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With your help today, you can ensure important measures around health, education, employment, transportation and other services are available for those who need them most.

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Policy decisions that impact people with disabilities, veterans and caregivers must be informed by the needs of these populations. Join our email list to receive alerts about advocacy issues and lend your voice to what is happening both nationally and in your area.

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Advocacy News

State of Disability Equity and Access Report

The Easterseals State of Disability Equity and Access Report highlights current research on equity and inclusion for 61+ million individuals in the United States with disabilities, including transportation, employment, education, and healthcare. The report is designed to...

Read the Report
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Racial Equity and Disability

Easterseals is proud to be an organization that advocates for societal and systemic equality for all people, no matter what ability or racial background. One in four Americans today are living with disability, and of those, one in four are Black Americans.

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Advocacy Resources

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Legislative Landmarks

Easterseals has been active in public policy advocacy since our found, Edgar Allen, lobbied the Ohio Legislature to fund appropriate services for children with disabilities in the 1920s. We continue to actively support and promote federal legislation that helps people with disabilities achieve independence.

Legislative Landmarks
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Public Policy Priorities

Easterseals is dedicated to ensuring that the rights and resources that people with disabilities rely on are protected and expanded. To achieve that goal, we focus our efforts to protect, renew and expand access to effective services and supports for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and veterans to help them reach their potential and thrive in their communities.

Public Policy Priorities
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White House Accessibility

Among the many changes the new administration made in its first week was to make a commitment to ensure its site is accessible to all Americans. They are asking for input from the public, especially people with disabilities.

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Easter Seals Alabama's Legislative Efforts

Easter Seals Alabama actively supports people with disabilities and their families by appealing to Local and State Officials, Congress and federal agencies to create and support programs that help people with disabilities gain greater independence.

Day on the Hill

Legislatures IN the Know (LINK) was initiated in May of 2007 with the first Day on the Hill. Day on the Hill is an effort to build awareness of Easter Seals in the state legislature as well as an opportunity to develop a strategic state government relations plan. Long term, LINK will provide heightened awareness and increased understanding of the issues surrounding disabilities.

Easter Seals Alabama visited legislators on the Hill February 28, 2008, in a continued effort to educate them about services we provide. Presentations of artwork completed by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder were made to Governor Bob Riley, Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. and Representative Cam Ward. Administrators and staffers went door-to-door dropping off literature and speaking with senators, representatives and staffers.

The 2009 Day on the Hill is set for February 26, 2009.

For additional photos from Day on the Hill, download the 2008 Day on the Hill PDF.

Alabama Autism Task Force

Representative Cam Ward and Emily, mother of an autistic childOn March 20, 2007, State Representative Cam Ward and Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. announced the formation of the Alabama Autism Task Force. House Joint Resolution 23 was passed by the legislature on March 8 and signed into law by Governor Riley shortly afterwards. The task force is made up of state officials, educators, doctors, and members of the academic community to recommend ways to improve the treatment of autism in Alabama.

Easter Seals Alabama is an active member of Alabama's Autism Interagency Council which governs the Alabama Autism Task Force.

For more information about the Alabama Autism Task Force, visit www.camward.com/AutismTaskForce.htm.

The 150 Visits Initiative

U.S. Representative Joe Bonner visiting Goodwill Easter Seals In 2006, Easter Seals affiliates were challenged to create and steward relationships with their members of Congress. The goal was to have 100 members of Congress visit affiliate service sites to see first hand the critical role that Easter Seals has in assisting adults and children with disabilities live, learn, work and play in their communities. The visits connect the decisions Representatives and Senators make to the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Last year, the initiative mobilized Easter Seals Alabama's staff to reach out to federal legislators and create an emotional connection with them to Easter Seals' mission and services for individuals and families with autism and other disabilities and special needs. Each of the visits created an opportunity to emphasize the value and cost benefit to society of funding essential services that promote the health, productivity and independence of people with disabilities and special needs.

By October 2007, Easter Seals affiliates across the country had successfully reached and surpassed that goal. This year, a new resolution has been set to continue the program's successes by setting a goal of 150 additional visits.

You Can Help!

Join Easter Seals today in educating and informing public officials about issues that affect individuals with disabilities. View Easter Seals Action Alerts and contact your legislators now!

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