals.

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series.

Organizing Strategies to Support a Neuroinclusive Workplace

This session will provide support for businesses in creating environments that support both their neurodivergent and neurotypical employees. We will develop an understanding of the impact of good (and poorly) organized environments for the individual and the business as a whole. We will review types of clutter/disorganization to provide ways to identify changes that could be made within your specific work environment.  Finally, we will cover specific steps to take to combat clutter and disorganization to create a work environment that reduces stress, increases productivity, and can even improve aesthetics, resulting in spaces that better meet the needs for all employees.

Led by Erin Gaskins, Room Redefined:

• Founder of Room Redefined Professional Organizing- a relationship-based organizing service that assists people in residential, commercial, and education-based settings to realize their organizational goals.

• Member of neurodivergent family

• 25-year Veteran of public education

• Advocate for the understanding and respect for the neurodivergent mind

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series.

Recruitment, Job Descriptions, & Applications: Brian Dean, MA, CRC, Colorado Office of Employment First

Explore how accessible recruitment strategies and position descriptions can cultivate an inclusive talent pipeline focused on targeting skills that contribute to your business needs.  

Below is specific content that will be discussed: 

·        Targeting inclusion 

·        Talent acquisition through accessibility 

·        Recruitment strategies 

·        Matching 

·        Position announcements and descriptions 

Free for CNDCC Members

$35 for Non-Members

Danny Combs - Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT)

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series with Danny Combs, one of our CNDCC Co-Founders and CEO of TACT.

This exciting session emphasizes the importance of developing diverse and inclusive workplaces by creating environments that meet the needs of all employees. The session will focus on maximizing strengths, increasing employee satisfaction, and nurturing a positive work culture through strategies that support individuals from various backgrounds and abilities. It will also explore how the skilled trades can be leveraged to develop essential employment skills and will cover educational transition services to ensure smooth career progression. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical advice on fostering an inclusive work environment that promotes equality, diversity, and overall employee well-being. The session will cover techniques to enhance inclusivity and promote equal opportunities. Additionally, it will highlight the benefits of an inclusive workforce and provide actionable steps to improve diversity and inclusivity within organizations, with a particular focus on utilizing skilled trades and educational transition services to support these efforts.

Please click RSVP and email your interest in joining.

Colorado Disability and Employment Collective - Special Event.

Join CNDCC in partnership with Colorado Office of Employment First as we convene state agencies to unify services in Colorado. Learn from your partners and elevate collaboration during this unique in person opportunity at the Daniels Fund in Cherry Creek.

Members: Please RSVP below and state your company and the names of those you are registering, if registering more than one person.

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series!

Breaking Barriers with Jeff Sidders and Renee Romero from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Addressing the common barriers to employment for professionals with disabilities, and especially for those who are neurodivergent, this presentation will provide insight as to the reasons why this population is often excluded from employment opportunities. This session will also break down some of the myths around disability, neurodivergency, and employment, share some of the many benefits to having a more diverse and neuro inclusive workforce, and highlight some of the best practices to adapt.

Join us at The Daniels Fund for our in person Panel Discussion.

Join Chris Brashar & Ian Warner from Trimble, along with TACT’s Danny Combs for an engaging discussion about neurodiversity and the Trades. Details to be confirmed.

CNDCC Members: To RSVP please click the button below and email your RSVP. If you are RSVPing for multiple people in your company, simply list their names and email addresses so we can get them the pertinent information.

Join us for a garden party at the beautiful Firefly Autism Sensory Community Garden.

Family members are welcome at this summer celebration of neurodiversity.

More details to be announced.

CNDCC Lunchtime Lecture:

Employment First through the Lens of Neurodiversity by Vikki Ortiz, MS, CESP,  Curriculum Developer/Trainer with Colorado Office of Employment First

This webinar will introduce attendees to the Employment First movement and demonstrate the critical need to welcome people with disabilities into the workforce, including career seekers in the neurodiverse community. After discussing the power of having high expectations about the valuable contributions the neurodiverse community can offer the workforce, we will explore how to accommodate and support neurodiverse employees throughout their employment journey with your company. The webinar will close with a sharing of resources and an opportunity for questions. 

All remote events are recorded. By registering you are agreeing to attend a recorded event.

 Members: Please log in to register.

Non-Member Registration: $35. NOTE: Once you register, a CNDCC representative will contact you with the event log in information.

Neurodiversity 101 - What Every Business Needs to Know.

Back by Popular Demand! Join us for one of our most attended sessions for the essentials on understanding neurodiversity, the importance of language, practical advice, and what your business needs to know regarding inclusive onboarding, hiring, and retention.

RSVP below and include your name and your CNDCC member organization if applicable. If you are a business member, please be sure to include names of colleagues who will also join.

Sarah Klein, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming.

The Foundation provides resources to ensure appropriate and accurate information for those impacted by epilepsy. Their goal is to connect, educate and empower those in the epilepsy community to inspire people to successfully manage their healthcare and lives. They offer a broad range of educational programs, support groups, and fundraising events to support the 65,000 people living with epilepsy in Colorado & Wyoming. As one of the less common thought of neurodivergences, we are delighted to welcome Sarah to discuss Epilepsy and neurodiversity, some of the challenges and opportunities that face those living with epilepsy in the workforce, and what businesses and individuals can do.

RSVP below and include your name and your CNDCC member organization if applicable. If you are a business member, please be sure to include names of colleagues who will also join.