February 01, 2019 / In ,

Easterseals honors legacy of impact with 100th anniversary

In 2019, Easterseals celebrates 100 years of impact in the lives of children and adults with disabilities or other special needs, their families and communities throughout America as a powerful advocate and innovative provider of services as one in four Americans today live with disability according to a 2018 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We are proud to mark this milestone by reflecting on our legacy of impact and embracing a future where every one of us is 100% included and 100% empowered,” Angela Williams, president and CEO of Easterseals, said.

Since its founding in 1919, Easterseals has remained committed to ensuring the needs of people with disabilities in every corner of America are met with services and supports to help them live, learn, work and play. By combining on-the-ground presence, deep expertise and diverse programs, Easterseals’ 71 affiliates are making truly inclusive schools, companies and communities a reality across the nation.

In 2007, Southwest Human Development joined together with Easterseals as the affiliate for central and northern Arizona. The agency was selected as an affiliate in large part because of its level of quality service. The agency’s commitment to excellence and dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities mirrors that of Easterseals.

Southwest Human Development’s disabilities programs include the ADAPT Shop, autism services, developmental evaluations and more. The agency’s annual Walk With Me event – coming up on Saturday, Feb. 23 – benefits Arizona’s youngest children with disabilities and their families. You can sign up here!

Easterseals has also amplified its role as a powerful advocate on both a local and national level to ensure that critical services and supports are protected for those who need them. From its role as a leading advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act to the protection of Medicaid-funded services in 2017, Easterseals has been on the forefront of legislation that clears pathways and opens opportunities for all.

Throughout 2019, Easterseals will highlight the differences its services make on the lives of the people, families and communities it serves by sharing success stories and testimonials; revisiting groundbreaking moments in its history; and inviting supporters to get involved in the celebration with exciting events including a March 27 Capitol Hill Day Experience and 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about Southwest Human Development’s Easterseals disabilities services, visit swhd.org/disabilities.