Media Resource Center
The Easterseals Network is executing a public relations plan to increase our brand relevance and position Easterseals as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, emphasizing our services pillars: Employment, Veterans and Military Families, Caregivers, Autism, Child Development/Back to School, Mental Health, Seniors and Transportation. Executing this plan will be reliant on local stories to drive national media placements around our key service areas.
ADDITIONAL MEDIA RESOURCES
Client Photo Library | Digital Assets | List of 2019-20 Placements with Story Links | Master Presentation on the Impact of Easterseals, Master Presentation on the Impact of Easterseals (with PSA content) | Affiliate Boilerplate Customization Examples
Adult Release Form | Child Release Form
All In: Easterseals 10-Point Plan for Disability Equity
Driven by our purpose to change the way the world defines and views people with disabilities, Easterseals is committed to building an equitable work environment for people with disabilities – and that begins with you. With Easterseals’ 10-point plan for disability equity, your pledge will confirm your commitment to creating a fair and inclusive environment for all of us.
To learn more about the All In campaign, visit www.easterseals.com/disabilityequity
Check out the official Press Release, Easterseals Launches All In: The Plan for Disability Equity
Check out Angela’s OpEd in The Hill, It’s Time to End Employment Discrimination for People with Disabilities
Share the All In campaign with your Facebook and Twitter followers. A full toolkit can be found here.
DISABILITY EQUITY + SERVICE FACTS AND STATS (08.20) | Read More
ONE in FOUR people – 61 million – are living with disability today
ONE in THREE adults with disabilities have no health care provider or unmet needs due to cost
[ezcol_1third]Disability Demographics[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Types of Disability[/ezcol_2third_end]
[ezcol_1third]2 in 5 people are 65 or older [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]13.7% Associated with mobility[/ezcol_2third_end]
[ezcol_1third]1 in 4 women [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]10.8% Cognitive disability[/ezcol_2third_end]
[ezcol_1third]3 in 10 Native Americans [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]6.8% Independent Living disability[/ezcol_2third_end]
[ezcol_1third]1 in 4 African Americans [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]5.9% Deaf or hard of hearing[/ezcol_2third_end]
[ezcol_1third]1 in 5 Caucasians [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]4.6% Blind or low vision[/ezcol_2third_end]
[ezcol_1third]1 in 6 Hispanics [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]3.6% Self-care disability[/ezcol_2third_end]
Affiliate permission to use their story must be secured. Please contact the primary person listed with their story, or contact Dan Ciaglia at the Easterseals National Office.
Please refer to the Facts and Stats document linked near the top of the page for sources on service-based facts and stats listed below.
Early Child Development
Facts and Stats
Easterseals is committed to creating a world where every and any child born with a disability is given the support needed to fully participate in life. Early Intervention services help young children with disabilities achieve their goals in cognitive, social, emotional, communicative, adaptive and physical developement.
Our Make the First Five Count initiative provides a free, online screening tool so that parents, grandparents, educators and care providers can be sure the children for whom they care are meeting critical developmental milestones, and what to do if they’re not.
10-15% of children between birth and five years have physical, cognitive, social and behavioral delays, representing nearly 3 million infants and toddlers.
Videos
Londyn’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
West Palm Beach Center Mission Video – Easterseals Florida
Guns N Hoses Child Development Center – Easterseals Iowa
Subject Matter Experts
Donna Davidson, President and CEO, Easterseals North Georgia
Barry Simon, President and CEO, Easterseals of Oak Hill
Sue Ventura, President and CEO, Easterseals Florida
Employment
Facts and Stats
In 2019, Easterseals employment services ensured more than 75,000 people with disabilities, veterans and older adults for the supports they needed to identify and leverage their skills, receive training and secure meaningful employment. Obstacles to employment for people with disabilities include physical environments that are inaccessible or hard to navigate; lack of assistive tools or technologies; negative attitudes within the work environment; lack of access to transportation, relevant systems and policies to welcome people with disabilities into the workforce.
17.9% of people with disabilities are unemployed, compared to 13.3% of the general population
9.1% of veterans are unemployed, compared to 13.3% of the general population
People with disabilities’ median earnings are over $10K fewer than people with no disability
People with disabilities are categorized as the THIRD LARGEST market segment in the United States after Hispanics and African Americans
Corporations deemed “Disability Inclusion Champions” realize higher shareholder returns and are TWICE as likely to outperform their peers and achieve 30% higher profit margins compared to companies that do not include people with disabilities in diversity and inclusion strategies
If 1% more people with disabilities join the workforce, the GDP could boost up to $25 BILLION
Videos
Claire’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
Shawn’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
Sam: Making Her Way – Easterseals Crossroads
Supported Employees Are Essential – Easterseals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Six Months to Six Figures – Easterseals New Jersey
Subject Matter Experts
Nic Novicki, Founder, Easterseals Disability Film and Easterseals Southern California Board Member – Equal Representation in Hollywood
Carol Salter, President and CEO, Easterseals Oregon – Veterans Reintegration
Luanne Welch, President and CEO, Easterseals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
Mark Whitley, President and CEO, Easterseals Southern California
Dr. Michael Wirth-Davis, President and CEO, Goodwill-Easterseals Minnesota
Military and Veterans, Families and Caregivers
Facts and Stats
Veterans and military families leverage a variety of Easterseals services, though some services are specifically tailored to veterans and their families. Among these are Employment, Mental Health services, Caregiver support, Homeless veterans reintegration, and Financial Literacy.
18.2 MILLION veterans in the United States
30% active duty and reserve military – approximately 730,000 people – deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health condition requiring treatment
Less than 50% of these veterans receive any mental health treatment treatment
22 veterans die by suicide every day
9.1% of veterans are unemployed, compared to 13.3% of the general population
11% of the homeless population are veterans, including 20% of the male homeless population
Of this group, 51% have disabilities; 50% have mental illness; 70% have substance abuse problems
Stories
Keith, Easterseals New Hampshire Veterans Recovery | Story | Resources and Contact
Videos
The Impact of Veterans Rally Point – Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut
Subject Matter Experts
Andrea Christoffels, Veterans Count, Easterseals New Hampshire
David Muir Jr., Senior Vice President Veterans Staffing Network, Easterseals DC MD VA | Veterans Employment
Dr. Tracey Neal-Walden, Director Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, Easterseals DC MD VA | Mental Health
Scott Robinson, Director of Miliary and Veteran Services, Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati | Veterans Employment
Carol Salter, President and CEO, Easterseals Oregon – Veteran Homelessness
BG Ron Welch, Vice President Military and Veteran Services, Easterseals Capital Region Eastern Connecticut
Autism
Facts and Stats
Autism Services impact the lives of children and adults living on the autism spectrum throughout the lifespan through Easterseals services randing from early intervention and inclusive childcare to employment and residential services.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 59 children in the United States has autism
The prevalence is FOUR TIMES higher among boys than girls
7% more Caucasian children are on the autism spectrum than African American children and 22% more than Hispanic children
Only 42% of children with autism had a diagnostic evaluation by age 3, despite 85% showing some signs of the condition at that age
Early identification, evaluation and intervention are CRITICAL
Videos
RJ’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
Henry is Thriving at Easterseals Olympic Peninsula Autism Center – Easterseals Washington
Mental Health
Facts and Stats
Easterseals behavorial health services include mental health services for children, adults and families, including veterans and seniors, as well as substance abuse and recovery programs.
1 in 5 adults experience mental health illness annually, and 1 in 25 experience serious mental illness
1 in 6 youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder annually
50% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
For facts and stats on mental health in military and veterans, please see the military and veterans section
Videos
Mental Illness Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back – Easterseals New Jersey
Adults and Seniors
Facts and Stats
Home and community-based services help people live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Community-based Adult Day Services meet the daytime needs of adults with disabilities and older adults while promoting their dignity and independence. Easterseals partners with families to ensure a continuation of their care focused on the client’s well-being. In-home services meet the various needs of seniors, from personal care, household chores and meal delivery to more extensive in-home are and companionship.
In the next decade, more than 71 MILLION Americans will be 65 years old or older
52.8% of adults ages 65 and older report having a disability, and more than 33% reported a severe disability
41% of seniors ages 65-79 and 71% ages 80+ have at least one self-care, household activity or mobility issue
Medicaid finances 59% of home and community-based services, and more than 2.5 MILLION people received services through Medicaid
Videos
Michael’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
Clayton’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
Miracle’s Story – Easterseals Arkansas
Transportation
Facts and Stats
Transportation for people with disabilities is not just a ride; accessible transportation ensures that the one in four people with disabilities in America today can be full participants in their communities. Easterseals Project Action Consulting provides training and technical expertise to transportation companies, human services agencies, states, tribal nations and communities nationwide to ensure accessible transportation compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The National Center for Mobility Management helps people with disabilities across the country identify people and organizations in their state, region or local community that can connect them to the most appropriate transportation services and supports.