Digital Inclusion Week starts on October 2, and we are excited to highlight some of the ways Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) is working toward closing the digital divide for people with disabilities.

This year’s theme is “Building Connected Communities,” signaling a turning point and a time of action for the digital inclusion movement.

While the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology for day-to-day living, the digital divide continues to grow for some communities, including the disability community. Digital Inclusion Week aims to raise awareness of solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs.

Adult Day Services participants use laptops from the Tech Lending Library to help with their job search.

“Technology has increasingly become a part of everyone’s day-to-day lives, but some communities have not been given the same opportunities as others,” said Reese Peterson, Director of the ESSC Lending Library. “The pandemic highlighted the fact that the disability community was not being given an equal opportunity to access and utilize tech. With the Technology Lending Library, we can bridge that divide and positively impact digital equity and inclusion for the community.”

At a glance: Participants served with our digital equity programs

ESSC is proud to be involved in several projects that advance digital equity among the disability community and beyond, in collaboration with five Regional Centers: Eastern Los Angeles, Frank D. Lanterman, San Gabriel/Pomona, Harbor, North Los Angeles County.

To date, we’ve served 500+ individuals through these programs.

Here’s a breakdown of the devices we’ve distributed to Easterseals participants and their families through programs like our Tech Lending Library:

· 310+ iPads

· 125+ Laptops

· 70+ JayPads (Includes ADS participants as well as Tech Lending Library participants)

Learn more about our digital equity offerings and programs:

Adult Day Services’ participant Jocelyn connects with her mom, Georgia on the JayPad – an Android tablet designed with specialized software tailored for individuals with disabilities to do things like automatically join meetings.

Technology Lending Library 

The Technology Lending Library program provides Laptops, iPads, JayPads (an Android tablet with a self-charging stand and a Zoom auto-join feature), training, and support to people with disabilities who receive services at North Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Pomona, Eastern Los Angeles, Frank D. Lanterman, and Harbor Regional Centers.

JayPad Tablet Training

As part of the Technology Lending Library Program, ESSC provides JayPad training to people with disabilities who are referred by one of five participating Regional Centers.

Hear Our Voices

Hear Our Voices is a multi-pronged program supporting ESSC’s participants of all ages impacted by communication delays or disorders resulting in complex communication needs.

We provide short- and long-term access to iPads with advanced communication applications for those who are in need. Interested participants can email vop@ess.org.

Free Wi-Fi

ESSC partnered with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Angeleno Connectivity Trust (ACT) Program to provide free Wi-Fi hotspot internet devices to those receiving Regional Center services who are struggling to access online classes and support services.

If you are interested in receiving a free Wi-Fi hotspot, please reach out to Director of the Technology Lending Library Reese Peterson at reese.peterson@essc.org or call (714)909-6135.

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ESSC is proud to support Digital Inclusion Week as we continue to find ways to ensure people with disabilities have access to technology so they can live independently in their communities. Learn more about Digital Inclusion Week.

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it’s important we recognize that both the disability rights movement and the Easterseals organization began with the objective of improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. 

A disabled German ex-serviceman working as a carpenter with the aid of a prosthetic arm, Germany, circa 1919. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A Little History

In 1918, Congress passed laws creating a rehabilitation program for World War I soldiers with a disability. Providing support for people with disabilities became more widespread, and it was in this environment that the Ohio Society for Crippled Children, which would eventually become Easterseals, was founded one year later. Disabled World War II veterans once again raised public awareness around the movement, and in 1945, Congress enacted Public Law 176, establishing what we know today as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

George H. W. Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act into law in 1990

Easterseals and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which eventually led to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This was the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities, which includes disability employment rights for federally funded programs. 

The disability rights movement achieved a major victory when President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law in 1990. While this has led to increasing opportunities for people with disabilities, studies show that there’s a lot more that must be done. Take a look back at these historic campaign posters that Easterseals ran in 1990 to promote the impact the ADA had on disability employment.    

Disability Employment Today

According to this report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 60 million people in the U.S. have a disability. Additionally in 2022, Bureau of Labor Statics data showed that the unemployment rate for people with a disability was twice as high as the rate for people without a disability.  

These Americans face various employment-related challenges such as being passed over for jobs they’re qualified for, making career transitions, and/or wage discrimination.  

While people with disabilities have historically been underrepresented in the labor force, currently, there is much work being done by policymakers to change this. Several of these initiatives include implementing inclusive hiring initiatives in state government, efforts to eliminate the subminimum wage, increasing mental health supports, and building capacity among service providers to ensure people have access to the employment supports they need. 

Recently, California passed Senate Bill 639, which will eliminate subminimum wage for people with disabilities as of January 1, 2025, making California the 13th state to end this practice. This is a historic but overdue victory for disability rights in California as it will bring greater independence and opportunities for people with disabilities.   

Easterseals Continues to Advocate for Change   

Easterseals Southern California is continually increasing awareness and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, especially through our WorkFirst Employment Services program. This service provides one-on-one, customized support and direct placement for people with disabilities and veterans re-entering the workforce. We also offer specialized employment services to support individuals who have committed non-violent offenses through our NextPath program in the Orange County area. 

As we look ahead to the future, we must challenge ourselves – what are we doing as individuals to increase awareness and provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities? We can each commit to improving our own spaces and organizations to include universal design and accessibility practices and by implementing the Disability Equality Index tool to eliminate barriers to independence.  

You can find more information and resources about National Disability Employment Awareness Month by visiting the U.S. Department of Labor website and by participating in the 31 Days of NDEAM challenge.  

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has ensured some modes of public transportation are accessible for people with disabilities, a large barrier remains when it comes to air travel. In fact, in 2021 alone, the Department of Transportation received 1,394 disability-related complaints.

In this video, Easterseals examines the issues with air travel accessibility, especially when it comes to using a wheelchair. From broken wheelchairs to fear of air travel, Easterseals Board Member Maria Serrao and Easterseals National Advocate Erin Hawley speak about their experiences traveling with a disability.

These stories from Maria and Erin are just a few of the many reported every year. Add your voice and advocate for accessible air travel by sharing your story with your representatives at house.gov and senate.gov.

Learn more by reading our recent blog post “Terrifying and Uncomfortable: The Struggles People with Disabilities Face while Flying.”

Written by Sylvia Munoz, Easterseals Risk and Safety Director of Training

From Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the influences and contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to the United States. In this blog post, Easterseals associate Sylvia Munoz, Risk and Safety Director of Training, shares about her background growing up in California as a Mexican-American female and how that plays an integral part in who she is and what motivates her.

My Family History

Francisco (right) and Juan (left) Marquez in front of their tractors with their family and employees. The brothers purchased adjacent properties on Dice and Los Nietos Road in Whittier.

In 1945, my grandfather Francisco and his brother Juan, who immigrated from La Piedad, Mexico to the U.S. in 1917, purchased land to farm and build homes for their families. In addition to corn, tomatoes and squash sold in grocery stores and local vegetable stands across Southern California, the farm grew watercress that the Campbell Soup Company used in V-8 Cocktail Juice; a partnership with Marquez Farms that lasted over 50 years.

While neither of my parents were able to attend college, that did not prevent them from being successful in life and business. They worked hard raising their six children while working the farm and family restaurant.

I worked with my siblings in both businesses from a young age and even while attending UCLA. During Christmas, we would help my grandmother make about 1,500 tamales for the family and field workers so they could enjoy a specialty from their Mexican heritage.

Sylvia’s grandfather is on the left next to his wife and mother, along with their children. Sylvia’s father is the tallest.

Between my four sisters and a brother, we earned six bachelor’s degrees, five master’s degrees, and two PhDs. I’m proud of our accomplishments, but even prouder that we each make it our mission to encourage and mentor others to do the same.

How My Family’s Heritage Has Influenced Me

Because I personally experienced the benefits of having advocates in my life, I’ve taken on roles to do the same for others. As a Gold Shield Alumni member at UCLA, I mentor students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s a privilege to support them as they discover their strengths while finding their place at UCLA.

I’m also a graduate of the HOPE Leadership Institute, which is the first and only statewide leadership program for professional Latinas. Their goal is to train Latinas in leadership and advocacy skills to create fundamental change within our own counties across California. This allows me to advocate for issues of concern for people of color with county and state government officials, as well as work with high school and college-age Latinas in building their confidence to advocate for their community.

A headshot of Sylvia Munoz

My Easterseals Experience

My personal life experience drives me to bring my authentic self and experiences to work. At Easterseals, I’ve had the privilege of advocating for our associates as an HR Director, HR Training Director, and my current role as Director of Training for Risk and Safety. As part of the safety team, my greatest pleasure is helping people stay safe at work, home and in the community.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

My celebration of Hispanic Heritage goes beyond just this month. I celebrate my culture year-round by participating as an advocate and seeking out cultural enrichment opportunities.

If you are looking for a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, check out this local self-guided mural tour in Santa Ana, CA. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about our history.

Discover More

Learn about Easterseals commitment to diversity and inclusion through our RISE (Respect, Inclusion, Self-Awareness, & Equity) initiative. RISE encompasses all of the elements we aspire to embody as an organization to support our participants, our associates, and our community.

Check out our careers page to discover new opportunities at Easterseals.

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (Sept. 10-17) is an annual opportunity to celebrate the incredible, selfless work of the professionals who support people with disabilities here at Easterseals Southern California. The majority of our staff is made up of Direct Support Professionals, and we are so grateful for their dedication to our participants.  

From Adult Day Services and Living Options to Autism Services and WorkFirst, each of our service lines is directly impacted by the talents and innovation of our Direct Support Professionals. To each and every associate who works with participants in one way or another, thank you for being the heart and soul of what we do at Easterseals.  

Watch Video: Family Caregivers Thank Easterseals Direct Support Professionals  

Family members of Easterseals participants express their gratitude to the staff who support their sons, daughters, and siblings.  

Learn how you can find a career as a Direct Support Professional by visiting our Careers page.