Easterseals

Today, as we observe Disability Day of Mourning, Easterseals stands with the disability community as we mourn the lives lost to the senseless violence of filicide. Disability should never be a death sentence. May those we have lost Rest in Peace.

Supporting the work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) is critical in this uncertain time. Through real stories, we’re highlighting the vital support DSPs offer and the transformative, life-changing effects their work has on everyone we serve and their families. When Eleanor lost her husband, she had no one to care for her. She was placed in a home that was soon condemned—until she began to receive care from Easterseals DSPs. They helped her find safe housing, employment, and the support she needed to build a stable future. DSPs don’t just provide care—they help people reclaim their dignity and independence. But without secure federal funding, these life-changing supports are at risk. We must protect the future of disability services and the DSPs who provide these services for so many in the disability community. #ProtectDSPs #DisabilitySupportsMatter

Thank you Comcast! Play is for everyone!

The results are in! We are excited to share that the Century 21 System raised more than $2.6 million for Easterseals in 2024. Thank you, C21, for supporting Easterseals for 46 years! C21 brokers and agents across North America have raised $141 million for Easterseals since 1979, playing a crucial role in our mission to create a world where people with disabilities can lead full lives. https://lnkd.in/gsSX2D4V

Growing up, Onyinye Udokporo MA hid her dyslexia, not knowing it would one day shape her purpose. Now, she’s a CEO and an advocate, working for inclusion and better support for neurodivergent people. In this episode, she opens up about her educational journey, cultural barriers, and why being true to yourself changes everything. You don’t want to miss this one. #EYKPodcast #Neurodiversity #DisabilityRights

Everyone deserves a smooth journey when flying home. Boston Whiplash United States Volt Hockey Association players Marley Robinson and Desi Forte, Youth Program Manager for Easterseals Massachusetts should have been celebrating their bronze medal from the Malmo Open. Instead, they faced unexpected travel challenges when their wheelchairs were deemed too heavy for their return flight, despite no issues on their flight to Denmark. Travel should be accessible for everyone. That’s why Easterseals is working toward making the U.S. the most accessible air travel market in the world by 2026. By improving policies and advocating for solutions that help ensure all travelers experience safe, reliable, and dignified journeys. https://lnkd.in/grwnKt2K

For Onyinye Udokporo MA, growing up as the eldest daughter in a Nigerian family meant carrying big expectations—struggling with reading wasn’t an option. So, masking became a way to cope. In many cultures, asking for help can feel like failing, and the pressure to keep up is real. This episode is an honest conversation about those unspoken struggles, cultural expectations, and the power of finally being seen and accommodated. Check out the full episode today! #EYKPodcast #Neurodiversity #CulturalBarriers

In tomorrow's episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, educator, advocate, and content creator Onyinye Udokporo MA, talks about the misconceptions surrounding neurodivergence and non-apparent disabilities. Onyinye shares her personal experiences with dyslexia and dyspraxia, touching on how tough it can be when others don’t see or understand what she’s going through. Although things are improving, we still have a long way to go in breaking down stigma and challenging assumption. #EYKPodcast #Neurodiversity

After high school, Heidi was isolated at home, losing social skills and struggling emotionally. Then her mother enrolled her in day services at Easterseals Northern Indiana’s Cardinal Services, where DSPs helped her make friends, manage frustrations, and regain her confidence. For many people with disabilities, DSPs are the difference between isolation and opportunity. They provide essential support that help individuals find jobs, build relationships, and live fulfilling lives. But these supports depend on stable federal funding and last week the American people learned how vulnerable that funding is. In this time of uncertainty, it is crucial to acknowledge and support the vital work of Direct Support Professionals. By sharing real-life stories, we emphasize the essential services DSPs provide and the life-changing impact they have on Easterseals participants and their families. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTDvy8wR Connect with your local Easterseals and support their work to protect DSPs. #EmploymentForAll #DSPsChangeLives

For more than 40 years, we've been talking about accessible air travel, yet the experience remains stressful, painful, and humiliating for many passengers with disabilities. Airlines for America's lawsuit to roll back protections is a step in the wrong direction. Every day, an average of 31 wheelchairs are damaged, and most domestic flights still lack accessible bathrooms. The U.S. is the world's largest air travel market, it should also be the most accessible. Investing in accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. More accessible air travel means more jobs and a stronger economy. It’s time to move forward, not backward. https://lnkd.in/get_9TuS