Easterseals Community and Disability Services

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data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbar" aria-controls="navbars" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="menu"> <span class="menu_text">Menu</span> <span class="material-icons">menu</span> </button> </div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbar">  <div id="item-968571679" style="display: inline;"> <ul class="navbar-nav m-auto">  <li class="nav-item dropdown megamenu-li services__programs"> <a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="" id="dropdown01" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> Services <span class="material-icons" >arrow_drop_up</span> </a> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu" aria-labelledby="dropdown01"> <div class="menu-container">  <div class="row top_mobile_link"> <div class="col-sm-12"> <a href="">Services</a> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-7 intro__text"> <p>Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access by enriching education, enhancing health, expanding employment, and elevating community.</p> <p>We do this through life-changing <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/">services</a> and on-the-ground supports for children and adults with disabilities, families, and local communities across the country.</p> </div> <div class="helpful__topics m-auto col-lg-3"> <h2>Helpful Topics</h2> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/autism-services/">Autism</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/employment-training/">Employment & Job Training</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-disability/mental-health-resources.html">Mental Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/medical-rehabilitation/">Therapy & Rehabilitative Care</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/transportation.html">Transportation</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-12"> <h2 class="show__me__title">Show Me Services For</h2> </div> </div> <div class="row show__me__links"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul class="children-and-families"> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/childrens-services/">Children & Families</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/childrens-services/early-intervention-1.html">Early Intervention</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/childrens-services/high-quality-child-care.html">Inclusive Child Care</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/childrens-services/early-childhood-education.html">Early Childhood Education</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/camping-recreation/">Camp & Recreation</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/family-support-and-resources.html">Family Support & Resources</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul class="adults"> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/adult-services/">Adults</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/employment-training/">Employment & Job Training</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/adult-services/services-for-younger-adults.html">Youth & Transition</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/senior-services/in-home-services.html">In-Home Care</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/adult-services/adult-day-services.html">Adult Day Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/camping-recreation/">Camp & Recreation</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/transportation.html">Transportation</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul class="seniors"> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/senior-services/">Seniors</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/employment-training/senior-community-service-employment-program-scsep.html">Employment for Seniors</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/senior-services/in-home-services.html">In-Home Care</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/adult-services/adult-day-services.html">Adult Day Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/medical-rehabilitation/">Therapy & Rehabilitative Care</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/transportation.html">Transportation</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul class="veterans"> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/military-veterans/">Veterans</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="caregivers"> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/for-caregivers/">Caregivers</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/for-caregivers/respite-care.html">Respite Services</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li>  <li class="nav-item dropdown megamenu-li support__education"> <a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="" id="dropdown02" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> Support & Education <span class="material-icons" >arrow_drop_up</span> </a> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu" aria-labelledby="dropdown02"> <div class="menu-container">  <div class="row top_mobile_link"> <div class="col-sm-12"> <a href="">Support & Education</a> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-7 intro__text"> <p>Through a variety of resources, Easterseals provides information and guidance about how to navigate changing needs within our communities.</p> <p>Visit <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/">Support & Education</a> to receive support for a variety of topics that may be important to you.</p> </div> <div class="helpful__resources m-auto col-lg-3"> <h2>Helpful Resources</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.easterseals.com/get-involved/lgbtq.html">LGBTQ+ Identities & Disability</a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.easterseals.com/programs-and-services/transportation.html">Transportation</a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/research-and-studies.html">Research and Studies</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-12"> <h2 class="show__me__title">Show Me Resources About</h2> </div> </div> <div class="row show__me__links"> <div class="col-lg-4"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-autism/">Living with Autism</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-autism/autism-signs-and-symptoms.html">Symptoms & Signs of Autism</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-autism/autism-resources.html">Autism Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-autism/autism-after-age-21.html">Autism After Age 21</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-autism/could-my-child-have-autism.html">Could My Child Have Autism?</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-4"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-disability/">Living with Disability</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/living-with-disability/webinar-freddie-mac-financial-housing-guidance.html">Financial Capability & Homeownership</a> </li> <li> <a 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Despite this, there are still many who view those with mental health disabilities as broken. They might also think that we are wrong in the way that we look at the world and at ourselves. In truth, there are undeniably downsides to some kinds of mental illness, but these downsides do not make us any less or worse than other people, and it does not mean that we are inherently wrong. We are just different, and our differences should be celebrated and embraced.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, this is complicated by the relationship between mental illness and neurodivergence. Neurodivergence refers to people who have different ways of looking at the world because of a neurological condition. Many neurodivergent people do not see their disability to be mental illness, though the conditions that cause neurodivergence have been </span><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3757918/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">considered to be mental illnesses in the past</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Examples of neurodivergent conditions include autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Neurodivergent activists as well many other disabled people are very clear that they do not need to be cured, but rather they see their disability as an integral part of their identity. Attempting to remove this part of a person would be like trying to cure someone of being gay, something unconscionable to any compassionate person, but with a deeply tragic history of being attempted. There is no denying, though, that having ADHD or a learning disability makes it hard to navigate society, but this difficulty can be mediated in many ways, through accommodations, medication, and services, but most importantly with compassion, care, and understanding from those in the lives of the neurodivergent person.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with mental illnesses, however, tend to have a more complicated relationship with their disability than neurodivergent people. Indeed, some mental illnesses are inherently temporary, like a case of major depression following a traumatic event. Some come and go, cycling in and out of the person’s life, like Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some cause great difficulty in interacting with others, like social anxiety. And </span><a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/disability-isnt-scary-ableism-is-representation-in-horror/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">some are greatly villainized</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to such an extreme that having them is seen as being “evil,” like narcissism or borderline personality disorder.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My most prominent mental illness, chronic depression, is something that I do struggle against. It makes it harder for me to do the things that I need to do, and it makes me find less joy in the things that I want to do. It reduces my capability to act in the world, and, when combined with my other mental illnesses, makes it very difficult for me to form and maintain strong interpersonal relationships. But, this is why I have therapy and medication to help mediate the worst symptoms of my depression.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Indeed, most mental illnesses can be made more manageable with therapy, medication, and other forms of care. Even with these aids, though, most mental illnesses cannot be cured, cannot be completely removed. Even if I could be cured completely, though, </span><a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/disability-pride-queer-pride-and-the-medical-model/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I would not want it</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have talked many times about how my depression has helped to shape my worldview, helped me to think about where I stand in society, and what society truly means, in ways that someone without depression simply could not. A concept called </span><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3565123/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">depressive realism</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> suggests that people without depression inherently have a slightly higher view of themselves than is strictly accurate. This slight self-bias is almost certainly a healthy thing, necessary in a world that can be so casually cruel to those who are not able to stand up for themselves.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So while my perspective may hurt me, it does help me see the world slightly more clearly, forming a foundation that I have expanded upon as I’ve continued to live with my depression. The treatment I receive for my depression also helps me from sliding too far in the other direction with my views, helping me to achieve a balance that is only possible through the intersection of my mental illness and my continued existence within society.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have only my lived experience with mental illness to rely on in terms of finding the strength in my thinking, but I can see how a person with borderline personality disorder could use their self-perspective to be excellent promoters of themselves and the things they care about. Well-crafted coping mechanisms for social anxiety, created with the aid of therapy, can help a person to create space in a healthy way in conversations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is also the case for neurodivergent people, though neurodivergent people have become increasingly vocal at advocating for their value and the value of their perspective in society. Mentally ill people can follow the lead of neurodivergent activists in becoming prominent advocates for themselves, and for the proper care for their disabilities. Socially ostracizing narcissists will not help them to better balance the needs of others. Sticking schizophrenic people in mental institutions where they cannot be seen will not help them to find the inner understanding they may need. Telling depressed people to be happier will only make us more miserable.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But despite the difficulties that come with mental illnesses, we are not broken. We are not monsters, we are not anything other than human. Unfortunately, there are those in our culture that seek to demonize all people with mental illnesses, to make us seem dangerous and a threat to the well-being of an ordered society. They see the ways that we struggle against the constraints of the day-to-day, of the ways that we are constantly let down by systems of oppression, and these people see the problem as us.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But we aren’t the problem. We are human, with all the imperfections and grace that comes with our species. We aren’t a threat, we aren’t a burden. We’re just different, and our different experiences and perspectives add to the complexity and beauty of our society.</span></p> <p><em>Mids Meinberg is a writer and <a href="https://goat-song-publishing.itch.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">game designer</a> working out of New Jersey. They have an AA in Creative Writing from Brookdale Community College.</em></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-post card left"> <img class="card-img-left" src="" alt="image" /> <div class="card-body"> <a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/a-how-to-guide-to-inclusive-language-and-why-it-matters/" class="card-link">A How-To Guide to Inclusive Language, and Why It Matters</a> <p class="card-subtitle">November 14, 2024</p> <p class="card-text">By Mids Meinberg Language inherently has a history; it’s derived from the society in which it was de…</p> <div class="card-text content-encoded" style="display:none"><p><strong><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-15026 alignright" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/iStock-1739271954-1024x762.jpg" alt="Speech Bubbles" width="348" height="259" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/iStock-1739271954-1024x762.jpg 1024w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/iStock-1739271954-300x223.jpg 300w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/iStock-1739271954-768x571.jpg 768w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/iStock-1739271954.jpg 1187w" sizes="(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px" />By Mids Meinberg</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Language inherently has a history; it’s derived from the society in which it was derived, but the meanings of words subtly change as they are filtered through contemporary culture. While the denotation of words (their dictionary definition) rarely changes, the connotation (the extra cultural meaning of a word) changes much more frequently. With more and more people gaining access to the telecommunication networks of the world via the internet, more people are able to put their input into the language we use and the meanings behind them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In many cases, this means pointing out words that, while once commonplace, carry with them negative connotations, particularly with regard to marginalized groups. While I am disabled and queer, this does not give me universal access to the feelings of all marginalized people. In particular, I cannot speak in specifics about the role of inclusive language when it comes to people of color. Hopefully the general guidance provided here will provide a foundation for further learning about those specifics.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When talking about inclusive language, it is important to understand why people should not use words that are rooted in bigoted notions. The idea from Orwell’s </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">1984</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that language restricts our thoughts is perhaps hyperbolic, but it is true that the way people speak about things reflects the way that we think about them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, the word “lame” is very often used to refer to anything boring or underwhelming. However, it literally refers to a difficulty with walking deriving from injury or disability to the foot or leg. When “lame” is used in the connotative sense to mean these negative things, it can be easy to start thinking about people with disabilities affecting their movement as boring.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, this is not a guaranteed thing to happen. Most people can hold these two definitions separate in their minds. In fact, this process more frequently happens in reverse, where people begin to develop negative connotations to groups of people and then apply those feelings to the words used to describe those people. With disabled people, a lot of these words had their negative connotations assigned a long time ago to the point that it can be hard to know what words exactly have origins in bigotry.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In other cases, the linguistic shift has happened in recent memory. For example, the word “special” was used to refer to developmentally disabled people in an attempt to deflect from the heated connotations associated with the previous word used to describe them, the r-slur. Unfortunately, since society still at large holds extremely negative views regarding developmentally disabled people, using “special” to refer to a person rather quickly came to have the same sort of connotation as the r-slur.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every term used to refer to queer people, including now widely accepted words like queer and gay but also less widely reclaimed slurs, has had a negative connotation at some point or another. “Gay” came to have connotations similar to “lame” while “queer” had a meaning that was built entirely upon alienating the target of the term, focusing on their role as an Other. Over time, efforts have been made to reclaim the use of these words, by separating them from their negative connotations and using them more specifically. Queer, for instance, has been reclaimed in large part to its use in academia, with queer studies taking on an important role in normalizing queer people. Gay, in contrast, has become reclaimed by informal conversations on the internet, with queer people of all kinds rallying behind it as a term they can embrace as part of their identity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This points to the second major reason to use inclusive language: it helps the speaker to avoid looking like a bigot. We all screw up and use non-inclusive language in our informal speech; non-inclusive language is the default and we have to work to actively deprogram our minds from its usage, which is always going to be a work in progress. In formal speech or even when addressing a group of coworkers in an email, however, it’s important to be more diligent about inclusive language. If a set of prepared remarks contains non-inclusive language, it communicates to the listeners that the speaker does not care about the affected marginalized group.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is a clear distinction here between slurs and non-inclusive language, however. Slurs should never be used, regardless of the context, though this is much easier thanks to the inherent hatred involved in a slur. As long as one does not hold active hatred towards the target of a slur, then the power of the word will be evident before it is said, allowing for its use to be prevented.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another difference is that it is possible to use words that might be non-inclusive in contexts where their usage is in fact inclusive. For example, using the word “blind” to refer to someone being ignorant is non-inclusive, but using it to refer to someone who literally cannot see is fine. Indeed, the precise words for disabilities when used specifically to those disabilities is almost always a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Disability is not a slur and embracing being disabled as an identity helps to grant strength to disabled people, both in the general and with their specific disabilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are some words, however, that are more general in their relationship to disability and thus should not be used by non-disabled people, like “crip” or “gimp.” These words still hold a larger amount of power in them, largely in how they had been weaponized against disabled people in the past. However, some disabled people have taken these words and harnessed their power, using them as a vibrant and striking form of self-identification. Even though these words have been used to hurt in the past, that history makes them a powerful symbol of unity and the changing tides of history when used by disabled people.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ultimately, the key to understanding inclusive language is understanding that language has power, it has meaning beyond what you can find in the dictionary. By using language well and with understanding of the people who are most likely to be affected by it, you can use that power to bridge gaps rather than widen them.</span></p> <p><strong>In summary:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Language subtly affects how we think about the world.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Language is shaped by society’s perception.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid using words in a way that assigns negative connotations to marginalized groups.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using words literally is usually fine.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Slurs should never be used by anyone outside of the targeted group.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Some examples:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t use blind to mean ignorant</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t use deaf to mean callous</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t use gay to mean bad</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t use lame to mean boring</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use non-verbal instead of dumb or mute</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use little people to describe people with dwarfism</span></li> </ul> <p><em>Mids Meinberg is a writer and <a href="https://goat-song-publishing.itch.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">game designer</a> working out of New Jersey. They have an AA in Creative Writing from Brookdale Community College.</em></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-post card left"> <img class="card-img-left" src="" alt="image" /> <div class="card-body"> <a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/empowering-inclusion-easterseals-colorados-support-for-disabled-individuals-in-the-workforce/" class="card-link">Empowering Inclusion: Easterseals Colorado’s Support for Disabled Individuals in the Workforce</a> <p class="card-subtitle">November 12, 2024</p> <p class="card-text">By Grant Stoner Last month, disabled individuals celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness…</p> <div class="card-text content-encoded" style="display:none"><p><strong>By Grant Stoner</strong></p> <div id="attachment_15020" style="width: 291px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15020" class=" wp-image-15020" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HD-MS-768x1024.jpg" alt="Henry and his client side by side" width="281" height="375" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HD-MS-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HD-MS-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HD-MS-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HD-MS.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 281px) 100vw, 281px" /><p id="caption-attachment-15020" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Henry (left) and an employment participant. Photo provided by Easterseals Colorado</em></p></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last month, disabled individuals celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to raise awareness about the importance of workplace acceptance for disabled individuals. From</span> <a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/advice-for-freelance-writers-from-an-award-winning-disabled-games-journalist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">freelancing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to full-time work, every person deserves equal access to a welcoming and safe work environment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For disabled people, entering the workforce can be a daunting task. Self-advocating for necessary accommodations, not exceeding income limits for those on state or federal services, and even finding jobs that offer remote opportunities are just some of the barriers that are regularly encountered. Employment Specialist Henry DeAngelis of</span> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/co/about-us/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Easterseals Colorado</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> understands the challenges that disabled people face, especially as many seek employment for the first time. Speaking with our Easterseals blog, DeAngelis explores the work he performs at Easterseals Colorado, and even shares some success stories from some of his clients.</span></p> <p><strong>The Right to Work</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Seeking employment is intrinsic to both nondisabled and disabled people. Working a job is necessary to make a living, provide meaningful community connections, and even help to learn new skills for future opportunities. And for DeAngelis, assisting the disabled people of Colorado is important to normalizing and embracing disabled individuals and accessibility within jobs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My main job is to be the liaison between the clients and the employer,” DeAngelis said. “So, making sure that that relationship is going smoothly, and mainly my job is to help work through any issues that arise. Whether this is as simple as making sure the client knows what their schedule is, and when they are expected to show up and where, whether it may be helping them request a day off or vacation time, or sometimes larger issues if a task isn’t done right.”</span></p> <div id="attachment_15023" style="width: 306px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15023" class=" wp-image-15023" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6-771x1024.jpeg" alt="Employee at a shoe store smiling " width="296" height="393" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6-771x1024.jpeg 771w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6-226x300.jpeg 226w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6-768x1020.jpeg 768w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6-1156x1536.jpeg 1156w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6-1542x2048.jpeg 1542w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/processed-3632276F-4BC4-4F36-9122-C421248CF6F6.jpeg 1822w" sizes="(max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px" /><p id="caption-attachment-15023" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Photo provided by Easterseals Colorado.</em></p></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond these goals, DeAngelis also assists disabled individuals in adapting to new work tasks or routines as their employer changes over time. Part of this involves teaching digital literacy, an important tool in an ever-evolving digital landscape. According to DeAngelis, statistics indicate that approximately 90% of jobs in the workforce require some form of technological understanding. And for disabled individuals that either lack appropriate digital tools or the knowledge to operate them, DeAngelis and the Easterseals Colorado team provide a safe environment to learn or retrain digital skills.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’ve been developing [the digital literacy training program] for a few years,” he said. “A lot of what people might think of as the basics of being able to clock in and clock out. If there’s any type of training that needs to be done, like logging into websites with the account, clicking through the training, making sure everything goes smoothly.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Digital literacy is especially important for disabled youth. As classrooms adopt digital lessons, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, DeAngelis, through</span> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/co/shared-components/spotlights/featured-resources/program-resources/employment-services/jett.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Job Exploration and Transition Training (JETT)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, teaches disabled children how to operate programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and even helps clients create and understand digital resumes that they can share with prospective employers. Thankfully, Easterseals Colorado is not alone with these efforts. DeAngelis explains that there is currently a national partnership with technology company</span><a href="https://www.ibm.com/us-en"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">IBM</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to provide courses to clients that allow them to stay current with their knowledge, while simultaneously providing certificates of completion, thus bolstering resumes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Right now, [IBM] has a big course on AI and just understanding it,” he said. “AI hasn’t fully integrated into work yet, but a lot of companies are experimenting with it, seeing where it might be useful, finding out where it maybe isn’t. It’s something that we must keep our eyes on and see where the trends are going so that we can make sure to help our clients stay caught up.”</span></p> <p><strong>Success Stories</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DeAngelis’ goal is to ensure that clients can successfully enter and stay within the workforce, regardless of their chosen occupation. Not only does each client enjoy their work at their respective jobs, but they also help to normalize disabled people in the workforce. And for DeAngelis, each disabled individual placed within a company or business is a fantastic reward for every party involved.</span></p> <div id="attachment_15022" style="width: 349px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15022" class=" wp-image-15022" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-1024x1024.jpg" alt="A Home Depot employee holding up his 5-year service badge" width="339" height="339" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240814_071252-2048x2048.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px" /><p id="caption-attachment-15022" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Photo provided by Easterseals Colorado.</em></p></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Success stories are the best part of the job,” he said. “That reward of seeing a client be successful, be happy, and obtain their goals, there is no better feeling. It makes me so excited and happy to go to work every day and help clients reach their goals, push toward their goals, and even discover what their goals might be.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DeAngelis notes that one client is ready to transition to a full-time career. Through the help of Easterseals Colorado, and several years of preparing for this moment, the client, as well as his current company, agreed to a full-time position. But each story of success does not end with a full-time job. Rather, DeAngelis’ job is to help disabled individuals embrace their needs and recognize when they require assistance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“One of our clients, for many years, had been working two days a week,” he said. “In the past couple months, I noticed he had a lot of extra strain and stress. I had a conversation with him and his team, and I said, ‘I know how much your job means to you. Walking around the store with you is like walking down a red carpet with all the high-fives from regular customers and coworkers.’ It’s a real point of pride and identity for this client.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The solution was to take the client from two shifts to one. DeAngelis explains that his energy levels returned, he is still able to interact with his community, and remain employed. This story also demonstrates the importance of advocating for accommodations within the workspace. If the client did not recognize this need, they would have experienced burnout, and possibly had to leave their job.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finding a job is already an immense challenge. And for disabled individuals, the numerous barriers that often accompany job searching, and employment overall, can be overwhelming. For DeAngelis and the team at Easterseals Colorado, these barriers can be dismantled to provide fulfilling employment opportunities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In this go, go, go world, where everything needs to be, or seems to be, needing a snap judgment and decision, [we really need to] remember that we’re all human, we’re all doing our best, and we all have something to give back,” he said. “Our clients want to give back.”</span></p> <p><em>Visit the <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/co/">Easterseals Colorado website</a> to learn more about their services. Thank you to Henry DeAngelis for providing an interview.</em></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-post card left"> <img class="card-img-left" src="" alt="image" /> <div class="card-body"> <a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/my-mental-health-and-me-my-journey-to-finding-words-again/" class="card-link">My Mental Health and Me: My Journey to Finding Words Again</a> <p class="card-subtitle">November 4, 2024</p> <p class="card-text">By Keah Brown My journey as a writer began when I was eight years old. I sat on a twin-sized bed in …</p> <div class="card-text content-encoded" style="display:none"><div id="attachment_15015" style="width: 281px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15015" class=" wp-image-15015" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KeahSmilingWall2.png" alt="Keah, a Black woman wearing a white sweater, smiles while standing against a wall." width="271" height="267" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KeahSmilingWall2.png 699w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KeahSmilingWall2-300x296.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 271px) 100vw, 271px" /><p id="caption-attachment-15015" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Photo of Keah by Greyley’s Moon.</em></p></div> <p><strong>By Keah Brown</strong></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">My journey as a writer began when I was eight years old. I sat on a twin-sized bed in my room curled up with a green college-ruled notebook whose cover read, “Keep Out! Property of Keah Brown.” The contents ranged from poetry to songs and short stories — poorly written, I must admit, but necessary for my growth nevertheless. Inside this notebook were hopes and dreams I remain eager to fulfill and see come to fruition. I let every emotion, feeling, and thought I had onto the page. The notebook was half diary, half creativity, and when inspiration struck, there it was under my white antique dresser, the best hiding spot I could think of, waiting for me. My love for the written word came early because my love for books and reading began early. In fact, one of my fondest memories of my childhood was reading the romance novels my aunt took out from the library when she was done reading them. I fell into the worlds of Sidney Sheldon, Nora Roberts, James Patterson, and Jude Deveraux long before I understood the entirety of what I was reading. In their worlds, the adventures were my respite, the chance to focus on the worries, realities, and experiences of others while pretending my own did not exist. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">I was an anxious child, in secret of course, always worrying about which person I loved, I would lose. I began spending my nights pleading with the universe to keep them safe, happy, and alive. On top of the worry surrounding losing my loved ones, I began to worry about what I believed was my inherent role as a burden to my family and friends because of my cerebral palsy. Disabled people are taught by society at large that our needs, however wide-ranging they might be, are enough to warrant a resentment that can lead to mistreatment and sometimes, in most horrific cases, death. So I did my best to make myself small. At night, I begged God to make me “normal” and, despite the unyielding love from my family and friends, I began to hate myself and resent that my prayers for normalcy were going unanswered. I was an anxious child who became an anxious adult who glommed onto the idea that my body made me unlovable — and ran with it. My first published pieces as a writer basked in my resentment and discomfort for my body, waxing poetic about how hard life was as a disabled person. I started therapy not long after (thank God) and realized what a disservice I had done to and for myself and the community. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Alongside therapy and saying four things that I like about myself, I began to love myself and my life changed. I started believing more was possible for me and listening when my loved ones told me that I was not a burden, and anyone who treated me as such was not worth my time or energy. </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><strong>After a viral hashtag and three books, I find myself unable to create</strong>. As a person who learned to traffic in hope and who has always had a special connection with the written word, the fact that I am unable to get past the ideas stage is more than disheartening. There is nothing like seeing the thing that you have created in stores and knowing it will find a home with readers who need it. I miss that. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <div id="attachment_15016" style="width: 330px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15016" class=" wp-image-15016" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KeahSmilingWall.jpg" alt="Keah smiling, leaning against a wall" width="320" height="480" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KeahSmilingWall.jpg 667w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KeahSmilingWall-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><p id="caption-attachment-15016" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Photo of Keah by Greyley’s Moon.</em></p></div> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The truth is, I don’t know who I am without writing and I don’t want to. When someone reaches a level of visibility that three published books provide, despite the fact that they aren’t award-winning, I think there is a consensus that life is great, and my issues are few and far between. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I am well aware that living through an ongoing pandemic, climate change, and a world on fire — personally and culturally — has something to do with it, but now, when I look at a blank document, my anxiety spikes instead of the usual rush of adrenaline. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">At the tail end of last year, after I was done promoting the publication of </span><i><span data-contrast="auto">The Secret Summer Promise</span></i><span data-contrast="auto">, my third book, I spent my days in bed crying and unable to get up. In the off chance that I did find my way back to my laptop, I spent it letting tears line my keyboard in place of words. I was withering away. The once vibrant, eager, boisterous version of me was now the depressed, exhausted, lonely reality of me. After years of pretending to be fine and trying to push through, I knew then, after months of trying to make a middle-grade novel work, that I needed more help than monthly therapy sessions could provide. With shaking hands and a tear-riddled voice, I went to my primary care physician and told her I needed to be put on depression and anxiety meds. They were not the easy fix I was hoping for. At almost eleven months into the year, I’ve adjusted the brand name and milligram of my med a few times. I just now feel like I can function and have started dipping my toes into writing poetry again. I don’t believe that everything is better now, but I trust myself enough to be honest about what I need so that I can show up long enough to attempt to create another long piece of work. Writing books has been my dream since I was eight years old. My name has been on a book spine three times, and my hope is to write one million more books across genre and about messy, complicated, but lovable characters who are just trying to figure themselves out and where they belong in the world. In order to do that, though, I have to take care of myself and my wellbeing so that I can show up for the stories I have always been so eager to tell. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><em>Keah Brown is a writer, journalist, and disability rights advocate known for her impactful work on the intersection of disability, race, and self-love. As the creator of the viral hashtag #DisabledAndCute, Brown promotes body positivity and self-acceptance for disabled people. Her <a href="https://keahbrown.com/books/">works include </a></em>The Pretty One<em>,</em> The Secret Summer Promise<em>, and </em>Sam’s Super Seats<em>.</em></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-post card left"> <img class="card-img-left" src="" alt="image" /> <div class="card-body"> <a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/advice-for-freelance-writers-from-an-award-winning-disabled-games-journalist/" class="card-link">Advice for Freelance Writers From an Award-Winning Disabled Games Journalist</a> <p class="card-subtitle">October 31, 2024</p> <p class="card-text">By Grant Stoner October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to high…</p> <div class="card-text content-encoded" style="display:none"><p><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-14994 aligncenter" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Easterseals-–-NDEAM-Graphics-648-x-261-px.png" alt="Employment Inclusion with Easterseals: Bridging Talent and Opportunity. Illustration of people with different disabilities" width="648" height="261" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Easterseals-–-NDEAM-Graphics-648-x-261-px.png 648w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Easterseals-–-NDEAM-Graphics-648-x-261-px-300x121.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" />By Grant Stoner</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">October marks</span> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam#:~:text=Observed%20each%20October%2C%20during%20National,every%20month%20of%20every%20year."><span style="font-weight: 400;">National Disability Employment Awareness Month</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (NDEAM), a time to highlight the importance of equal opportunities within the workforce for disabled individuals. This year’s theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” reinforces the narrative that everybody is deserving of a well-paying job. And for disabled Americans still fighting for issues like marriage equality, financial security, and accessible spaces, it’s a step in the right direction for the government to acknowledge this aspect of the disabled experience.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For me, NDEAM allows me to reflect on my career as an accessibility reporter in the gaming industry. While I have yet to acquire a full-time job, my work as a freelancer has offered me numerous opportunities to earn money for things like savings, important life events, and even fun treats for friends and family. With my five years of experience, I wanted to share some tips for those interested in becoming a gaming journalist, more specifically, a disabled gaming journalist.</span></p> <div id="attachment_14849" style="width: 217px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14849" class="wp-image-14849" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GrantAndGirlfriend-683x1024.jpg" alt="Grant, using his wheelchair, is smiling next to his girlfriend who leans into him. They are in front of a tree with lights" width="207" height="311" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GrantAndGirlfriend-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GrantAndGirlfriend-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GrantAndGirlfriend-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GrantAndGirlfriend-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GrantAndGirlfriend.jpg 1366w" sizes="(max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px" /><p id="caption-attachment-14849" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Grant and his girlfriend</em></p></div> <p><strong>Write, Write, and Write</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This may seem obvious, but to be a journalist, you need to write. I’ve been professionally writing since 2019, publishing numerous reviews, developer interviews, community reports, and even opinion pieces on the state of accessibility in the gaming industry. But long before I had bylines at publications like</span> <a href="https://www.ign.com/person/Hotwheels94"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IGN</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span> <a href="https://www.wired.com/author/grant-stoner/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WIRED</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and</span> <a href="https://blog.easterseals.com/?s=Grant+Stoner&go.x=26&go.y=29"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Easterseals</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, I began learning how to convey my thoughts into cohesive sentences at my university’s school newspaper.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since 2015, I’ve written with the goal of becoming a games journalist. While I initially had no intention of exploring accessibility and the disabled perspective with my stories, I always wanted to see my name on websites and within magazines that I grew up reading. And when I first started, I was admittedly terrible. My stories lacked emotion, instead, being nothing more than a checklist of a game’s features followed by a quick, ultimately meaningless sentence of whether I liked a title. I was never going to impress editors with my mediocrity. But with each review, each feature within the school newspaper, each draft returned by my editors, I became more confident in myself as a writer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite graduating with a degree in Multiplatform Journalism, I will be the first to admit that I didn’t learn how to become a writer by attending college courses. Instead, my knowledge came directly from trial and error, as well as the guidance of my editors. And since higher education can be incredibly expensive and pose numerous barriers for disabled individuals, I’m here to tell you that you don’t </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">need</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to have a degree to begin freelancing. You just need to prove to editors that you know how to write.</span></p> <p><strong>The Art of the Pitch</strong></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15012" src="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Seamless pattern with joysticks, gamepads seamless pattern, console gaming background, vector" width="346" height="346" srcset="https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://blog.easterseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iStock-1674173797.jpg 1732w" sizes="(max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before any good article comes to life, they all start as an idea. When writing independently, you don’t need the approval of others to begin developing your work. However, when freelancing, each article needs to capture the attention of whatever publication is worthy of your story. For example, with this very piece, I needed to convey to my editor – Hi, Erin! – that Easterseals’ readers would be interested in a feature exploring tips and tricks on how to freelance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need to provide samples for editors of your work. Show them why you are the best person to write the specific piece. If I’m pitching a story that deals directly with accessible innovations at studios like PlayStation, I’m going to demonstrate my knowledge on the subject through previous stories. And if you lack an extensive portfolio, utilizing your lived experience, particularly as a disabled individual, is just as important as having written examples.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marginalized stories are best told by marginalized people. While it is possible for publications to write about disability and accessibility without hiring a disabled freelancer, you can prove to editors that your voice can provide nuance that others may lack. Did a company release a new piece of hardware, and do you have a physical disability? You can use this information to prove to editors that your years of using accessible devices makes you the right person for the job. Portfolios are important, but so is intrinsically understanding how to be disabled in the gaming industry.</span></p> <p><strong>Rejection Happens</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When writing about subjects like accessibility and the disabled perspective, many publications often struggle to see the newsworthiness of these topics. Despite</span> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">approximately 25% of the population living with some form of a disability</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the nature of stories told about us continues to be framed as inspirational or pitiful. We still struggle to be viewed as confident and independent individuals, often infantilized for the enjoyment of others. And these preconceived notions and stereotypes of disabled people continue to plague the appeal of stories that actively push back against these beliefs. Unfortunately, this consistent uphill battle means publications may deny pitches.</span></p> <p><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/10/05/pokemon-lets-go-will-be-the-first-in-the-franchise-i-cant-play"><span style="font-weight: 400;">My first freelance piece was published on October 5, 2018</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Since then, I’ve published dozens of stories across numerous publications. Yet, for every story accepted, dozens have been rejected. And each reason can vary. From a lack of budgets to timeliness, and even an inability for editors to understand the importance of why certain stories need to be told means that I’m very familiar with rejection. While it’s important to acknowledge that rejection stings, it’s equally important to remember that one “no” does not make you a bad writer. As cliché as it sounds, the best piece of advice I can give is to keep pitching. Sometimes stories aren’t meant to be published, and sometimes it’s possible to save an idea for later, but a rejection is not a reflection of you as a writer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve done since I entered the professional space in 2019. And for this NDEAM, I’m incredibly thankful that I can continue doing this job I so dearly love. Yet, it’s important to remind others that disabled individuals belong in each space, not just the gaming industry. As we continue to normalize our voices across publications, we deserve a place within the workforce. As accessibility continues to evolve, disabled people need to be front and center to discuss these innovations.</span></p> <p><em>Grant Stoner is a disabled journalist covering accessibility and the disabled perspective in the gaming industry. When not writing, he is usually screaming about Pokémon or his cat, Goomba, on <a title="Original URL: https://twitter.com/Super_Crip1994. Click or tap if you trust this link." href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FSuper_Crip1994&data=05%7C02%7Cehawley%40easterseals.com%7Cf4d5fb2426c84a9260b108dc526ec04f%7C68120311c1404ebaa6241fef901bc47f%7C0%7C0%7C638475883002188529%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NS%2BPxjEPrO6jLcxaBDdRkBZqxheSQ9yneMfZ5F34cIc%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="0">social media</a>.</em></p></div> </div> </div> <script> $('.blog-post .card-text.content-encoded img').each(function () { var arr = $(this).map(function () { if (this.src.indexOf('?') > -1) { return this.src + '&w=170'; } else { return this.src + '?w=170'; } }).get(); $(this).parentsUntil('.blog-post').parent().find('img').prop('src', arr[0]); }); $('img.card-img-left').filter(function () { return !$(this).prop('src').match(/\.(gif|jpg|png)/); }).remove(); $('div.card-text.content-encoded').remove(); </script> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <div class="btn-wrap text-center"> <a class="btn btn-primary more-posts" href="#">Show More Posts</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section>  <section class="hope white"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <h2 class="section-heading text-center">Stories of Impact</h2> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-12">  <div class="hope-slider"> <div class="card"> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/about-us/leadership/auburn-smith.html" class="card-link"> <img class="card-img-top" src="https://www.easterseals.com/news-and-stories/stories-of-success/spotlights/auburn-smith.jpg" alt="Auburn Smith" /> </a> <div class="card-body"> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/about-us/leadership/auburn-smith.html" class="card-link">A "One-of-a-Kind Kid"</a> <p class="card-text">Born with Spina Bifida and clubfoot, Auburn Smith became a nationally-ranked tennis player and aspiring musician. </p> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <a href="http://www.easterseals.com/news-and-stories/stories-of-success/spotlights/client-profile-marti.html" class="card-link"> <img class="card-img-top" src="https://www.easterseals.com/news-and-stories/stories-of-success/spotlights/images/marti-clark.png" alt="A young woman smiling at the camera" /> </a> <div class="card-body"> <a href="http://www.easterseals.com/news-and-stories/stories-of-success/spotlights/client-profile-marti.html" class="card-link">A “can-do” spirit</a> <p class="card-text">Marti Clark has a history of exceeding people’s expectations. 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Since then, Abby has been making amazing social strides, even leading a campaign to stop bullying.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <div class="btn-wrap text-center"> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.easterseals.com/news-and-stories/stories-of-success/">Read More Stories</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section>  <section class="spotlight bk_img"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <h2 class="section-heading text-center">News and Programs</h2> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="card"> <img class="card-img-top" src="https://www.easterseals.com/shared-components/image-library/features-and-spotlights/featured-images/on-board.png" alt="On Board" /> <div class="card-body"> <h4 class="card-title">On Board with Transparent Leadership Podcast</h4> <p class="card-text">On Board with Transparent Leadership features examples and practical advice from CEOs and leaders from some of the country's top organizations. Easterseals CEO and President Kendra Davenport and guests explore aspects of transparent leadership that can impact communication, trust-building, and fostering a culture of openness and accountability.</p> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/news-and-stories/podcasts/on-board/" class="card-link">Read More</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="card"> <img class="card-img-top" src="https://www.easterseals.com/shared-components/image-library/features-and-spotlights/page-spotlights/jet-speed.png" alt="An airplane" /> <div class="card-body"> <h4 class="card-title">Jet Speed for Accessible Air Travel</h4> <p class="card-text">Major airlines in the United States break or destroy 31 wheelchairs every single day. That's why we launched a national public service announcement campaign about the issue. Join Easterseals in helping make sure planes connect everyone to family and friends, to opportunity, and to possibilities.</p> <a href="https://www.easterseals.com/get-involved/advocacy/jet-speed-on-accessible-air-travel.html" class="card-link">Read More</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="card"> <img class="card-img-top" src="https://www.easterseals.com/shared-components/image-library/features-and-spotlights/featured-images/es-gaming.png" alt="ES Gaming" /> <div class="card-body"> <h4 class="card-title">It's Time to Play!</h4> <p class="card-text">ES Gaming exists to deliver a more inclusive space in the ever-evolving video gaming industry. It’s all about creating a new standard for equity, inclusion, and access among all disabled gamers, and amplifying disabled voices and accessible innovations. Learn more about how you can get involved!</p> <a href="https://esgaming.gg/" class="card-link">Read More</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section>  <section class="give blue"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <p class="section-heading text-center">When you make a donation to Easterseals, you help ensure that children and adults with disabilities nationwide have local access to essential services that enhance their quality of life through healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.</p> <div id="item-929528332" style="display: inline;"> <h1>Donate Widget - Home Page</h1>   <script> // Defaults if (typeof donateWidgetForm === 'undefined') { var donateWidgetForm = { 'heading': 'Ways to Give', 'message': ' ', 'buttonText': 'Donate', 'monthlyText': 'I\'d like to make this a monthly gift.', 'formId': '17302', 'selected': '36024', 'ids': [36021, 36024, 36023, 36019, 36018], 'amounts': [30, 55, 110, 250], 'otherAmount': '', 'otherAmountParsed': 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btn-primary">Join Today</a> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div id="templatelist-929486115" style="display: inline;"> <style>.affiliate { display: none; }</style> <span class="affiliate">MNDR|||Goodwill-Easterseals Minnesota|||553 Fairview North||||||St. Paul|||MN|||55104|||https://www.goodwilleasterseals.org|||https://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/contact-us|||(651)379-5800|||</span> <span class="affiliate">OHWC|||Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley|||660 South Main Street||||||Dayton|||OH|||45402|||https://gesmv.org|||https://gesmv.org/about-us/contact-us/|||(937)461-4800|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NRMM|||Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain|||425 1st Avenue North||||||Great Falls|||MT|||59401-2507|||https://www.esgw.org|||https://www.esgw.org/contact-us/|||(406)761-3680|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NRMW|||Easterseals Wyoming|||991 Joe Street||||||Sheridan|||WY|||82801-1363|||https://www.esgw.org/easterseals-wyoming/|||https://www.esgw.org/easterseals-wyoming/|||(307) 672-2816|||</span> <span class="affiliate">WIMA|||Easterseals Wisconsin|||8001 Excelsior Drive|||Suite 200|||Madison|||WI|||53717|||https://www.eastersealswisconsin.com|||https://www.eastersealswisconsin.com/contact-us/|||(608)277-8288|||</span> <span class="affiliate">PAWS|||Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania|||Six Parkway Center, Suite 150|||875 Greentree Road|||Pittsburgh|||PA|||15220|||http://www.eastersealswcpenna.org|||https://www.easterseals.com/wcpenna/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(412)281-7244|||</span> <span class="affiliate">WVWH|||Easterseals West Virginia|||1305 National Road||||||Wheeling|||WV|||26003-5780|||http://wv.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/wv/about-us/contact-us/|||(304)242-1390|||</span> <span class="affiliate">KYWS|||Easterseals West Kentucky|||1908 N. 14th St.||||||Paducah|||KY|||42001|||http://eswky.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/westkentucky/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(270)443-1200|||</span> <span class="affiliate">GAWS|||Easterseals West Georgia|||2515 Double Churches Road||||||Columbus|||GA|||31909|||https://www.easterseals.com/westgeorgia/|||https://www.easterseals.com/westgeorgia/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(706)660-1144|||</span> <span class="affiliate">WADR|||Easterseals Washington|||200 West Mercer St.|||Ste. 210E|||Seattle|||WA|||98119|||http://wa.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/washington/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(206)281-5700|||</span> <span class="affiliate">TNDR|||Easterseals Tennessee|||500 Wilson Pike Circle|||Suite 228|||Brentwood|||TN|||37027|||https://www.easterseals.com/tennessee/|||https://www.easterseals.com/tennessee/about-us/contact-us/|||(615)292-6640|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CASU|||Easterseals Superior California|||9812 Old Winery Place - Suite 21||||||Sacramento|||CA|||95827|||http://www.myeasterseals.org|||https://www.easterseals.com/superior-ca/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(916)485-6711|||</span> <span class="affiliate">AZPH|||Easterseals Southwest Human Development|||2850 North 24th Street||||||Phoenix|||AZ|||85008|||https://www.swhd.org/|||https://www.swhd.org/contact-us/|||(602)266-5976|||</span> <span class="affiliate">FLSW|||Easterseals Southwest Florida|||350 Braden Avenue||||||Sarasota|||FL|||34243-2096|||https://easterseals-swfl.org|||https://easterseals-swfl.org/contact-us/|||(941)355-7637|||</span> <span class="affiliate">GASO|||Easterseals Southern Georgia|||1906 Palmyra Road||||||Albany|||GA|||31701-1598|||https://www.easterseals.com/southerngeorgia/|||https://www.easterseals.com/southerngeorgia/about-us/contact-us/|||(229)439-7061|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CALA|||Easterseals Southern California|||1063 McGaw Avenue|||Suite 100|||Irvine|||CA|||92614|||http://southerncal.easterseals.com|||http://es.easterseals.com/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=10882|||(714)834-1111|||</span> <span class="affiliate">PASE|||Easterseals Southeastern Pennsylvania|||3975 Conshohocken Avenue||||||Philadelphia|||PA|||19131-5484|||https://www.easterseals.com/sepa/|||https://www.easterseals.com/sepa/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(215)879-1000|||</span> <span class="affiliate">WISE|||Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin|||6737 W Washington St|||Suite 4205|||West Allis|||WI|||53214|||http://wi-se.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/wi-se/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(414)449-4444|||</span> <span class="affiliate">FLDA|||Easterseals South Florida|||1475 NW 14th Avenue||||||Miami|||FL|||33125|||http://southflorida.easterseals.com|||http://es.easterseals.com/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=10184|||(305) 325-0470|||</span> <span class="affiliate">SCDR|||Easterseals South Carolina|||PO Box 5715||||||Columbia|||SC|||29250|||http://sc.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/southcarolina/about-us/contact-us/|||(803) 466-4089|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CTWA|||Easterseals Serving Greater Waterbury, Central and Northwest Connecticut|||22 Tompkins Street||||||Waterbury|||CT|||06708-1496|||https://www.easterseals.com/waterburyct/|||https://www.easterseals.com/waterburyct/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(203)754-5141|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ILCH|||Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford|||1939 West 13th Street|||Administrative Services|||Chicago|||IL|||60608-1226|||http://chicago.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/chicago/who-we-are/contact-us/|||312.491.4110|||</span> <span class="affiliate">TXCA|||Easterseals Serving Central Texas|||2324 Ridgepoint Dr # F1||||||Austin|||TX|||78754|||https://www.easterseals.com/centraltx/|||https://www.easterseals.com/centraltx/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(512) 615-6800|||</span> <span class="affiliate">TXSA|||Easterseals San Antonio Rehabilitation Center|||2203 Babcock Road||||||San Antonio|||TX|||78229|||https://www.easterseals.com/sanantonio/|||https://www.easterseals.com/sanantonio/who-we-are/contact-us/|||210-614-3911|||</span> <span class="affiliate">TXRG|||Easterseals Rio Grande Valley, Texas|||1217 Houston Street||||||McAllen|||TX|||78501|||https://www.easterseals-rgv.org|||https://www.easterseals.com/rgv/about-us/contact-us/|||956.631.9171|||</span> <span class="affiliate">RIDR|||Easterseals Rhode Island |||150 Main Street||||||Pawtucket|||RI|||02860|||http://easterseals.com/rhodeisland|||https://www.easterseals.com/rhodeisland/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(401)284-1000|||</span> <span class="affiliate">INSW|||Easterseals Rehabilitation Center|||3701 Bellemeade Avenue||||||Evansville|||IN|||47714|||https://www.easterseals.com/in-sw/|||http://es.easterseals.com/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=10197|||(812)479-1411|||</span> <span class="affiliate">OHIN|||Easterseals Redwood|||2901 Gilbert Avenue||||||Cincinnati|||OH|||45206|||https://www.eastersealsredwood.org/|||https://www.eastersealsredwood.org/contact-us/|||(513)281-2316|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NCDR|||Easterseals PORT Health North Carolina & Virginia|||5171 Glenwood Avenue|||Suite 211|||Raleigh|||NC|||27612|||https://eastersealsport.com/|||https://eastersealsport.com/contact-us/|||(800) 662-7119|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ORDR|||Easterseals Oregon|||7300 SW Hunziker Road|||Suite 103|||Portland|||OR|||97223|||http://or.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/oregon/about-us/contact-us/|||(503)228-5108|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CTDR|||Easterseals of Oak Hill |||120 Holcomb St.||||||Hartford|||CT|||06112|||https://www.easterseals.com/oakhill/|||https://www.easterseals.com/oakhill/who-we-are/contact-us/|||860-286-3108|||</span> <span class="affiliate">OHYG|||Easterseals of Northeast Ohio|||299 Edwards Street||||||Youngstown|||OH|||44502-1599|||https://www.easterseals.com/mtc/|||https://www.easterseals.com/mtc/about-us/contact-us/|||(330)743-1168|||</span> <span class="affiliate">GASO|||Easterseals Northwest Florida|||3370 Capital Circle NE, Ste D||||||Tallahassee |||FL|||32308|||https://www.easterseals.com/northwestflorida/|||https://www.easterseals.com/northwestflorida/about-us/contact-us/|||(229)439-7061|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CABY|||Easterseals Northern California|||2730 Shadelands Drive||||||Walnut Creek|||CA|||94598|||https://www.esnorcal.org|||https://www.esnorcal.org/contact-us/|||(925) 266-8400|||</span> <span class="affiliate">FLVF|||Easterseals Northeast Central Florida|||1219 Dunn Ave||||||Daytona Beach|||FL|||32114|||http://www.eastersealsnecfl.org|||https://www.easterseals.com/necfl/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(386) 255-4568|||</span> <span class="affiliate">TXNO|||Easterseals North Texas|||6900 Anderson Blvd|||Suite 104|||Ft. Worth|||TX|||76120|||https://www.easterseals.com/northtexas/|||https://www.easterseals.com/northtexas/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(972) 394-8900|||</span> <span class="affiliate">GANO|||Easterseals North Georgia|||815 Park North Blvd.||||||Clarkston|||GA|||30021|||http://northgeorgia.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/northgeorgia/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(404)943-1070|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NYDR|||Easterseals New York|||633 Third Avenue|||6th Floor|||New York|||NY|||10017|||https://www.easterseals.com/newyork/|||https://www.easterseals.com/newyork/who-we-are/contact-us/||||||</span> <span class="affiliate">NJDR|||Easterseals New Jersey|||241 Forsgate Dr.|||Suite 200|||Jamesburg|||NJ|||08831|||http://nj.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/nj/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(732) 257-6662|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NHDR|||Easterseals New Hampshire|||555 Auburn Street||||||Manchester|||NH|||03103|||https://eastersealsnh.org/|||https://eastersealsnh.org/contact-us/|||(603) 623-8863|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NEDR|||Easterseals Nebraska|||12565 West Center Road|||Suite 100|||Omaha|||NE|||68144|||https://www.easterseals.com/ne|||https://www.easterseals.com/ne/about-us/contact-us/|||800-471-6425 or local 402-462-3031|||</span> <span class="affiliate">MIDR|||Easterseals MORC|||2399 E. Walton Blvd.||||||Auburn Hills|||MI|||48326|||http://mi.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/michigan/who-we-are/contact-us/|||1.800.75.SEALS|||</span> <span class="affiliate">MODR|||Easterseals Midwest|||11933 Westline Industrial Drive||||||St. Louis|||MO|||63146|||https://www.easterseals.com/midwest|||http://es.easterseals.com/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=61210|||(314) 394-7100|||</span> <span class="affiliate">GAMI|||Easterseals Middle Georgia|||604 Kellam Road||||||Dublin|||GA|||31021|||http://middlegeorgia.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/middlega/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(478)275-8850|||</span> <span class="affiliate">MADR|||Easterseals Massachusetts|||18 Chestnut Street|||Suite 200|||Worcester|||MA|||01608|||https://www.easterseals.com/ma/|||https://www.easterseals.com/ma/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(508) 757-2756|||</span> <span class="affiliate">LADR|||Easterseals Louisiana|||935 Gravier Street|||Suite 720|||New Orleans|||LA|||70112|||http://louisiana.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/louisiana/about-us/contact-us/|||(504) 523-7325|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ILJO|||Easterseals Joliet Region|||212 Barney Drive|||Regional Pediatric Center and Corporate Office|||Joliet|||IL|||60435-2830|||https://www.easterseals.com/joliet/|||https://www.easterseals.com/joliet/about-us/contact-us/|||(815)725-2194|||</span> <span class="affiliate">IADR|||Easterseals Iowa|||401 N.E. 66th Avenue||||||Des Moines|||IA|||50313|||https://www.easterseals.com/ia/|||https://www.easterseals.com/ia/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(515)289-1933|||</span> <span class="affiliate">HIDR|||Easterseals Hawaii|||710 Green Street||||||Honolulu|||HI|||96813-2119|||https://www.eastersealshawaii.org/|||https://www.eastersealshawaii.org/contact-us|||(808)536-1015|||</span> <span class="affiliate">TXGH|||Easterseals Greater Houston|||4888 Loop Central Drive|||Suite 200|||Houston|||TX|||77081|||https://eastersealshouston.org|||https://eastersealshouston.org/About/contact.html|||(713)838-9050|||</span> <span class="affiliate">NDDR|||Easterseals Goodwill North Dakota|||301 1st St. NE||||||Mandan|||ND|||58554-3106|||https://www.esgwnd.org|||https://www.esgwnd.org/contactus/|||(701)663-6828|||</span> <span class="affiliate">FLDR|||Easterseals Florida|||2010 Crosby Way||||||Winter Park|||FL|||32792|||http://fl.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/florida/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(407) 629-7881|||</span> <span class="affiliate">PAEA|||Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania|||1501 Lehigh Street, Suite 201||||||Allentown|||PA|||18103|||https://www.easterseals.com/esep/|||https://www.easterseals.com/esep/about-us/contact-us/|||(610) 289-0114|||</span> <span class="affiliate">GAEA|||Easterseals East Georgia|||1930 B Highland Ave||||||Augusta|||GA|||30904|||http://ga-ea.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/eastgeorgia/about-us/contact-us/|||(706) 667-9695|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ILDU|||Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley|||830 South Addison Ave.|||Rosalie Dold Center for Children|||Villa Park|||IL|||60181-1153|||http://www.eastersealsdfvr.org/|||https://www.easterseals.com/dfv/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(630)620-4433|||</span> <span class="affiliate">DMDR|||Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore|||61 Corporate Circle|||Kearns Center|||New Castle|||DE|||19720-2405|||https://www.easterseals.com/de/|||https://www.easterseals.com/de/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(302)324-4444|||</span> <span class="affiliate">DCMD|||Easterseals DC MD VA|||The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Inter-Generational Center|||1420 Spring Street|||Silver Spring|||MD|||20910|||https://www.easterseals.com/DCMDVA/|||https://www.easterseals.com/DCMDVA/about-us/contact-us/|||(301) 588-8700|||</span> <span class="affiliate">INCN|||Easterseals Crossroads|||4740 Kingsway Drive||||||Indianapolis|||IN|||46205-1521|||http://www.eastersealscrossroads.org/|||http://www.eastersealscrossroads.org/contact-us|||(317)466-1000|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CODR|||Easterseals Colorado|||393 South Harlan Street||||||Lakewood|||CO|||80226|||http://co.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/co/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(303) 233-1666|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ILPR|||Easterseals Central Illinois|||507 East Armstrong Avenue||||||Peoria|||IL|||61603-3197|||http://ci.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/ci/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(309)686-1177|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CACN|||Easterseals Central California|||2547 W. Shaw Avenue|||Suite 113|||Fresno|||CA|||93711|||http://centralcal.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/centralcal/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(559) 241-7233 |||</span> <span class="affiliate">OHCS|||Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio|||3830 Trueman Court||||||Hilliard|||OH|||43026|||https://www.easterseals.com/centralohio/|||https://www.easterseals.com/centralohio/about-us/contact-us/|||(614)228-5523|||</span> <span class="affiliate">CTHA|||Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut|||100 Deerfield Road||||||Windsor|||CT|||06095-4207|||https://www.easterseals.com/hartford/|||https://www.easterseals.com/hartford/about-us/contact-us/|||(860) 270-0600|||</span> <span class="affiliate">KYDR|||Easterseals Bluegrass|||1900 Richmond Road||||||Lexington|||KY|||40502|||https://cardinalhill.org|||https://cardinalhill.org/contact/|||(859)367-7217|||</span> <span class="affiliate">AZTU|||Easterseals Blake Foundation|||7750 E. Broadway|||Suite A200 Administrative Office|||Tucson|||AZ|||85710|||https://www.easterseals.com/blakefoundation/|||https://www.easterseals.com/blakefoundation/who-we-are/contact-us/|||(520)327-1529|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ARDR|||Easterseals Arkansas|||3920 Woodland Heights Road||||||Little Rock|||AR|||72212-2495|||https://eastersealsar.com/|||https://eastersealsar.wpengine.com/contact-us/|||(501)227-3600|||</span> <span class="affiliate">INNE|||Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana|||4919 Coldwater Rd||||||Fort Wayne|||IN|||46825-5532|||https://www.eastersealsnei.org|||https://www.eastersealsnei.org/contact-us/|||(260)456-4534|||</span> <span class="affiliate">AKDR|||Easterseals Alaska|||670 West Fireweed Lane|||Suite 201|||Anchorage|||AK|||99503|||http://alaska.easterseals.com|||https://www.easterseals.com/alaska/about-us/contact-us/|||(907) 277-7325|||</span> <span class="affiliate">ALDR|||Easterseals Alabama|||5960 East Shirley Ln||||||Montgomery|||AL|||36117|||https://www.easterseals.com/alabama/|||https://secure.easterseals.com/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=10200|||(334)395-4489|||</span> </div> <script> /* Show More Posts */ if (!$('body').hasClass('aff')) { $('.more-posts').click(function () { if ($('.fade-out').hasClass('open')) { $('.fade-out').removeClass('open'); $('.more-posts').text('Read More Posts'); } else { $('.fade-out').addClass('open'); $('.more-posts').text('Show Fewer Posts'); } event.preventDefault(); }); } /* Email signup box */ function minimizeBox () { localStorage.setItem('signupBox', 'closed'); $('#collapseNewsletter').hide(500); $('.newsletter_closed').show(250); $('a.newsletter_btn img').show(250); } function openBox () { localStorage.setItem('signupBox', 'open'); $('.newsletter_closed').hide(250); $('a.newsletter_btn img').hide(250); $('#collapseNewsletter').show(500); } function dismissBox () { localStorage.setItem('signupBox', 'dismiss'); $('.newsletter_closed').hide(500); $('a.newsletter_btn img').hide(500); } $(function () { var signupBoxState = localStorage.getItem('signupBox'); if (signupBoxState === 'dismiss') { dismissBox(); } else if (signupBoxState === 'closed') { minimizeBox(); setTimeout(function () { $('#email-2019').show(750); }, 4000); } else { setTimeout(function () { $('#email-2019').show(750); }, 4000); } $('a.minus').click(function () { event.preventDefault(); minimizeBox(); }); $('a.dismiss').click(function () { event.preventDefault(); dismissBox(); }); $('.reopen').click(function () { event.preventDefault(); openBox(); }); }); /* Add View our other locations link */ /* if ($('.aff #connect_locally > h3 > a')) { $('a.view-other').prop('href', $('#connect_locally > h3 > a').prop('href')); $('a.view-other').css('display', 'block'); } */ </script> <script> $(function () { $('.hope-slider').slick({ centerMode: true, centerPadding: '140px', slidesToShow: 3, swipeToSlide: true, responsive: [ { breakpoint: 992, settings: { centerMode: false }}, { breakpoint: 480, settings: { centerMode: false, slidesToShow: 1 }} ] }); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/system/components/logging/logging.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> if (typeof CONVIO=="undefined" || ! 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