Easterseals recently announced it has received a grant of $325,000 from Comcast NBCUniversal to provide assistive technology solutions addressing challenges faced by people with disabilities, veterans and seniors during and throughout the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Assistive technology has helped to break down barriers for people with disabilities for decades, providing them with greater opportunities to participate in their communities,” said Angela Williams, President and CEO of Easterseals. “But during this unprecedented time, these technology resources are even more critical so that people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, their families and caregivers have access to health care, education and employment opportunities. At this time, many of our clients cannot do that in person because of social distancing guidelines, and so we are grateful to Comcast NBCUniversal and its Foundation for this nearly decade-long partnership which has helped change so many lives.”
The partnership addresses the immediate needs resulting from the pandemic’s disruption to everyday life, as well as the recovery efforts and long-term solutions. More than 1.5 million people rely on the services and supports of Easterseals annually.
“We have long championed inclusion for individuals of all abilities, and now more than ever, integrating technology in more ways can support needs for Easterseals at both the National and local Affiliate levels to be a resource for their clients to improve the way they experience the world,” said Juan Otero, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Comcast Corporation and a member of the Easterseals National Board of Directors.
The grant will be distributed across Easterseals’ national network. Part of the funding will support a program to enable Easterseals to provide training to government agencies and other organizations on how to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as to fund a platform for Easterseals Affiliates and clients to connect digitally.
Easterseals Greater Houston will receive $40,000 of the grant funding, which will enable them to continue delivering critical services for their clients with the help of technology and digital solutions.
Since 2011, Easterseals has partnered with Comcast NBCUniversal to implement innovative technology solutions to advance digital literacy, improve the capability to communicate, as well as to accelerate employment success among its clients. To date, Comcast NBCUniversal has provided $44 million in cash and in-kind support.