Easterseals Washington

International Women's Day honors the strength, achievements, and remarkable individuality of women across the globe. Today serves as a powerful reminder to celebrate the incredible women who pave the way as trailblazers, work tirelessly behind the scenes, and transform the world with their contributions. Shoutout to all the amazing women who fight for their beliefs, chase their dreams, and strive to make a meaningful impact every day!

Today, there are over 277,000 individuals who live in Kitsap County. There are so many of us out there who want to make a difference locally, but as our communities continue to grow, it becomes difficult to imagine how you can support those outside your circle. ??Here's one thing you can do right now. Kitsap Great Give comes around just once a year, offering an incredible opportunity to transform the lives of your neighbors, coworkers, and community members who call Kitsap County home. One in four people in the United States have a disability—and not all are visible. At Easterseals Washington, we are providing direct support, guidance, mentorship, and pathways to success for children and adults, and families who are impacted by disability. Early Giving is happening right now, and by contributing a one-time or monthly gift to Easterseals Washington, you can ensure that the individuals, caregivers, and families in Kitsap County have a place to go for reliable support and care when they need it most.

Mental health is a critical issue for millions of Americans, and adults with disabilities face nearly five times the rate of mental distress as other adults. I was honored to join Tetiana Anderson host of Comcast Newsmakers for a conversation about early intervention for children with developmental delays and the role of preventive strategies, screening tools, and support programs in improving mental health outcomes across the lifespan. At Easterseals, we are passionate about providing the resources and support individuals of all ages and abilities need to thrive. Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gkZpve38

Today marks the second anniversary of the passing of Judy Heumann, a trailblazing leader in disability rights. Her extraordinary legacy endures in the policies she shaped and the countless lives she impacted. Judy championed the power of storytelling, using her voice to inspire change and empower others to embrace their disability identity with pride. Let us continue to celebrate and uphold Judy’s extraordinary life and legacy by sharing stories, raising our voices, and championing the fight for disability inclusion and justice.

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

If you believe people with disabilities deserve to live full, productive, happy, healthy lives, please pay attention to the Executive Orders being signed and implemented that are putting these rights in grave jeopardy. Medicaid cuts will dramatically reduce or eliminate supports that enable people with disabilities to work, go to school, and live independently, Medicaid cuts will eliminate thousands of jobs for direct service professionals, and create a cascade of job loss for family members and caregivers who rely on DSPs assistance to live. DOJ is threatening to penalize companies and government agencies for promoting accessibility. Section 504 which protects students with disabilities’ right to receive an education and affords them the right to reasonable accommodations, is under attack. The threat of eliminating the Department of Education will reduce protections for students with disabilities and make it impossible for many of them to attend school. Cuts made to the NIH will result in less research about disabilities. These actions threaten to weaken or completely eliminate policies and protections for people with disabilities - and they are NOT hypotheticals - these threats are real. Disenfranchising our brothers and sisters who comprise America’s largest minority population, pushing them out of school, forcing them into unemployment, weakening their healthcare, and making them less independent isn’t smart, strategic or fiscally prudent. Now is the time to speak up, to use facts and examples of the importance of supporting the rights of people with disabilities. Now is the time to passionately and respectfully make our concern known to legislators. Now is the time to work cooperatively to strengthen our appeals and speak truth to power.

Welcome aboard, Ayelet! ?? We are thrilled to have you as a vital part of our mission. Your expertise and passion will undoubtedly make a significant impact!

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) change lives every day. They empower people with disabilities to live independently, build meaningful relationships, and achieve their dreams. But their work—and the lives they support—are at risk when federal funding is uncertain. It’s essential to recognize and fund the work of Direct Support Professionals. Real stories from Easterseals Affiliates across the county highlight the critical support DSPs provide and the life-changing impact they have on Easterseals participants and their families. At Easterseals Northern Indiana’s Cardinal Services, Bill found his voice thanks to his DSP, Tami. She not only helped him express his wants and needs—she made his dream trip to Disney World a reality. Direct Support Professionals are more than caregivers. They are advocates, educators, and life-changers. Their work deserves to be protected. Connect with your local Easterseals and support their work to protect DSPs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTDvy8wR

At Easterseals Washington, we are dedicated to transparency in our services, ensuring our community always has the information needed to trust and confidently support our work. We are excited to announce that we recently earned a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency! Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact ?? https://lnkd.in/gjgNHSVX Want to help grow our impact? ?? Join the giving circle today to ensure we can do more to serve children and adults with disabilities and their families, all year long. https://lnkd.in/gwsnD8Xg

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the wildfires in Southern California, and we are committed to supporting our community. We’ve created a dedicated resource page on our website to help those impacted by the L.A. wildfires, including critical information for individuals with disabilities and general relief resources. Visit our website to access all available resources and assistance: https://lnkd.in/gG5vw-yh