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Maddie came to Easterseals Crossroads when she was 3 years old in 2006 with the diagnosis of congenital hydrocephalus. Maddie worked with physical therapists to increase her strength, balance and coordination. Maddie also worked with occupational therapists to improve her fine motor and visual motor skills.
Peter came to Easterseals Crossroads in 2008 while he was in high school; his teachers and his vocational rehabilitation counselor wanted to help Peter with his job possibilities beyond high school. Peter is a young man with autism who is also legally blind.
After working with Peter to learn more about his interests and skills, his employment consultant Jennifer Shaw helped him find a job in food services with Aramark on the campus of Butler University.
Easterseals Crossroads will once again participate in the annual Walking for Dreams Family and Pet Walk.
This fundraising event is a great community opportunity for everyone including our own staff, board members, families, friends and community partners. We participate in this event with other nonprofits in our area; once again, due to COVID, there will be an in-person walk on Sunday, May 23, and a virtual (on your own) walk.
DETAILS FOR THE IN-PERSON WALK
When
Sunday, May 23 | Check-in Opens: 1 p.m. | Walk Starts: 2 p.m.
Where
Meet outside Buggs Temple, now named Canal 337 Events | 337 W. 11th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
This year we have created teams in recognition of our service areas so that our community can learn more about what we do.
Easterseals Crossroads is pleased to partner with JPMorgan Chase to offer a financial webinar on Thursday, April 15, that will focus on tools and resources for people with disabilities. The webinar will benefit people with disabilities, parents/caregivers of those with disabilities and professionals in the field. The webinar is FREE, but participants must register.
If you or your organization would like to be an exhibitor at the Virtual Exhibit Hall, please contact AnneMarie Chambers at achambers@eastersealscrossroads.org.
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Virtual Expo Hall |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks, David Dreith, Easterseals Crossroads; Denise Steele, JPMorgan Chase; Jim Sinocchi, JPMorgan Chase |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | ABLE Account Workshop, Amy Corbin, Indiana ABLE Authority |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. | “A Drive to Thrive” Workshop, Anthony Pacilio, JPMorgan Chase; Bryan Gill, JPMorgan Chase |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Keynote Address, Aaron Likens |
| 1:00 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. | Closing Remarks, Easterseals Crossroads |
| 1:05 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Virtual Expo Hall |
Aaron Likens is an award-winning public speaker and author of Finding Kansas: Living and Decoding Asperger’s Syndrome.
When he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age 20, Aaron Likens began collecting his thoughts and experiences on paper–the highs, the lows, the challenges, and the unexpected joys. What he found was hope – not only for himself, but also for others with Asperger’s.
Now a sought-after speaker and blogger, he is passionate about sharing his insights into this often-misunderstood condition. He was the 2012 recipient of the Missouri Champions of Mental Health Award, and in 2013 he received the Youth Leadership Award for the state of Missouri. Since 2010, Aaron has given more than 600 presentations to more than 54,000 students, teachers, parents, police officers and professionals nationwide.
Aaron works as an ongoing autism ambassador with Easterseals Crossroads and other Easterseals affiliates across the United States.
Amy Corbin is the Executive Director of the Indiana ABLE Authority which oversees INvestABLE Indiana, the state’s 529A ABLE savings plan. Amy has worked for the State of Indiana for over 13 years and has an established background in social work and case management. In her years of service and in her current role she has worked on program development and implementation as well as state and federal advocacy efforts. As Executive Director she oversees program management and operations for the Indiana ABLE Authority and is the agency and board representative to elected officials, the public and the national ABLE industry.
Anthony Pacilio is a Vice President and Global Head of Autism at Work for JPMorgan Chase. In this role, he manages recruiting efforts, as well as developing candidate pipelines and ensuring best practices for ongoing support. Anthony has been with JPMorgan Chase for eight years, serving in a variety of technology roles in Consumer and Community Banking. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, he held various positions in the finance and healthcare industry at MBNA America, Bank of America and CIGNA.
Bryan Gill is the Operations Director for the Business Solutions Team (BeST) at JPMorgan Chase. BeST is committed to expanding the firm’s workforce talent pool by hiring differently abled employees with a focus on the intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) community. Prior to leading BeST, Bryan was a National Operations Manager for J.P. Morgan’s Commercial Bank. He has 30 years of experience in financial services, management and bank operations at the firm, including 18 years with the Commercial Bank and 12 years in Bank Card operations.
Denise Steele is a Community Engagement Manager, part of JPMorgan Chase’s Corporate Responsibility team and focuses on building enduring, authentic relationships with key stakeholders to support the firm’s long-term success and drive positive, lasting community-centered impact. She is also responsible for guiding the firm compliance requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act. Denise’s professional background includes over 30 years of banking experience including 15 years of community lending experience.
Partnering with Redux, offering free drying services for veterans’ hearing devices
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Nov. 5, 2020) – Easterseals Crossroads, a local nonprofit organization providing disability services, is hosting a media day to preview the “Remembering Our Fallen” from Indiana exhibit from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. recognizing Veterans Day, November 11, at Easterseals Crossroads, located at 4740 Kingsway Drive in Indianapolis.
“Remembering Our Fallen” is a touring photographic memorial honoring Indiana’s military who have fallen from The War on Terror since September 11, 2011. The exhibit includes both military and personal photos honoring the Hoosier men and women who have lost their lives for our country. Per CDC guidelines, all media guests visiting the memorial are required to provide and wear a cloth face covering or mask. Once conditions allow, the exhibit is scheduled to tour monthly throughout Indiana.
“Our hope for the Indiana exhibit is that people will never take their freedom for granted and know they are being protected at all costs,” said Buzz Smith, community outreach coordinator for veteran services at Easterseals Crossroads. “Hoosiers should feel safer knowing there are many more of these heroes all around the world who have given up everything so we can feel safe at home.”
Indianapolis-based Redux is partnering with Easterseals Crossroads to host the preview of this Indiana exhibit. Veterans in attendance through the Easterseals Crossroads veteran team will experience Redux’s patented technology that completely removes moisture from hearing devices in just 15 minutes. Hearing injury is the top service-related medical issue for veterans, and many veterans wear hearing devices as a result. It can take 25 to 30 days for a veteran’s hearing device to be repaired.
“When a person cannot hear properly, they may feel disconnected, isolated and even depressed,” said Reuben Zielinksi, Redux president and co-founder. “Our drying technology is particularly useful for veterans because it quickly and effectively improves the performance of their hearing aids.”
During the exhibit preview, Redux representatives will demonstrate the drying process with hearing aids, phones and tablets. Redux is currently planning similar drying events for veterans in conjunction with the future touring of the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibit throughout Indiana. Please follow Redux on Facebook and LinkedIn to receive updates about those events.
Bruce Schnaith, vice president of workforce development at Easterseals Crossroads, and members from the veteran team will also be available to speak about the services available to veterans at Easterseals Crossroads.
“We made a conscious decision to expand and grow services to veterans, and that was in response to the ever-growing need of service men and women returning home from active duty. As they’re reintegrating back into civilian life, many veterans experience tremendous barriers and challenges,” Schnaith said. “The services we provide at Easterseals Crossroads assist veterans getting back to work but also with other initiatives, such as housing, education, health care and other types of services.”
To learn more about the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibit and veteran services at Easterseals Crossroads, watch a video here.
Redux is partnering with Easterseals Crossroads on their year-end matching gift campaign, Stronger Together. From now through December 31, any donation up to $25,000 to Easterseals Crossroads will be matched by the generosity of partner Redux.
For more about Easterseals Crossroads or to donate, visit www.eastersealscrossroads.org.
To learn more about Redux services, please visit www.redux.com.
About Easterseals Crossroads
As one of 68 Easterseals affiliates, Easterseals Crossroads has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for over 80 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easterseals Crossroads offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. We provide top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we serve. For more, visit eastersealscrossroads.org.
About Redux
Redux has over 30 issued U.S. and international patents and uses this patented drying process to remove moisture from hearing instruments and electronics. Since 2013, Redux has been saving phones, cameras, tablets and other consumer devices. More than 2 million customers have subscribed to Redux’s drying services at over 2,000 wireless communication retailers. Now this innovative technology is changing the lives of the millions of individuals who depend on hearing instruments to improve their lives. The Redux dryer safely and quickly removes all moisture from hearing aids, extending their life and keeping their users in the conversation. To learn more about Redux and its drying technology, visit www.redux.com.
Health care and COVID are top issues for voters with disabilities
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Oct. 30, 2020) – The nation’s leading disability services organization has released its “Easterseals’ State of Voters with Disabilities Survey,” which finds this vital subset of the general population politically active, engaged and enthusiastic about voting this year, with more than 30 million expected to vote by Election Day.
The survey sheds new light on the political clout of the nation’s largest, most diverse and increasing group of eligible voters — and was conducted among a nationally representative sample of adults with disabilities, Oct. 20-25, by Pathfinder Opinion Research.
To date, 89% of people with disabilities are registered, with some 47% (or 15.9 million people) already voted, and another 49% noting they “definitely” or “probably” will vote in this election (or 16.5 million people). Interest is high within the disability community, with more than half saying they are “extremely enthusiastic” about voting, and 65% noting they’re more enthusiastic about voting in this election, as compared to previous elections. A recent report by Rutgers University is reinforcing, estimating eligible voters with disabilities have grown by at least 19.8% since 2008, if not more.
Overwhelmingly, people with disabilities are not satisfied with the current performance of their elected officials. And, as a result, fully two-thirds of those surveyed give them a negative performance rating when it comes to addressing the most pressing issues of the disability community.
Americans with Disabilities Moved by Health Care and COVID-19
Health care and COVID-19 are, by far, the two top issues driving voters with disabilities to the polls. All other issues, such as crime, public safety, immigration, employment, the environment and the Supreme Court, rank far lower in importance.
“This election is particularly consequential for millions of Americans with disabilities. The presidency, control of the Senate and oral arguments around the Affordable Care Act are all to be determined over the next two weeks,” said Easterseals President and CEO Angela F. Williams. “With all that’s at stake, and the fact people with disabilities are concerned about health care and federal and state officials’ response to COVID-19, it’s not surprising that they’re voting in droves.”
Americans with Disabilities Support Across Party Lines
Regardless of political party or leaning, voters with disabilities expressed deep support for:
As a voting bloc, people with disabilities account for approximately 38 million voting-age adults — outnumbering eligible voters who are Black (30 million) and Hispanic (32 million), according to Pew Research Center — yet they are often under-represented or face barriers to participating in the country’s political process. In this competitive election, these survey findings suggest potentially millions of Americans with disabilities will be unable to vote because of a lack of accessible accommodations and added concerns for their health and safety during a pandemic.
Additionally:
Despite the barriers they may face, “the disability community is galvanizing around this election and making sure their voices are heard at the ballot box. They are showing up to be counted by whatever accessible means necessary,” Williams added.
Review the full “Easterseals’ State of Voters with Disabilities” report and key findings developed in partnership with Easterseals Southern California and Pathfinder Opinion Research. The survey expands upon the nonprofit organization’s ongoing social campaigns including “We Are the 25,” urging voters with disabilities to ensure they are well-represented at the polls and included in all facets of community life.
Methodology Statement: Easterseals’ State of Voters with Disabilities Survey
These findings represent the results of a survey conducted by Pathfinder Opinion Research from October 20-25, 2020 among n=800 adult Americans with disabilities. Interviews were conducted online utilizing a national research panel. Each respondent indicated having at least one of the disability types used by the Census to categorize disabled persons (hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, or independent living difficulties). Data were weighted by gender, age, race, education and geographic region based on the American Community Survey’s population characteristics of Americans with disabilities. Within the full sample of adult Americans with disabilities is a subset of registered voters (n=713) and registered voters who are likely to vote in the upcoming Presidential election (n=683).
About Easterseals
Easterseals has served as an indispensable resource for individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors and their families for more than 100 years. Together, its 67 affiliates in communities nationwide serve 1.5 million people annually through high-quality programs, including autism services, early intervention, workforce development and adult day care. Driven by its purpose to change the way the world defines and views disability, Easterseals makes profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day. Learn more at easterseals.com.
About Easterseals Crossroads
As one of 68 Easterseals affiliates, Easterseals Crossroads has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for over 80 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easterseals Crossroads offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. We provide top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we serve. For more, visit eastersealscrossroads.org.
About Pathfinder Opinion Research
Pathfinder Opinion Research is a national public opinion research firm serving non-profit, issue advocacy, corporate, public affairs, and political clients who need a sound measure of public opinion and strategic advice on how to turn research into action.
Program features Aaron Likens, autism ambassador and new flagman for Indianapolis 500
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Oct. 21, 2020) – Easterseals Crossroads, a local nonprofit organization providing disability services, is celebrating the 75th anniversary of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month by partnering with two other national Easterseals affiliates on a special virtual program focused on individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
“Mining for Gold: Finding, Hiring and Nurturing Talented Employees with Disabilities” takes place Tuesday, October 27 at 4 p.m., targeting employers, parents, people with disabilities and special educators. It is free to attendees but requires registration here.
The webinar will feature Aaron Likens, Easterseals ambassador and new IndyCar flagman. Likens is an award-winning public speaker and author of “Finding Kansas: Living and Decoding Asperger’s Syndrome.” Diagnosed with autism later in life, Aaron helps businesses better understand the talents and value individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace as well as the need to include disability in their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. He also provides useful strategies, resources and inspiration for people with disabilities and other special needs who are seeking employment.
“There is so much human potential in every person on the autism spectrum,” Likens said. “Whether I’m speaking to law enforcement, parents, teachers or classmates, the goal is just to get as much understanding about autism as possible.”
The Easterseals program will include a recorded interview with Likens by Easterseals Arkansas CEO Ron Ekstrand, along with several short videos from employers on the benefits of employing people with disabilities and their lessons learned. Aaron will field a 15-minute live question and answer session after the interview.
“This year, we are celebrating 75 years of National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Easterseals Crossroads President and CEO David Dreith. “This proof-of-concept program was a great opportunity to get involved with an initiative providing insights to employers, individuals and parents about working with and hiring people with disabilities. And the fact that Aaron, who is such a highly-sought-after speaker and ambassador for Easterseals on a national level, also has a connection with Indianapolis through his love of racing — that makes it an even more perfect fit. We look forward to having him share his story with audiences throughout the Indianapolis area and across the country.”
A former resident of Indianapolis, Likens has gone to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his father since he was three years old. A huge race fan, Aaron became the head flagman for the St. Louis Karting Association at age 13, which made him one of the youngest chief starters in American racing. Likens serves as the National Series flagman for SuperKarts USA. He was recently in the flag stand for the IndyCar Harvest GP races on October 2-3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Easterseals Crossroads works with children and adults with disabilities and special needs and their families, with additional support areas serving veterans and military families, seniors and caregivers, to promote growth, dignity and independence by providing appropriate and progressive services in central Indiana.
Visit eastersealscrossroads.org for more about the services offered through Easterseals Crossroads.
About Easterseals Crossroads
Easterseals Crossroads has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for over 80 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easterseals Crossroads offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. We provide top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we serve. For more, visit eastersealscrossroads.org.
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