• FOUR CORNERS DISABILITY LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY PROJECT

Empowering
Voices

Building job skills, self-advocacy, leadership and independent living for people with disabilities in Farmington, Bloomfield, Aztec, Shiprock, Newcomb, Gallup, Zuni and nearby communities.

About the project

A Community-Centered Project That Starts by Listening.

Empowering Voices is run by the Four Corners Regional Education Cooperative #1 (FCREC #1) and funded through the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council. We work with people with disabilities, families, community organizations and employers to find out what’s needed, then build programs around those priorities.

Our first months focus on learning each community’s needs, connecting with regional partners, and opening up real opportunities to build work readiness, self-advocacy, leadership and independent living skills.

Our goals

What We’re Working Toward

  • Employment and career readiness

    Building job skills, exploring careers, and getting through applications, interviews and workplace accommodations.

  • Self-advocacy and leadership

    Knowing your rights, speaking up for what you need, and taking part in the decisions that affect you.

  • Independent living

    Practical skills, services and resources that support independence and community involvement.

  • Disability awareness and inclusion

    Helping employers, organizations and neighbors make room for everyone.

  • Regional partnerships

    Working together across the Four Corners so more people can reach programs and services.

  • Programs that last

    Regular activities and resource connections that keep going beyond the first year.

What we’ll offer

Four Program Areas

These are the kinds of activities we plan to offer. What actually happens in each community will depend on what people there tell us they need.

Employment and career readiness

  • Resume and job application workshops
  • Interview practice and workplace communication
  • Help finding job openings and workforce resources
  • Learning about accommodations, rights and job supports
  • Outreach to employers about inclusive hiring

Disability leadership and self-advocacy

  • Workshops on disability rights and making informed decisions
  • Setting personal goals and practicing how to ask for what you need
  • Leadership development and peer networking
  • Community conversations led by the experiences of people with disabilities

Independent living and resource access

  • Connections to disability services and community resources
  • Workshops on everyday independent living skills
  • Help with technology and getting online
  • Finding your way through services and transportation options

Community partnerships and inclusion

  • Partnerships with local organizations, employers, schools, colleges and workforce agencies
  • Disability awareness and inclusion training
  • Regional workshops and shared resources
  • Finding gaps in services and ways to work together

Where we work

Across the Whole Region from Day One

We’re not starting in one town and waiting. Outreach begins in every community at once, adapted to local needs, languages, travel, scheduling, transportation and accessibility.

Farmington, Bloomfield and Aztec
First partnerships and pilot programs.
Shiprock
Meeting local organizations, service providers and community members to learn needs and find ways to work together.
Newcomb
Finding community contacts and accessible places to meet.
Gallup
Connecting with disability service organizations, workforce resources and community programs.
Zuni
Building relationships with local and tribal community members to learn priorities and the right way to engage.
San Juan River Aztec Bloomfield Farmington Shiprock Newcomb Gallup Zuni N
Approximate locations, not to scale.

First pilot event

Career Ready: Resume and Job Application Workshop

Hands-on help getting ready for work, about two hours long, with one-on-one support for anyone who wants it. We’ll also ask what other job-related help people need, so the next workshops are shaped by you.

  1. Build your resume

    Pin down your strengths, skills, interests and experience, and put them on paper.

  2. Fill out job applications

    Go over what applications usually ask for, then practice completing one with guidance.

  3. Prepare for interviews

    Practice answers, talk through workplace accommodations and job supports, and plan your next steps.

When and where

Date and location will be announced after we talk with partners and hear who’s interested.

Planned with

San Juan Center for Independence, workforce development staff, Vocational Rehabilitation and other community partners.

Getting started

The First 90 Days

A flexible plan. Dates and activities will shift with community priorities, partner availability and grant requirements.

  1. Weeks 1–2

    Planning and regional outreach

    • Confirm goals and requirements with project leadership
    • Reach out to partners in all seven communities
    • Map services, meeting places, accessibility and transportation barriers
    • Gather early input from people with disabilities, families and providers

    We’ll have: a partner directory, outreach log, early needs assessment and workshop outline.

  2. Weeks 3–6

    Pilot programs and continued outreach

    • Hold the Career Ready workshop
    • Follow up with contacts in every community
    • Look for more workshops and presentations
    • Collect feedback and note barriers like transportation, scheduling and technology

    We’ll have: a completed pilot, feedback summary and recommendations.

  3. Weeks 7–12

    Building, coordinating and evaluating

    • Improve workshops based on feedback
    • Plan self-advocacy, leadership and independent living programs
    • Explore employer education on inclusion
    • Review progress with leadership

    We’ll have: a program calendar for the next period and a first outcome summary.

Accessibility

Built So Everyone Can Take Part

Every community is different. We’ll listen and build relationships instead of assuming everyone needs the same thing.

  • Accessible locations, materials and ways to communicate
  • Reasonable accommodations and one-on-one support
  • Plain-language information and accessible digital resources
  • Planning around transportation, scheduling and other barriers
  • Culturally responsive outreach that respects each community’s priorities
  • Your feedback shapes what comes next
  • Respect for your privacy, consent, choices and independence

Partners

Organizations We Plan to Reach Out To

We want to connect what already exists, not duplicate it. Partnerships will be built together.

  • San Juan Center for Independence
  • New Mexico Workforce Connection
  • New Mexico Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Native American Disability Law Center
  • San Juan College and regional schools
  • Local school districts and transition programs
  • Employers and workforce programs
  • Independent living and disability service organizations
  • Community-based organizations and tribal programs

Get in touch

Tell Us What Your Community Needs.

Want to join a workshop, become a partner, or share an idea? Reach out to our program coordinator.

Courtney Spencer

Project Coordinator, Four Corners Regional Education Cooperative #1

Phone
505-635-1404

Empowering Voices is a project of Four Corners Regional Education Cooperative #1, funded through the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council. Participant information is kept confidential. Plans may change based on community input.