The Courier | El Paso County Newsletter - May 2023

This month's theme is accessibility. El Paso County is working toward ensuring that our digital content and facilities are accessible to all of our residents, staff, and visitors to the region. Creating an accessible experience is critical to addressing the needs of all our residents. Our increased focus on accessibility will enhance everyone's ability to enjoy our services and amenities and interact with us throughout our region and online.

We have made great strides in increasing our efforts, such as our Trailability Program and a new webmaster, which you will learn about in this month's edition. Another one of those efforts is providing this edition of the Courier in braille to various partners throughout the community. We will continue improving to reach all our residents and visitors. We are also open to new ideas, so if you have any, please send them to epcpio@elpasoco.com.

A c c e s s i b i l i t y

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted to foster a barrier-free society. With the passing of the ADA, more attention was placed on the needs of individuals, such as rebuilding sidewalks to include tactile paving, creating accessible websites, and including braille on all signs.

El Paso County is committed to ensuring all residents, regardless of ability, have equal access to the County's resources and services. In 2019, El Paso County developed, approved, and adopted an ADA Transition Plan. This plan emphasizes transparency so the public can see where enhancements are needed and how the County is working to address those needs.

The County has made strides in accessibility across all departments. One of those areas is the El Paso County website, the primary information hub for residents. The website is a vital component of the county's infrastructure, enabling the community to stay informed on important news, access resources and services, participate in community events and programs, and engage with local government.

As we navigate through an ever-growing digital world, it's crucial that everyone in our community can easily access information and resources online. Website accessibility is vital to bridging gaps and connecting people in the county. El Paso County has implemented website accessibility standards to ensure that our website is accessible and our community has access to the many services and programs available.

To advance El Paso County's goal of promoting website accessibility, in 2021, we implemented Siteimprove an innovative ADA tool designed to help identify and address potential accessibility issues on our website. This powerful tool evaluates the website against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – a universally recognized set of recommendations to make web content more accessible. Siteimprove not only helps detect accessibility issues but also offers valuable resources to enhance our website's overall user experience and quality.

The County has also undertaken a comprehensive review of our website's layout and design to ensure that information and resources are not only accessible but easy to navigate. This review resulted in a redesign we expect to unveil in late spring 2023. The redesign includes reorganizing content into clear categories with intuitive navigation menus so that users can quickly locate important information and services.

In addition, we are excited to welcome Samantha Radomski as our new Webmaster. Samantha will be instrumental in enhancing the accessibility of our digital assets through the development of policies, comprehensive training, and support for content editors. With a solid background and passion for accessibility, our Webmaster brings critical expertise to ensure that all users can easily navigate and engage with our digital resources. Moreover, through tailored training sessions, content editors will be empowered with the knowledge and tools to create accessible content, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience for everyone.

HOW CAN I...

REPORT A POTHOLE

REPORT TRASH REMOVAL

REPORT ANIMAL/ WILDLIFE ISSUE

REPORT ROAD REPAIR NEED

CONTACT A COMMISSIONER

REPORT TUMBLEWEED IN THE RIGHT OF WAY

El Paso County has upgraded the citizen connect website and application. Connect with us now and report an issue or connect with your commissioner. Scan code below or visit: CITIZENCONNECT.ELPASOCO.COM

This month, El Paso County highlights the many avenues county agencies take to ensure services are as accessible as possible to all residents, regardless of individual challenges. As a top service provider in the region, we are responsible for making parks, buildings, and digital services accessible to all. In addition, many County departments and offices have pioneered new technologies and programs that serve our residents by enabling them to live life to the fullest. Check out all the amazing things happening in our county! We are truly proud of our nationally recognized efforts to create an accessible living experience for our residents. Enjoy the valuable insights and resources provided by our 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Parks & Community Services Department, Economic Development, Department of Human Services, Public Health Department, Facilities & Strategic Infrastructure Management, and Department of Public Works.

NINE NINE T T FIVE FIVE

4th Judicial District Attorney's Office

The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Crime Strategy Unit (CSU), led by Director Kevin Clark, is the vehicle for implementing Intelligence-Driven Prosecution. The CSU analyzes crime trends for prosecutorial priority decision-making, partners with local law enforcement to identify the people, places, and problems that drive crime, and publishes public-facing data dashboards to support transparency.

To access our data dashboard, please follow this link: https://www.da4colorado.gov/datadashboards

to enhance and broaden community equity within th operating at El Paso County Nature Centers. Serving as a free program to the community, El Paso County has ensured financial constraints are not barriers to participation. The program, which provides accessible recreational opportunities, utilizes Terrain Hoppers, allowing individuals who utilize wheelchairs to be immersed in nature. These battery-operated vehicles are quiet and gentle, preserving and protecting the natural resources within El Paso County Parks and Open Spaces while providing novel access to nature's organic relaxation for those previously held back

Economic Development

The Economic Development Department invested in the accessibility of local municipalities through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) initiative. In 2022, the towns of Monument and Green Mountain Falls benefited from grant funding that helped improve ADA access to critical town infrastructure, including the iconic Green Mountain Falls gazebo. "Everyone is excited about this opportunity to enhance our community shared spaces in support of residents who need ADA accommodation," Annie Sprang, Green Mountain Falls' former Town Manager, said of the project.

Department of Human Services

The El Paso County Department of Human Services (DHS) seeks to ensure that local, state, and federal government services are accessible to all residents. As a result, several assistive devices are available in the main DHS lobby at the Citizens Service Center (CSC), including multiple looping devices for the deaf and hard of hearing community. This system eliminates most background noise and dramatically improves understanding of speech.

A Sorenson Video Relay System for the deaf and hard of hearing community is available in a dedicated room in the main DHS lobby. The equipment provides a way to place and receive calls through a professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. There is no cost to the client or the agency to use this system. The federal government funds the setup and operation.

Language may present challenges to families and individuals seeking help. At the main DHS lobby at CSC, there is usually at least one staff member who speaks Spanish. Agency-wide, 73 DHS employees are bilingual in Spanish and work directly with clients. One employee is bilingual in Arabic. Applications for economic assistance are available in English, Spanish, and in large print and are available online and may be printed on demand by DHS staff. In addition, DHS utilizes contractors to provide translation and interpretation services for various global languages.

Computer kiosks are available in the main DHS lobby at CSC for anyone to apply for economic assistance programs. Interview rooms are also available with phones for those without access to a personal phone to complete interviews that are part of the application process for assistance.

El Paso County Public Health

To enhance easy access to mental health supports, El Paso County has two resources available for mental health, substance use and suicide crisis concerns: the Colorado Crisis Line - 1-844493-TALK (8255) - and the nationwide 988 line. Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential, and immediate support. Crisis clinicians and peer specialists are available 24/7/365 via phone, text, or inperson at walk-in centers in both English and Spanish.

If you don't know where to begin getting help with mental health, substance use, or an emotional concern - for you or someone you know - start here Clinicians will listen and care and are committed to offering guidance, no matter the issue.

988 is more than just an easy-to-remember three-digit number; it's a direct connection to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. 988 is offered in English or Spanish over the phone, with texting available in English, all connected to trained crisis workers for care and support. For those who are hard of hearing or blind, 988 currently serves teletypewriter (TTY) users through their preferred relay service or by dialing 711, then 1-800-273-8255. A chat feature can also be accessed in English through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's website. People can use 988 if they have thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. Family and friends can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support for their mental health.

Visit www.elpasocountyhealth.org for additional resources and information.

Facilities & Strategic Infrastructure

Our Facilities ADA Division is all about ensuring everyone in our community can access and enjoy everything that El Paso County offers We work closely with EPC infrastructure, departments, and local organizations to identify and remove barriers to access wherever possible. It is one of our key areas of focus outlined in the El Paso County 2019 Transition Plan ensuring that the County is following ADA regulations.

We've had a lot of cool stuff going on this year, like helping with the Terrain Hopper Trailability program at Bear Creek Nature Center by completing an ADA parking and transfer pad. We're also working on improvements to drinking fountain accessibility at the Judicial and Citizens Service Center facilities, completing a transfer shower improvement project at the Criminal Justice Center, and installing upgraded ADA parking at Homestead Ranch Regional Park.

Our goal is to ensure that everyone in our community has equal access to County programs, activities, and services. So stay tuned El Paso County, because there's plenty more exciting projects to come!

blic Work

As the Construction Maintenance Section of the Department of Public Works (DPW) engineering division, one of our primary objectives is to address Citizen Service Requests to maintain and improve ADA facilities in accordance with the October 2019 El Paso County ADA Transition Plan. The bulk of this effort has taken place as part of the ongoing Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) concrete maintenance projects, with other high-priority areas being addressed as funding becomes available DPW has obtained federal and state funding for these projects, one of which is underway, and another planned to begin in the summer of 2023. These projects are to determine ADA compliance needs and to prioritize, design and construct ADA improvements.

In addition, with one of our current projects, we have nearly completed a datacollection effort to determine our current ADA network compliance needs. The review of this data is ongoing, but once complete, DPW will develop a prioritization plan to remove barriers to accessibility and provide a roadmap to obtain full compliance with planned timelines in accordance with the Transition Plan.

The mission of El Paso County Nature Centers is to connect people to their natural and cultural resources, inspiring them to become stewards of publicly owned lands and the environment. However, before the Trailability Program in 2022, no established hiking program existed for people with accessibility barriers in El Paso County. We understood the need to provide more access to parks, trails, and open spaces to an underserved population in the community and implemented the Trailability Program.

We are committed to expanding accessible outdoor recreation for all individuals and will soon implement a VIP (Visually-Impaired Person) Trail at Bear Creek Nature Center.

The VIP Trail project will serve people with vision impairment by offering a variety of interpretive signs and posts with rope guidance along Bear Creek Nature Center's existing Songbird Trail to guide visitors.

In the Region

To use this trail to its full potential, visitors with visual impairments can borrow an audio device that will allow them to scan the interpretive signs for audio. Complementary indoor exhibit content will also be featured at Bear Creek Nature Center for the blind/visually impaired community.

This program will be free to visitors and can be utilized at Bear Creek Nature Center Tuesday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The project is funded by Bear Creek Nature Center's Partner in the Park, the Scott Lauther Foundation.

The VIP Trail project will be completed and accessible this spring. A ribboncutting ceremony will be held to recognize this new offering. We hope this project will increase the nature center's reach and enable us to connect more community members with visual impairments to our natural resources and beautiful trails.

Committed to serving our community

Viewpoint

A collection of Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind student art projects

M a y

ART SHOW 05

5 PM - 8 PM | Fine Arts Center - 30 West Dale St 80903

Students from each of the schools at Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) showcase their art throughout May.

FAMILY FUN DAY 06

10 AM - 2 PM | Fountain Creek Nature Center

Explore outdoor activity stations, including dinosaur fossils, bug sweeps, kite making, pond critters, crafts, and more!

FREE ARCHERY DAY 13

10 AM - 2 PM | Bear Creek Nature Center

USA-certified archery coaches from the Archery School of the Rockies will walk you through the basics and test your skills; all equipment is provided

FOREST BATHING WALK 20

1 PM - 3:30 PM | Bear Creek Nature Center

Experience the therapeutic practice of Shinrinyoku and awaken your senses with a slow, mindful walk through the woods and a beautiful tea ceremony

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 23

9 AM | 366 10th Street, Calhan, Colorado 80808

Our elected officials will have their weekly Board of County Commissioners meeting at the El Paso County Fairgrounds.

KIDS OUTDOOR SURVIVAL

1 PM - 3 PM | Fountain Creek Nature Center

This class will focus on common injuries, basic treatment, and learning about what is in a first aid kit and how to use each piece