Every November, we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) to recognize and honor those caring for a loved one, and to raise awareness, educate, and support for caregivers across the country. From full-time family caregivers to neighbors who have volunteered to pick up groceries for the person who lives next door, a caregiver can play so many important roles– but what all caregivers have in common is that they take time and energy from their own lives to care for someone else who needs their help. 

The 2021 theme is #CaregiverAnd, which encourages caregivers to celebrate the other roles, activities, and passions that enrich their lives. Caregivers are a critical part of the Easterseals community and they’ve gone above and beyond to serve our community, especially this past year. Join Easterseals Colorado in celebrating NFCM this month! 

Our program, the Colorado Respite Coalition (CRC), is proud to work year-round as a vital statewide resource for caregivers of individuals of all ages and all health care needs. Working with a coordinated coalition of community partners, we promote awareness of and access to respite care services and resources that help improve the quality of life for caregivers and the individuals they care for.

In Colorado alone, there are an estimated 584,000 caregivers (AARP). Caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care and six out of ten caregivers are also employed. Family caregivers suffer from health risks including physical and emotional strain, chronic conditions and for older caregivers there is a higher mortality rate due to caregiving-related stress. 

Respite is a short break for caregivers, the opportunity for a caregiver to step away, knowing their loved one is well cared for, by bringing in professional care. We all need a break sometimes, and respite provides a chance to recharge. Additionally, respite can provide peace of mind and help to manage stress levels, which can lead to growth in personal identity, chances to pursue new activities and maintenance of vital personal relationships. Respite for the person receiving the care is also beneficial. It offers chances to socialize and meet new people, opportunities to learn new skills and try new activities and respite can reduce chances of accidents and hospitalizations.

The following quote, from a Colorado family, illustrates the importance of respite:

“We are relieved to have someone care for our child that understands his needs. Our provider is doing a fantastic job. We can leave our toddler in her care and not worry. Respite care is such a far-reaching benefit for a family like ours. We knew that having a child would be a challenge since we do not have extended family nearby. When we discovered that our child has special needs, we really didn’t know how we were going to make it, but we are making it – one day at a time. And things are improving. The service has saved our marriage. We are so thankful.”

– David, Silverthorne (2 year old son) – In home respite care

The #CaregiverAnd theme ties back to the importance of respite and the importance of self-care to prevent caregiver burnout and depression. What are your passions? What are your interests? Outside of caregiving, what is it that makes up who you are and enriches your life? Being a caregiver is incredibly important, but it’s important to not lose sight of who you are. Taking a break from caregiving and spending time on the activities you love, that make you who you are, is incredibly important.

Sign the petition to honor caregivers today – Click here to add your name.

President Biden Proclaims November 2021 as National Family Caregivers Month – Click to read.

10 Tips for Family Caregivers from the Caregiver Action Network – Click to read.

Please visit our website at www.eastersealscolorado.org to see the various programs and services we offer for you as a caregiver, and for those you are caring for that will give you the respite you need and deserve. Our program, Colorado Respite Coalition, is an extremely helpful resource so make sure you visit their website as well at www.coloradorespitecoalition.org.

“America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion”
Easterseals Colorado is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Organizations of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM. Join us!

With the unemployment rate among adults with disabilities nearly 12 times the national average, it’s important to highlight NDEAM. It is through Easterseals Colorado’s Employment Services that we provide the training and guidance needed to prepare our clients to enter the workforce so they can earn money to live and thrive.

“Ultimate Problem Solvers, Remarkable Talent”
This series, brought to you by Easterseals HQ, focuses on people with disabilities with meaningful, exciting careers including photos and quotes about their personal experiences with employment/inclusion.

Yannick Benjamin is a Remarkable Talent (and knows a thing or two about wine). He is a NYC-based sommelier at the University Club and one of the Co-Founders of Wheeling Forward, a non-profit that “enables people with disabilities to see possibility where others see insurmountable obstacles,” stepping in to help recently disabled people that lack a support system and resources to obtain the services they need, as well as helping people adapt to life with a long-term disability: “Wheeling Forward is trying to champion people who have disabilities who have goals and objectives that they would like to achieve, but they may not have the right resources or the exact network of family and friends to help them get there and Wheeling Forward tries to provide them with whatever is necessary to help them achieve their objectives and their goals. We all know that it’s very difficult in this day and age, let alone when you have a disability, to try to do it on your own. Everyone needs a little help.” Along with Wheeling Forward Co-Founder Alex Elegudin, the two have founded Wine on Wheels in New York City. Before a car accident in 2003 left Yannick paralyzed, he had a dream of becoming a world class sommelier. Today, Yannick is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. On Wine on Wheels, Yannick had to say: “We really want to start bringing attention and awareness about people with disabilities to have more employment and more opportunities in the hospitality sector, whether that’s working in a winery, whether it’s working in a hotel, in a restaurant, but I just don’t think that there’s enough opportunities because when we talk about the hospitality sector, they are constantly looking for people, it’s a massive sector but yet still we’re completely left out, we’re completely invisible and there’s a lot of factors to that, and the main one that I think personally is because the major leaders in our industry and the culture of hospitality haven’t made that effort, there’s a combination of not being educated enough, not having the resources to be like how can we get more involved and I think what we want to really do is show that people with disabilities are incredibly hardworking, they’re dedicated and they bring a lot of value.”

Ben Trockman is a Remarkable Talent. A graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, Ben joined Old National Bank in 2014 as Community Outreach and Employment Specialist. Ben has been challenged to assist Old National to become a leader in disability employment and inclusion through education and awareness, while working to enhance recruiting efforts and rethinking the hiring processes to successfully recruit, on-board and employ people with disabilities. He is active within the disability advocacy community, and works with legislators in Washington DC and Indianapolis to improve employment opportunities, airline accessibility and healthcare options for people with disabilities. Ben also serves as Evansville City Council Member, First Ward and is the former Easterseals National Adult Representative from 2012. “Creating an inclusive company culture takes deliberate action and intentional effort,” Ben wrote. “In my career at Old National, I’ve had the pleasure of planting the seeds of inclusion, specifically for people with disabilities in the workforce by fostering relationships that blossom in the shape of mentorships, internships and full-time employment opportunities.”

Shaina Ghuraya is a Remarkable Talent. She is a writer on the upcoming Netflix Animation show Boons and Curses. Her artistic style is unapologetic, quirky and bold. She jokes that she is a triple threat – a woman, Punjabi, and disabled. “As a disabled, Indian woman I really struggled to find my place in whatever spaces I navigated, whether they were school, work, or even parties,” Shaina said. “It wasn’t until I started owning my identities that I realized I didn’t need to “find” my place, I needed to take it. Currently I’m taking my place in Hollywood as a writer/director which has not been easy. Hollywood perpetuates ableism not only in its content, but also in the workforce. Things are slowly changing, but so many gatekeepers have the power to make things change faster, and a large part of that is simply hiring creatives with disabilities. We’re out here, we’re talented, and we’re tired of not being included. Our stories are literally untold, so let’s change that.”

Erin Hawley is a Remarkable Talent. She is the Communications and Digital Content Producer for Easterseals HQ. Erin has collaborated with companies like Microsoft, Logitech, Adobe, and Electronic Arts to ensure accessibility and inclusivity is not an afterthought. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, HuffPost, and on other platforms. She lives in Keyport, New Jersey, and you can find her online under the moniker The Geeky Gimp, her personal blog reviewing various nerdy media from a disability perspective. She obtained her Master’s degree in Multicultural and Translational Literatures at East Carolina University. “Our mission is one that’s really important because we don’t just offer services to help an individual day-to-day, we help in advocacy and getting the message out there that people with disabilities should be 100% included and 100% valued in society,” Erin said of her work with Easterseals. “I feel like focusing on employment this month that we should all really look at how the pandemic has changed the job landscape and how especially it has affected people with disabilities.”

All In for Disability Equity – 5 Powerful Reasons Why You Should Hire People with Disabilities
We’ll give you 5 powerful reasons why your company should hire people with disabilities. Read below!

1. Innovative Thinkers, Ultimate Problem Solvers
People with disabilities are highly skilled at adapting to new or difficult situations. When a company taps a diverse talent pool, including people with disabilities, employers find their work force to be more productive, creative and better at problem solving.

2. Reliable Employees
Despite common misconceptions, employees with disabilities are loyal, consistently rating higher than their non-disabled peers when it comes to the number of missed days at work, daily punctuality or adhering to a consistent work schedule, and staying on the job in their roles for longer tenures.

3. Strong Work Ethic
People with disabilities are motivated to work. Research shows that having people with disabilities in the workplace improves staff morale, strengthens teamwork, and elevates both the quality and pace of work that other staff produce.

4. Increase Profits
The majority of employers who have made the commitment — evolving their diversity policies to be more inclusive to recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities — have seen a positive impact on their bottom line, increasing productivity, customer loyalty and profitability.

5. Customers Value Your Values
Socially responsible companies are more successful in today’s marketplace. Your business practices matter to customers, directly influencing their purchasing decisions. The overwhelming majority of consumers are more favorable to companies that have diverse, equitable and inclusive workforces, including people with disabilities in their teams and within their branding and marketing efforts.

Impact of COVID Study
This year, Easterseals HQ conducted a study to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected people with disabilities. We found that people with disabilities were more likely to be unemployed than the general population. In 2020, only 17.9% of the population of working-age people with disabilities were working versus 61.8% of the general population. Workers with disabilities were also more likely to be employed part-time than people in the overall population. We must collaborate with leaders to develop resources and tangible solutions to build a more inclusive, equitable workforce. View the entire study at www.easterseals.com/covidstudy.

All In for Disability Equity
We at Easterseals Colorado are All In for Disability Equity. We’re committed to collaborating with leaders across every industry to include disability within diversity. Today, one in four people identify as having a disability. The unemployment rate among adults with disabilities is nearly 12 times the national average. Two out of three people with disabilities want to work, but have not been able to secure jobs because of accessibility and attitudinal barriers.

At Easterseals Colorado, we believe all people should be 100 percent included and 100 percent empowered in the workforce. We focus on defining and finding the right job for our clients, regardless of age or ability. Working with Employment Services, job seekers will be provided with the training and guidance needed to prepare for and enter the workforce to earn money to live and thrive. For employers, our individualized services ensure that you are matched with pre-screened job candidates who meet the needs of your business. Easterseals Colorado’s Employment Services provide unique benefits to both employers and people looking for work. Participating employers are viewed as partners who share a goal of providing competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Job seekers are given an opportunity to join the workforce and earn money to live and thrive.

Find out how you, your business and/or your industry can get involved with Easterseals Colorado’s Employment Services on our website here. Feel free to share this blog post with your community to show your support of NDEAM this October.

This week is National Disability Voter Registration Week! People with disabilities are a huge portion of the voting bloc as 1 in 4 people with disabilities live in America –that’s 61+ million voices strong. Be seen. Be heard. Be counted. Register to vote today!

Easterseals HQ put together a checklist to make sure your voice is heard at the polls!

What resources are available for voting during COVID-19?

• When We All Vote: Vote By Mail, Explained
  
• NPR: How to Make Sure You Cast Your Ballot in November (Vote By Mail Tips)
  
• AAPD: Voter Resource Center
  

What are my rights as a voter with a disability?

Federal laws require that all Americans have the same opportunity to participate in the voting process.

A voter with a disability has the right to:

• Vote privately and independently
  
• Have an accessible polling place with voting machines for voters with disabilities
  
• Wheelchair-accessible voting booths
  
• Entrances and doorways that are at least 32 inches wide
  
• Handrails on all stairs
  
• Voting equipment that is accessible to voters who are blind or who have low vision
  
• Bring your service animal with you into your polling place
  
• Seek assistance from workers at the polling place who have been trained to use the accessible voting machine, or
  
• Bring someone to help you vote (including a friend, family member, caregiver, assisted living provider, or almost anyone else).

What if my rights as a voter with a disability are being violated?

If you experience any problems accessing the polls on election day, contact:

• 866 OUR VOTE at www.866ourvote.org or 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)
  
• 888-Ve-Y-Vota (888-839-8682) for Bilingual English and Spanish assistance
  
• Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) for assistance in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, or Tagalog
  
• The Election Assistance Commission, 1-866-747-1471 or BeReady16@eac.gov
  
• The Department of Justice, Voting Section at www.justice.gov/crt/contacting-voting-section, 800-253-3931, or voting.section@usdoj.gov
  
• Your state or local election office – find your state here.
  
• Your state Protection & Advocacy Agency – a list of state agencies can be found on the National Disability Rights Network website.

Download the resource card below to take with you on election day!

Is it too late to register to vote?

• Register to vote — There’s still time! State deadlines can be found here.
  
• Register to vote online at www.aapd.com/REVUP
  
• Study up the voter ID laws in your state.VoteRiders has created wallet-cards with the ID requirements for each state. Find them here. You can also contact their Voter ID Hotline at 1-844-338-8743.
  
• Identify your polling place – VOTE411.org offers a tool to locate your polling place based on the address where you are registered to vote.
  
• Consider voting absentee – learn more about rules and guidelines here.
  
• Consider participating in early voting, if offered in your area – This early voting chart lists time frames for those states that offer early voting.
  
• Check out this SMS Tool – The Voting Information Project supports a SMS Tool that provides voters with election information via text message. By texting “VOTE” or “VOTO” to GOVOTE (468-683), voters can find polling places, contact information for local election officials, and registration URLs. The app is available in multiple languages.
  
• Reach out to your local election officials to learn about other options available to you:
  
  • “Curbside voting,” in which a poll worker brings all voting materials to your car.
    
  • Mobile polling places at long-term care facilities.
    
  • Transportation to the polls and help identifying the accessibility of polling places.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• National Association of the Deaf – ALS Voter Hotline
  
• SignVote, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing community-based Voter GOTV mobilization effort.

Blind and Low Vision

• Department of Justice – ADA Polling Place Checklist
  
• National Federation of the Blind – Training for Poll Workers
  
• National Federation of the Blind – The Blind Voter’s Guide to Voting
  
• National Federation of the Blind – Voting Guide for Young People who are Blind

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• Self Advocates Becoming Empowered – Voting and Guardianship
  
• Self Advocates Becoming Empowered – Voting Laws

Mobility

• Department of Justice – ADA Polling Place Checklist
  
• Election Assistance Commission – Quick Start Guide: Accessibility

For more information on the Voting Rights Act (VRA), Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (VAEHA), National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and Help America Vote Act (HAVA) please visit the Department of Justice’s Voting Section website: www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/

Be sure to check out AAPD’s REV UP Campaign.

“VOTE as if your life depends on it—Because it DOES!” Answer legendary disability advocate Justin Dart’s call and register to vote or update your registration today at weall.vote/revup!

#DisabilityVote #NDVRW

The summer is coming to an end and most families have either just started, or are about to start, the 2021-2022 school year. Teachers, staff, students, parents, caregivers … whatever role you play, you may see or experience the back-to-school jitters or stressors in some capacity. It’s been a weird and challenging year, to say the least, so it may be more difficult for some families to go back-to-school in-person. We’ve gathered some general tips and ideas to prepare you for a great start to the year!

Anxious about going back to school? You’ve got this!

• Talk about what you will learn this school year and identify something you are excited about.
  PBS Kids offers age-by-age tips (ages 2-8) and activities for: Emotions & Self-Awareness, Social Skills, Characters, Literacy, Math, Science, Arts. OR just generally discuss the year and name one thing that is exciting about going back to in-person learning.
  
• Walk through your exact routine beforehand to get more familiar and comfortable. The early alarm, brushing teeth, putting on clothes, eating breakfast, transportation, etc. Do this for the evening routine too! Create mini checklists to walk through each morning and night. Read more on “SUPER Morning and Bedtime Routines” on pbs.org.
  
• Take a tour of the new school (if possible) to get familiar with walking to the classroom, to lunch, to activities, or to the bus. Establish a specific pick-up or meet-up spot if needed. Some schools are offering virtual ways to connect with new students. It is helpful to learn the ins and outs of the school beforehand to help with any first day anxiety.
  
• Create a calendar that serves as a good visual for the days activities. This can also help you know what to expect or even what to look forward to that day/week/month.
  
• The night before: set out your clothes and prep your lunch! This will help the next morning feel a little less hectic. You can also try to identify a few quick and easy options/choices for breakfast the next day.
  
• New school? Meet a classmate beforehand so you have a familiar face/friend on your first day! Your parent, teacher, or school counselor should be able to help with this.
  
• Start a back-to-school tradition! Identify something your family enjoyed doing together this summer and make a special night out of it to commemorate the new school year! Dinner and ice cream out at a favorite spot? Movie and popcorn night? Make it a yearly tradition!
  
• Mental health is important! Make sure you can identify any intense feelings and have someone to support and talk with you at school, in your family, etc. Make sure you and/or your child knows how to find these resources if necessary!
  
• Reframe the conversation! Focus on yours and others strengths rather than weaknesses, and similarities rather than differences.
  
• Be open-minded! Explore new passions or activities and get involved in clubs or extracurricular activities at school. This is a great way to engage with other students who have similar interests!

Let us know if you have a specific tip or trick to add to this list!

As always, you are not alone. Easterseals HQ has a recent blog post “Parents of Kids with Disabilities are Asking Schools to Make up for Lost Time” that shows some of the disparities kids with disabilities have faced with COVID school shut-downs.

And here is an interesting article with tips from a pediatric psychologist. Some kids may have stressors they face at school, some kids may have trouble adjusting to new COVID protocols, etc. Great professional advice and suggestions here!

We are wishing everyone the best as they head back-to-school.

Easterseals Colorado is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 31st Anniversary.

What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. This important civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life – including employment, education, transportation, health care, and all places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to guarantee that people with disabilities have equal opportunities as everyone else (similar to civil rights protections provided to people on the basis of race, color. sex, nationality, age, and religion). The ADA is split into five titles:

• Title I – Employment (applies to employers with 15 or more employees)
• Title II – Public Services: State and Local Government (includes public transportation)
• Title III – Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities (hotels, restaurants, sports stadiums, movie theaters, etc)
• Title IV – Telecommunications
• Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions

It’s also important to remember that the definition of “disability” under the ADA is a legal term, not a medical term and therefore differs from the definition under other laws. including Social Security Disability. “The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that person’s association with a person with a disability.”

Before the ADA … There was nothing stopping businesses from refusing to hire or provide workplace accommodations for people with disabilities. The U.S. Capitol had no wheelchair ramps. Public transportation didn’t have lifts. Elevator buttons didn’t have braille. A grocery store or restaurant could refuse to serve a person with a disability.

Click here to learn more about this important civil rights law.

Easterseals History with the ADA
Easterseals was a leading supporter of the ADA and actively lobbied in Washington D.C. to ensure its passage. Easterseals also created some of the most powerful advocacy pro-ADA public service campaigns with messages to support the law and its implementation. These famous posters were made for adults and children with disabilities to bring along to protests and events across the country. The posters illustration the dilemmas and desires of Americans with disabilities and helped the county understand the reasons for the legislation. After the passing of the ADA, Easterseals worked tirelessly to ensure that all people are empowered to access their rights under the ADA. Read more about Easterseals history with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and check out some of the historical ADA campaign posters below.

Disability Pride
We envision a world where every single one of us is 100% included and 100% empowered (Easterseals’ tagline and an idea that the ADA embodies). It means you take pride in your whole self (including your disability!), understand your limitations, and accept and love who you are. Many people view their disability as an integral part to who they are, rather than a flaw or something that should be separated from their identity. Disability pride emerged to promote human rights and in response to negative views on disability. Learn more on disability pride on Easterseals’ website with many links to further resources.

What’s Next for Disability Rights?
When building a better future, it’s important to recognize where we’ve been. It is with extreme gratitude that we recognize the pioneers, leaders, artists and activists of the Disability Rights and Inclusion movement –all of whom fought and continue to fight for a better future for people with disabilities. We honor these trailblazers as we continue the work towards building an accessible world for all. Judy Heumann is one of those leaders and her memoir “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist” is a must-read! She discusses this book, our continued fight for equal rights, and ‘what’s next’ for people with disabilities. Watch the recording on Easterseals Southern California’s YouTube page.

Also, Easterseals recent COVID-19 report found that children with disabilities were more likely to miss key developmental milestones during the pandemic and less likely to engage in virtual learning. The report also found that people with disabilities are more likely to be denied health care and be treated poorly when they do receive care. As far as we have come with the passing of the ADA in 1990, we still have a long way to go to ensure everyone is 100% empowered and 100% included in ALL aspects of life. Click here to listen to historic speeches and read stories about the importance of the ADA.

Test Your ADA Knowledge
Easterseals shared a quiz to see how much you know about the landmark ADA legislation and its impact on the disability community! If you read this blog post, you might have learned some important information to be able to show off your knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.

Remember to share your story on social media using #ThanksToTheADA #ADA31 and tagging @eastersealscolorado. Visit the Easterseals Colorado website to learn more about how we are joining the movement and leading the way to creating a Colorado where everyone, regardless of age or ability, is 100% included and 100% empowered.