Page 8 - 2020 MAA Program

For more than 100 years Easterseals has ensured that the needs of children and adults with with disabilities are met with with services to help them live learn work and play in their communities As America’s largest nonprofit health care organization Easterseals is committed to the the comprehensive health and wellness of the the more than 1 4 million people we we serve each year Since our founding in in in in in in 1919 after Ohio businessman Edgar F Allen lost his son in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a streetcar accident Easterseals has been at at the the forefront of of important change by making a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a profound positive difference in in in in in in people’s lives every day Whether helping to eradicate polio supporting returning veterans from WWII or or or or advocating for legislation such as as the the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Easterseals continues to serve a a a a a a a a a a vital and important role in in in our nation A crucial part of of our mission is is is is to to to change change the the the the the way way the the the the the world defines and views disability One the the the the the ways to to to influence change change change is is is is through the the the the the power of of entertainment Entertainment has the the the the the ability ability to to to inspire and and and and change change people’s perceptions about who we we we we are how how we we we we see ourselves and and and and how how we we we we understand and and and empathize with other people people Together Easterseals is is is working alongside the the entertainment industry to to to advance disability representation We work work to to to to bring tangible employment opportunities to to to to people with disabilities and increase the the volume of of stories being shared through efforts such as as as the the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a filmmaking contest offering important mentorships and opportunities to to to build an an an entertainment career in in in in in front of of or or behind the camera Through our partnership with with the the Media Access Awards we honor and and applaud those who are doing the the the best work By participating in in in in in key industry events and and and film festivals partnering with with studios entertainment media and and and and organizations we have brought attention to to to the the the previously ignored need for for authentic disability inclusion and and and and stories We We continue to to to to push for for for real and and and and systemic change We We hope that you will support us us us in in in in in in our efforts to to to build a a a a a a a a a a a a a world where everyone is is is 100% 100% included and and and 100% 100% empowered Learn more by visiting EastersealsInEntertainment org