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Lasting Change Through National Disability Advocacy

Millions of individuals with disabilities face systemic barriers to healthcare, education, and independent living. Easterseals mobilizes national policy and grassroots advocacy to rewrite these rules—and ensure everyone has the support to thrive.

Easterseals protects and advances the fundamental rights, policies, and community-based programs that make supported independence and autonomy possible for tens of millions of individuals with disabilities.

Protecting the Lifeline People Count On

Predating most federal programs by decades, Easterseals has built and defended the safety net for individuals with disabilities since 1919. Today, programs like Medicaid, Head Start, and SCSEP provide the vital infrastructure supporting millions of children, adults, and older individuals. We champion the policies and care workforce that make independent living achievable—mobilizing nonpartisan advocacy to protect Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and safeguard special education under IDEA. In 2025 alone, our coordinated advocacy helped preserve or secure over $151 million in federal program funding—including an $85 million increase for Head Start—while mobilizing communities nationwide through action hubs like EastersealsAction.com.

Infographic detailing $151 Million+ in federal program funding preserved or secured in 2025 through coordinated national advocacy.
Infographic detailing $151 Million+ in federal program funding preserved or secured in 2025 through coordinated national advocacy. Increased funding results include Head Start (+$85 Million), SSVF (+$50 Million), WIOA Youth (+$11 Million), and HVRP (+$5 Million). Funding was successfully maintained for IDEA, SCSEP, Disability Rights Oversight, and Medicaid (moderated). The graphic also notes a 21% reduction in ODEP funding.

Training the Next Generation of Disability Leaders

True change starts with representation: "Nothing about us without us."  Easterseals expands opportunities for individuals with disabilities to amplify their voices, drive public policy, and lead systemic change. Through youth advocacy training, multi-media representation—including our Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong podcast and ES Gaming platform—and diverse digital storytellers, we equip self-advocates to reshape national narrative and policy.

Transforming Culture, Policy, & Public Perception

Easterseals actively dismantles outdated stigmas about disability while driving federal legislative progress. By leveraging high-impact media partnerships, major cultural initiatives like our America250 caregiving documentary, and targeted campaigns for Medicaid-funded disability services and accessible air travel, we keep disability rights at the top of the national policy agenda so lawmakers take decisive action.

America 250 | Caregiving Together

Watch the Short Film: How Caregiving Connects Us All

America’s story includes caregivers—because caregiving is a force that connects us all.

As part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, Easterseals is sharing the powerful stories from families and their experience with disability, caregiving, and the search for support. This short documentary highlights the essential role that disability services, caregiver resources, and community connections play in helping people live with greater independence and opportunity.

The Future of Disability Rights is Being Written Right Now

For over a century, Easterseals has defended vital programs, amplified self-advocates, and pushed for systemic change. But lasting change demands continuous action—and policy decisions made today will shape access to direct care workers, person-centered services, education, and independence for generations. Will you help protect these essential lifelines and ensure full opportunity becomes the standard for all?