About Easter Seals

Easter Seals is a prominent nonprofit organization that has been serving individuals with disabilities and their families for over 100 years. Founded in 1919, the organization has grown to become one of the largest disability services providers in the United States, with a network of affiliates across the country.

Mission and Purpose:
Easter Seals’ mission is to lead the way to full equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities. They work tirelessly to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Key Services:

1. Healthcare Programs: Easter Seals offers critical health programs and therapies to support individuals with disabilities. These services are designed to improve physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
2. Education Support: The organization provides educational services to help children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential. This includes early intervention programs, special education support, and transition services for young adults.
3. Employment Assistance: Easter Seals works to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities, offering job training, placement services, and support for workplace accommodations.
4. Community Services: They provide a range of community-based services to promote independence and inclusion, such as adult day programs, respite care, and recreational activities.
5. Advocacy: Easterseals advocates for policies and legislation that support the rights and needs of people with disabilities at local, state, and national levels.

Leadership:
While specific information about the current CEO is not provided in the given content, Easter Seals mentions Kendra Davenport as the President and CEO in relation to their podcast “On Board with Transparent Leadership”.

Programs and Initiatives:

1. On Board with Transparent Leadership Podcast: This program features CEOs and leaders from top organizations discussing aspects of transparent leadership, including communication, trust-building, and fostering a culture of openness and accountability.
2. Jet Speed for Accessible Air Travel: Easter Seals has launched a national public service announcement campaign to address the issue of airlines breaking or destroying wheelchairs. The campaign aims to make air travel more accessible for people with disabilities.
3. ES Gaming: This initiative focuses on creating a more inclusive space in the video gaming industry. It aims to establish a new standard for equity, inclusion, and access among disabled gamers and amplify disabled voices and accessible innovations.

Impact and Reach:
Easterseals has a significant impact on the lives of many individuals with disabilities:

1. They serve children like Jaxon, who has quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, providing critical health programs and therapies.
2. Success stories include individuals like Auburn Smith, born with Spina Bifida and clubfoot, who became a nationally-ranked tennis player and aspiring musician.
3. The organization has helped people like Marti Clark, a former Easter Seals child representative, achieve their goals through transitional support.
4. Easter Seals has supported individuals with autism, like Connor and Abby, in making social strides and leading anti-bullying campaigns.

Funding and Support:
Easterseals relies on donations to continue providing its essential services. They encourage supporters to donate, emphasizing that contributions help ensure local access to essential services for children and adults with disabilities nationwide.

Community Engagement:
The organization maintains strong connections with its supporters and the broader community through various channels:

1. Blog: Easter Seals regularly publishes blog posts on topics related to disability rights, inclusion, and personal stories of individuals they’ve supported.
2. Newsletter: They offer a monthly email newsletter featuring news, helpful resources, and impactful stories.
3. Social Media: Easterseals maintains an active presence on social media platforms to engage with supporters and share information.

Easter Seals stands as a cornerstone in the disability services sector, offering a wide range of programs and support to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. Their century-long commitment to equity, inclusion, and access continues to make a significant impact on communities across the United States.