Easterseals

In our latest episode of Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong, Jennifer Gasner, author and disability advocate, joins us to talk about identity, representation, and in a special segment for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we chat about the importance of inclusive workplaces. Jennifer emphasizes the value of flexible accommodations and the need for employers to truly listen to and support their disabled employees. A must-hear for anyone committed to equity in the workplace! Check out the episode now! #Ableism #Advocacy #Storytelling #Disability #InclusiveWorkplace

DAF Day is 10/10 – a perfect score to make an impact! 🎉 On October 10th, join us in celebrating DAF Day by making a difference with your Donor-Advised Fund. If you already have a DAF, it’s a simple and effective way to support Easterseals and help provide essential services to individuals with disabilities and their families. Not sure how? Setting up a DAF is easier than you think, and it’s a smart way to manage your charitable giving. Mark your calendars for 10/10 and consider using your DAF to create lasting change! Use our free donor advised fund tool: https://lnkd.in/g3RXm9_Z #DAFDay #Philanthropy #MakeAnImpact #SupportEasterseals #DonorAdvisedFund #DisabilityAdvocacy

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, it’s time to confront the realities of employment discrimination — and how we can all push for a more inclusive future. In our latest blog, Leah Smith shares her insights on the challenges disabled people face in the workforce and the steps we can take toward change. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/g5e3T2qn #NDEAM #DisabilityEmployment #InclusionMatters

Happy National Employ Older Workers Week! This week, we’re recognizing the vital contributions of older adults and the impact of programs like Easterseals Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which helps mature workers gain the skills they need to reenter the workforce. Through valuable partnerships with community organizations, Easterseals affiliates provide mature job seekers with training, internships, and resources that make a lasting impact on their financial stability and quality of life. One shining example comes from Easterseals Oregon, where their SCSEP program is transforming lives by helping older adults navigate technological advancements, build modern job skills, and regain their sense of purpose. In our latest blog, you’ll discover personal stories of individuals who’ve found hope, community, and employment through the program. Read more about the Easterseals Oregon SCSEP program and the life-changing difference it’s making in their community: https://lnkd.in/dihRvqhG #NEOWW #EmployOlderWorkers #InclusiveEmployment #EastersealsOregon #SCSEP

Strong commitments to advocacy and clear priorities are essential for leading impactful organizations. Join us as Katy Neas gives an inside look into public policy at The Arc, particularly concerning Medicaid and educational opportunities for people with disabilities. Upcoming efforts will address potential changes to Medicaid—a critical issue impacting communities and disability services nationwide. Don't miss out on this week's episode of ""On Board with Transparent Leadership""! #Leadership #Advocacy #DisabilityRights #WorkLifeBalance

Sex education should be for everyone—including students with disabilities. But often, this population is overlooked, leaving many behind. In this insightful blog by Ashira Greenberg, learn how educators can create inclusive spaces that embrace all learning styles, ensuring that every student gets the support they need to thrive in sexual education. Let’s work towards a future where all students have access to the tools and knowledge for safe and healthy relationships. Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/gUrg4f6U

Our hosts Erin and Lily chat with the incredible Lauren Melissa Ellzey, a self-advocate, author, and educator on "Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong". Lauren Melissa shares her journey of writing a novel by hand during the COVID-19 shutdown, which she later published with Bold Strokes Books, an indie publisher focused on diversity and LGBTQ+ authors. Lauren discusses her creative process, fueled by childhood fantasies and inspirations like Holly Black, and the importance of diverse representation in fiction. Her novel, "Streamline," features an openly autistic protagonist, reflecting her advocacy for authentic and inclusive storytelling. We dive into Lauren's late autism diagnosis, her coping strategies, and her advocacy work for queer, BIPOC, and disabled communities. She also offers heartfelt advice for aspiring writers and the importance of staying true to oneself. Tune in for an episode brimming with the celebration of diverse identities. #DiversityMatters #AutismAdvocate #RepresentationInBooks

Now that students are back in the classroom, let's make disability history an essential part of the curriculum! Every graduate should leave school knowing about disability rights, the ADA, and the trailblazing leaders like the legendary Judy Heumann, known as the "Mother of Disability Rights." But teaching history is just the start. To create a new generation of leaders who value equity, access, and inclusion, disability must be woven into lessons across all subjects. Explore why this is so important in Rachel Handler's blog: https://lnkd.in/ggMQzHyk

Planning for college is crucial for any student, but for disabled students, preparation can make all the difference. In this blog by Dom Evans, discover the unique challenges disabled students face and the critical steps someone can take to navigate higher education successfully. From finding the right accommodations to choosing the best school, having a clear plan can open doors to independence and success. Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/gqhsWuMF

In order to achieve our goal of full equity and inclusion, everyone should be able to travel with ease. With recent developments in autonomous transportation, there is incredible potential to transform the lives of people with disabilities. Autonomous vehicles have extra space that could allow room for wheelchairs and other assistive devices, and they offer an exciting new option for people with vision impairments. However, in order for AVs to be accessible for everyone, it’s important for accessibility to be considered at each step of the development process. Read Easterseals CEO Kendra Davenport’s op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/g8kZSWZs