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Association for Community Living in Boulder County


The ACL is the Arc Chapter serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Since 1962 we have been providing resources, training, support and individual and systems change advocacy for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families, friends and communities.

Our Vision

All communities welcome and value the contributions and participation of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our Mission

The Association for Community Living promotes attitudes, practices, programs and policies that enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included as a natural and integral part of community life.


The EXciting Programs Adventures and New Dimensions (EXPAND) flag football team celebrates winning gold!

EXPAND Program for People With Disabilities

City of Boulder Expand Program

Hi and welcome to EXPAND! We work to enhance the lives of people with disabilities through the fun of recreation while promoting development and growth through our programs. Our full time staff consists of five Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) who are dedicated to help people of all abilities enjoy life. We use recreation and leisure activities to help our participants learn and practice:

  • Social skills, community integration and making new friends
  • Physical fitness and emotional health
  • Independence and self-confidence
  • Connect people and families with their community resources
  • Communication skills and appropriate expression of emotions
  • Leisure awareness and skills
  • Adventures and having FUN!

18-Month Program

Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s Graduate Certificate in music education and autism is the first of its kind. It is designed for individuals who wish to gain specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in teaching music to students with autism, but do not wish to pursue a graduate degree. This program features innovative training both in and out of the classroom, including focused classroom learning experiences, hands-on teaching opportunities in the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs, and a community of educators and scholars committed to providing quality music education to all students.


A Breakthrough in Music
Education for Special Needs.

For families everywhere across the globe.

What Is Simply Music Gateway?

A playing-based piano method for those with special needs.

Be Inspired by the Story of Mary & Jewels: 

Icon Mary & Jewels

Meet The Harrisons

Mary Harrison gave birth to her son Jewels in 2001. At 3 years of age Jewels was diagnosed with Autism. Growing up and on a daily basis, Jewels faced the complex and relentless challenge of not being able to communicate with his family. The Simply Music Gateway Program changed that for them. This is their story.

READ ABOUT IT



Via ‘Musicophilia,’ Sacks Studies Music and the Brain

Dr. Oliver Sacks’ lifelong study of the human brain and its oddities has produced a steady stream of books. Elena Siebert

Neurologist Oliver Sacks has spent a career investigating the brain and its capacity to confound humans, starting with Awakenings.

In Musicophilia, he examines the power of music, using experiences gathered from patients, musicians and everyday people. His medical case studies range from a man who is struck by lightning and is suddenly inspired to become a pianist, to a group of children who are hypermusical from birth.

Sacks talks with Andrea Seabrook about the brain’s relationship to music.