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Lasting Change Through National Disability Advocacy

Millions of people with disabilities face everyday barriers to healthcare, education, and housing. Easterseals leads national and local advocacy to remove these obstacles so everyone can thrive.

Easterseals provides expert caregiving and support services across disabilities and stages of life while advocating for policies and programs that give millions of people with disabilities the freedom to live more independently. 

On this page: 

Protecting the Lifeline People Count On

Easterseals has been defending essential support systems since 1919, long before most federal disability programs existed. 

Today, millions of families rely on Medicaid, Head Start, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). We bring communities together across party lines to protect these essential lifelines—safeguarding special education (IDEA), expanding workforce training, and preserving home- and community-based services (HCBS) for people with disabilities and their caregivers.

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.

Transforming Culture, Policy, & Public Perception

Easterseals pushes for fair laws while challenging old stereotypes about disability. Through methods like action alerts, news campaigns, and documentaries, we make sure lawmakers prioritize disability issues. 

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Watch the Short Film: How Caregiving Connects Us All

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

Training the Next Generation of Disability Leaders

Real change happens when disabled people lead the conversation: "Nothing about us without us." Easterseals expands national platforms for self-advocates to address lawmakers and communities—through youth advocacy training, diverse digital storytellers, and multi-media representation, including our Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong podcast and ES Gaming platform.

The Future of Disability Rights is Being Written Right Now

For more than 100 years, Easterseals has protected vital programs and supported people with disabilities. But keeping these protections in place takes ongoing work, and decisions made today will shape care for decades to come. 

Join us to help protect these programs and keep independence accessible for everyone.