The Center for Independence, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities, is being awarded $7,500 as part of a legal settlement stemming from an employment disability discrimination case in Mesa County. The funds will support the nonprofit’s efforts to provide disability rights and etiquette training to local employers and employees, fostering more inclusive workplaces.

The case, handled by attorneys Dan Robinson and Nicholas Mayle of Ramos Law Office in Grand Junction, involved a young man with intellectual disabilities who faced severe mistreatment from coworkers and inadequate support from supervisors. Rather than escalating the matter to court, the employer opted to settle, providing direct compensation to the young man while also directing funds toward broader workplace inclusivity efforts.

For more information about Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Ave., and its mission, please visit www.cfigj.org or contact the Grand Junction office at 970-241-0315.