DANIELLE SPRUILL

Danielle Spruill

Danielle Spruill, who has autism, has enjoyed participating for several years in the Easter Seals Youth Leadership Network (YLN), a group that teaches self-advocacy strategies to young people ages 14 to 26 in order to maximize their educational and professional success.

As a member of the Boston area group, the 25-year-old Mattapan resident became particularly involved this past year in supporting the #ADAGeneration campaign. Along with Easter Seals staff members, she visited local businesses and colleges to discuss the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ask representatives to create paper chain links in celebration of the ADA’s 25th anniversary.

“Youth around the state were doing this, but no one made as many of these visits as Danielle,” recalled Easter Seals President Emeritus Kirk Joslin. “Her enthusiasm, warmth and friendliness made a tangible difference in presentations to employees, students, legislators, state officials and many others.”

Danielle, a graduate of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury, was honored at the Evening of Recognition in October for those efforts, as well as all the other ways in which she supports Easter Seals. One of the most active YLN members, she participated in Walk With Me, Connect for a Cause (C4C) and other fundraisers.

“I love YLN so much,” Danielle said. “The activities are fun, and they talk about different topics that help you.”

Danielle, who works part-time sorting clothes and stocking the sales floor at T.J.Maxx, said it’s important to raise awareness of the ADA since disabled people have a right to, and rely on, equal access to transportation and employment opportunities. “If I wasn’t working,” she said, “I’d just be home.” In fact, Danielle is hoping to move out of her family’s home and into an apartment with a roommate.

“I want to be independent. I want to meet friends, and I want to have my own experiences,” she said. “I like to travel, but I’ve never traveled too far, so I’m working on that, too.”  

 

Powered by Blackbaud
nonprofit software