Our feature in the America 250 documentary shines a light on the people who make so much possible every day: family caregivers. Watch our feature and learn how Easterseals Affiliates support families and caregivers nationwide: https://hq.easterseals.com/Caregiving-America250

Disability pride starts with access. This Disability Pride Month, we're celebrating the importance of compassionate, individualized care. Easterseals’ disability services help people pursue their goals, build independence, and participate fully in their communities.

I have a really excellent episode for you this week with not one but *three* guests, Kendra Davenport of @easterseals.bsky.social, Diane Wilush of @ucpnational.bsky.social and Barbara Merrill of @therealancor.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...

Proud moment for our network: Easterseals has been named one of Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2026. The people behind this work are what make Easterseals special, and this recognition belongs to them. https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-greatest-workplaces-2026

Twenty-seven years after Olmstead, community integration remains a right. Recent DOJ guidance calls decades of progress into question. People with disabilities deserve the support to live with dignity, independence, and choice in the communities they call home. https://bit.ly/4enU9ky

The decision to move special ed programs out of the DOE and transfer the Office for Civil Rights to DOJ would harm students with disabilities. Special education belongs in education. Disability rights deserve protections. Easterseals will keep fighting for both. https://hq.easterseals.com/4xveiwt

Great work by this Girl Scout troop in MA who used their cookie money to 3D-print and assemble a special wheelchair for young children! The group of third-graders was excited to create the Toddler Mobility Trainer following a visit to The Boston Home. https://hq.easterseals.com/4ulXwgo

A bike. A little practice. A lot of cheering from the sidelines. Congratulations to the riders who participated in this year's iCan Bike camp at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center! https://hq.easterseals.com/4vBS4r4

Congratulations to The Ride Ahead on winning an Emmy for Outstanding Social Issue Doc! 🏆 The film shines light on disability, independence & the experiences of young adults navigating the transition to adulthood. Well deserved recognition for an important story! https://hq.easterseals.com/49IjqTW

States are spending millions to implement Medicaid work requirements. The biggest risk isn't whether people qualify, it's whether they can navigate the paperwork. Healthcare helps people work. Administrative barriers shouldn't cost eligible people their coverage: https://hq.easterseals.com/4xm5OYE

We're excited to share that our Early Childhood Education Impact Film, Katelyn, received a Silver Telly Award! 🏆 Thank you to Katelyn and her family for sharing their story, and to Bananabones and the entire creative team for helping bring it to life. https://hq.easterseals.com/4uucAZD

Federal grants help nonprofits deliver services that millions of people rely on every day. Funding decisions should be based on community needs and impact, not politics. The people who depend on these programs deserve stability and certainty. https://hq.easterseals.com/3QcCdzX

On our podcast, fashion & beauty influencer Steffi Gonzalez shares what it has meant to connect with Easterseals Florida. This conversation highlights the importance of representation & making sure disabled people have access to support, resources, & community. https://hq.easterseals.com/43sWRiB

Austin grew up feeling unseen, so he turned to music. Now he's bringing disability, identity, and joy to dance pop on his own terms. Read Austin's full blog: https://www.easterseals.com/about-us/community-stories/becoming-disabled-pop-star-self-expression-and-building-community

This week, Easterseals Crossroads opened their sensory garden! The 10,000 sq. foot space welcomes children and adults with disabilities to engage with functional sensory experiences built to appeal to all five senses. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RXBZ06

The Media Access Awards, disability representation's longest-running honor, have officially relaunched as The Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards—the DARCYs! https://variety.com/2026/film/news/media-access-awards-relaunch-easterseals-disability-arts-1236759960/

Steffi Gonzalez shares that her social series started with a simple realization: the way she navigates the world may look different, but the end goal is the same. From driving to doing dishes, disability can challenge assumptions about what’s considered “normal.” https://hq.easterseals.com/3QboF7U

A new rule will require millions of people to prove they're working to keep their Medicaid. We've seen this before: in Arkansas, around 18,000 people lost coverage in months because the paperwork was impossible. Read our full statement: https://hq.easterseals.com/49DTWXD

Fashion & beauty influencer Steffi Gonzalez reflects on the moment her husband encouraged her to stop hiding her wheelchair in photos — a shift that changed the way she saw herself & ultimately re-shaped her content creation journey. https://bit.ly/4x2Jt1W

Motivational Speaker and Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern CT Board of Directors member Dave Stevens shares his experience with adaptive fashion—and how it’s driving confidence, visibility, and real change for people with disabilities. Read Dave's full blog: https://bit.ly/3PTRwxi

Baseball is better when everyone gets to play! Thanks to the Detroit Tigers, Nike, Easterseals MORC and volunteers who helped make Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids possible, bringing children with disabilities onto the field for a day of unforgettable memories. https://hq.easterseals.com/4u4SAwq

When we prioritize mental health and recognize disability as part of the human experience, we create stronger communities where individuals and families can thrive. Support is first step toward healing. Watch Zac's full story: https://www.easterseals.com/explore-resources/understanding-disability

For more than 20 years, Easterseals has seen the impact of SCSEP firsthand. This program helps older adults build skills, earn income & connect to their communities. At a time when more older adults want to work, we should strengthen opportunity not eliminate it. https://hq.easterseals.com/4wRCn06

In this week’s episode of Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong, fashion & beauty influencer Steffi Gonzalez talks about protecting her mental health as a content creator, knowing when to put the phone down, and staying connected to life offline. https://hq.easterseals.com/steffi

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid.” — Harry S. Truman Today, we remember and honor the service members who gave their lives for our country and reflect on the lasting impact of their sacrifice.

This week, Sec RFK Jr. connected concerns about fraud to rising autism diagnoses. Families deserve accountability & confidence in the supports they rely on. But conversations should remain grounded in evidence & focused on ensuring access to trusted services. https://bit.ly/49djcDZ

In Forbes, Kendra Davenport shares why the small businesses struggling to find and keep great employees may be overlooking their best option. Read more: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2026/05/21/the-workforce-strategy-small-businesses-are-overlooking/

Caregivers play a vital role in supporting others, and their well-being matters too. Easterseals offers trusted resources that help caregivers manage stress, build resilience, and stay supported. Explore resources: https://hq.easterseals.com/resources

New in @thehill.com: Easterseals CEO Kendra Davenport joined leaders from ANCOR & UCP to highlight the growing strain facing the home- & community-based care workforce - & why strengthening HCBS is critical nationwide. https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5883644-home-community-care-crisis/

On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we are excited about Apple’s new accessibility announcements that show how technology can expand communication access, independence, and accessibility when people with disabilities are part of the conversation from the start. www.apple.com/newsroom/202...

Mental health support looks different for everyone. Disability services should reflect that. Zac, a US Navy Veteran, found that type of compassionate, individualized care with Dr. Duquette. Watch Zac's full story: https://www.easterseals.com/explore-resources/understanding-disability

Air travel is already difficult for many people with disabilities. Accessibility services exist because people need them to travel safely. Treating wheelchair assistance like a shortcut or “travel hack” only adds more strain and skepticism to systems people rely on every day. https://bit.ly/4uQXwpl

Easterseals President & CEO Kendra Davenport joined the Beneath the Transaction podcast to talk about authentic leadership, vulnerability, and creating workplaces where people feel genuinely supported and connected. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LNHcSvnz2YCc5Khwqh22b?si=pLdib515TWWGcNbeyA1AHw

The Department of Education announced $144 million in IDEA funding this week. Sustained investment in IDEA services matters. Strong special education systems help students succeed while supporting families and caregivers who rely on these services every day. https://bit.ly/437JJ1Y

Mental health needs are not one-size-fits-all, especially for disabled people and caregivers. Easterseals provides individualized care that meets people where they are. Explore resources and learn about mental health and disability at: https://hq.easterseals.com/resources

We can all agree that people eligible for care should get it. The recent Medicaid funding freeze in California means less care for eligible people. Funding freezes create uncertainty for people who rely on home care to live in their communities just like everyone else. https://politi.co/43aW7hH

Today is the last day of National Transportation Week. Accessible transportation means freedom, opportunity, and connection. We’re calling for a future where transportation works for everyone. That means systems designed with people with disabilities in mind from the start. https://bit.ly/3O7sUR0

Every person’s needs are different. Easterseals meets people where they are with services designed to support independence, confidence, and quality of life. Learn more at https://hq.easterseals.com/resources

Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language is now streaming on Disney+ — musical numbers from Frozen 2, Encanto, and Moana 2 reimagined in ASL, created with Deaf West Theatre and the Deaf community. Stories that belong to everyone. This is how it's done. https://bit.ly/4cYlPuv

Mental health care looks different for everyone. For Zac, a U.S. Navy veteran, it meant finding support, stability, and a renewed sense of purpose. Learn more about Easterseals disability and mental health resources: https://hq.easterseals.com/resources

What does it take to grow a national nonprofit and make sure people actually know where to turn for support? Kendra Davenport joined On The Ground to share what’s driving Easterseals forward, from expanding awareness of services to using storytelling to show real impact. https://apple.co/4ewqK8q

More families are stepping into caregiving roles and it’s reshaping work, finances, and daily life. Without strong support systems, families are left to fill in the gaps. https://nyti.ms/4wlzDrR

We hosted Advocacy Week in DC last week, bringing together affiliates from across the country to advocate and connect. Thanks to Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker and Caprice Knapp for joining us and sharing updates on disability employment and Medicaid. We appreciated their time and perspectives!

For both disabled people and caregivers, mental health care is a critical part of disability support. When care is individualized and accessible, it strengthens well-being, stability, and quality of life for entire families. Explore resources at: https://hq.easterseals.com/resources

From early childhood through adulthood, true autism acceptance means recognizing that caregivers need ongoing support too. Reliable information, services, mental health resources, and community connection all matter. Explore trusted resources: easterseals.com/understandingdisability

In our latest episode of Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong, Comedian and The Traitors cast member, Ron Funches! Ron brings a unique perspective as an autistic adult and a caregiver to his autistic son. Listen to the full conversation with Ron wherever you get your podcasts!

Meet Paige, a 13-year-old Youth Ambassador at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center who is building confidence through Easterseals therapy. She also represented Easterseals Rehabilitation Center at this year’s Telethon, which raised $912K+ to support local services. https://bit.ly/4sTPSt7

Government websites are how people apply for services, complete forms, and get critical information. When those systems aren’t built to work for people with disabilities, it creates barriers that have real consequences - missed deadlines and delayed care. https://bit.ly/41NHRLg

Autism acceptance means meeting people where they are. It means recognizing that every autistic person is different and support should reflect that. Learn more about autism acceptance and watch our Understanding Autistic Traits series at: easterseals.com/understandingdisability

Over 1 in 3 caregivers in the U.S. have a disability themselves. That’s a reality too often overlooked, and it has real consequences for families and the workforce. Supporting caregivers means recognizing the full reality of care and building systems that reflect it. https://bit.ly/3OwFtWe