About Inclusive Denver Movement
Who We Are
The Inclusive Denver Movement (IDM) is a nonprofit dedicated to building meaningful opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities. Through community outings, skill-building programs, and future career pathways, IDM is creating spaces where inclusion isn’t just a word — it’s a way of life.
Who We Serve
We focus on serving teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with individuals with physical disabilities who benefit from moderate supports. Many in this population are eager to be part of their community but face limited opportunities after high school.
What We Do
IDM bridges the gap by creating meaningful experiences:
IDM bridges that gap by creating meaningful experiences:
Community Outings – trips to games, concerts, and local events that build connection and joy.
Skill-Building Programs – hands-on projects that teach practical job skills.
Confidence for Daily Life – experiences that grow independence and self-belief.
Our goal is simple: to provide the right supports so participants can thrive, connect with others, and feel included in every part of community life.
About the Founder
Inclusive Denver Movement was founded by Icaro Demian Mardones, who has dedicated over 15 years to working in public schools. Recognized nationally and locally for his excellence, he was named Teacher of the Year in 2013 by the Council for Learning Disabilities, honored as a Distinguished Teacher by Denver Public Schools in 2018, and consistently rated effective throughout his career through peer and administrator observations.
Icaro’s original plan was to pursue a career as a school psychologist, studying psychology with a minor in women’s studies. While working as a paraprofessional in a center-based program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, he discovered a deep passion for this community. With a natural ability to connect, build trust, and form lifelong friendships, he made the decision to become a special education teacher. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he continued his studies at Metropolitan State University, earning certification in special education.
Born and raised in Denver, Icaro began teaching at Abraham Lincoln High School, where he planned to spend his career until retirement. Over time, however, he became increasingly aware of the gap in services available for students after high school. While he regularly took his students into the community throughout the school year, many expressed the desire to experience more — to attend sporting events, concerts, and outings that were out of reach due to financial or access barriers.
Maintaining close relationships with former students, Icaro has seen firsthand how limited opportunities remain once school ends. Out of this realization, and a refusal to ignore the needs of his community, he founded the Inclusive Denver Movement. IDM was created to bridge the gap, providing access, opportunities, and meaningful experiences that help teens and adults with disabilities thrive.
What People Are Saying
Former Students
“Mr. Mardones is a great friend and best teacher that I ever had.”
“Mr. Mardones is awesome, cool, and nice. I am glad he was my teacher. I remember when he took us to Elitches and we rode the rides together. He took me on the Mind Eraser and it was crazy! I was screaming the whole time!”
“I always think of my favorite teacher in the world. I always tell everyone about him. He is the realest person who ever looked out for me when I was younger.”
“Mardones was the coolest teacher I ever had during my freshman through senior year. I consider him as a brother.”
Former Colleagues
“Icaro demonstrates an unwavering commitment to empowering students of all ages to reach their full potential. His humor, compassion, and knowledge foster a safe and supportive learning environment, allowing students to grow and develop without fear of judgment.”
“I worked with Icaro from 2013 to 2017 as a special education teachers. In my 15 year career, he has been the most important person that I have crossed paths with while teaching. We accomplished an unbelievable amount things all thanks to his passion for helping people. He led the charge in providing unforgettable experiences like taking time over summer break to supervisor and coach students on several trips to Grand Junction for the Special Olympics state championships. He arranged stops at Rifle, CO. for kids to experience a waterfall and a hike. We supervised students for 24 hours a day while they got to stay at Colorado Mesa University dorms while competing in the championships. Inclusive Denver Movement has been an idea of Icaro since Ive known him. People with disabilities deserve someone like him to help them gain access to all the amazing opportunities Denver has to offer.”
“Icaro has students engaged and thinking about work. Working in a classroom with him was great. All students were able to get involved with the work and they were all invested. Students really bought into what they were doing and always wanted to do their best.”
Our Programs
Each program within IDM was carefully designed and developed through more than 15 years of experience in special education at the high school level, with a strong focus on transition planning. They are informed by insights drawn from over a thousand Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), career interest surveys, and daily classroom experience.
Every program was created with intention and attention to detail — centered on the skills, abilities, and preferences of individuals with disabilities. To make sure opportunities are the right fit, participants will complete a modified application and interview process. This process is designed to be supportive, not intimidating, helping participants and families feel confident that IDM is the right match for their goals.
Inclusive Entertainment - IDM’s first program, Inclusive Entertainment, makes community access possible by taking participants to games, concerts, and live events. Outings are built around fun and inclusion — cheering on a favorite team, singing along at a concert, or experiencing cultural events that would otherwise be out of reach.
Participants are picked up at home in a wheelchair-accessible Sprinter van. An IDM staff member attends every outing to help navigate the venue and provide support as needed. Each participant may attend with a guest: those under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian, while adults may bring a friend or community ally of their choice.
These experiences build social connections, confidence, and lifelong memories.
Inclusive Storage & Moving Solutions
Our second program, Inclusive Storage & Moving Solutions, provides hands-on work opportunities through storage unit cleanouts, resale, and simple moving services. With staff support, participants will complete tasks such as small apartment moves, transporting items from one location to another, junk removal (with additional dump fees as needed), and other community-based services.
Every storage unit clean-out comes with a sense of wonder and excitement — participants never know what they might find, and each discovery adds to the learning experience. Moves for customers also provide opportunities for participants to gain recognition and, at times, tips for their effort and dedication.
The program is designed with multiple departments, so participants can find roles that match their skills, preferences, and abilities. Departments include:
Sorting & Categorizing – organizing and tracking recovered items.
Simple Repairs & Cleaning – fixing, restoring, and preparing items.
Online Retail – photographing, listing, and managing sales of recovered goods.
Loaders & Unloaders – moving and transporting items.
Customer Service & Scheduling – helping with communication and coordination.
Donation Coordination – identifying items that can be given directly to families and individuals in need, demonstrating IDM’s commitment to strengthening the community.
This structure ensures that every participant has a place — whether they thrive on physical activity, organization, or customer interaction. The program is intentionally designed for individuals interested in careers that are hands-on, movement-based, or connected to retail and service industries. These are all common career pathways identified by high school students transitioning into adult life, making the program both meaningful and practical.
Future Programs
IDM’s long-term vision includes expanding opportunities through programs that reflect the career interests most often expressed by students transitioning out of high school. These additions will build on the success of our current work and strengthen IDM’s role as a true community hub.
Inclusive Auto Detailing & Services – A small-scale detailing and services program designed to teach hands-on skills in the automotive field, one of the most requested career areas among students. Participants will learn responsibility, teamwork, and customer service while providing a valuable service to the community.
Inclusive Food Services – A program focused on food preparation and service, another major career interest area. Participants will develop skills in kitchen prep, customer service, and hospitality while gaining experience in a supportive, inclusive setting.
Together with Inclusive Entertainment and Inclusive Storage & Moving Solutions, these programs represent the four career pathways most frequently identified in over a thousand Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): community access, retail, automotive, and food service. Each program has been designed with intention, rooted in 15 years of classroom experience, and developed to match the skills, interests, and abilities of individuals with disabilities.