Notes from the Hill

Posted by Katy Beh Neas on May 30th, 2007

I’ve been doing public policy for more than 20 years, and I’ve seen a lot of issues rise and fall. The issues surrounding the needs of children and adults with disabilities keep rising to the top. I’m hopeful that we as a society will do something meaningful to help these families.

As Director of Congressional Relations for Easter Seals, I …Read More » »

How do we define “appropriate” education?

Posted by Patricia Wright on May 22nd, 2007

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities have a right to a free, appropriate, public education. But how do we define what’s appropriate for each child that enters a school system and is in need of services?

Ideally, an Individualized Educational Program team collaborates to define what that individualized education should entail for each child. But …Read More » »

Watching Maurice at work

Posted by Jim Williams on May 21st, 2007

Last Friday night I attended an Easter Seals event where our 2007 adult representative Maurice Snell played a prominent role — as presenter of an award to one of our leading corporate partners, Safeway.

Maurice stood at the podium in front of hundreds of people and was in complete control — of himself and especially the crowd. While his part …Read More » »

A great Celebration of Giving!

Posted by Maurice Snell on May 21st, 2007

I really enjoyed myself at the Easter Seals Celebration of Giving event a few days ago! Every year Easter Seals honors its corporate partners at this event. This year we gathered in Las Vegas.

I was fortunate to meet many people, especially former youth and adult representatives such as Marti Clark, Palmer Harston, Matty Gaughan, Ryan Odens, …Read More » »

Live from the Palmer House

Posted by Beth Finke on April 30th, 2007

Hello everyone! I am blogging from the annual Easter Seals Training Conference. This year it’s at the Palmer House Hilton, a legendary old Chicago hotel — Frank Sinatra used to hang out here during visits. Easter Seals staff from around the United States and Canada and Ability First Australia are the ones hanging out here this week, though.

Well, we’re doing …Read More » »

Blogging by ear

Posted by Beth Finke on April 27th, 2007

Hello, I’m Beth Finke, Easter Seals’ Interactive Community Coordinator. I’m thrilled to be hearing from you all. What that fancy “Interactive Community Coordinator” title means is that I’m the one moderating this new autism blog at Easter Seals. I’ll be reading through blog comments on a daily basis and forwarding your comments to Easter Seals blog authors and information and …Read More » »

Shared space on the ‘L’

Posted by Patricia Wright on April 20th, 2007

My professional life of working with people with disabilities brings me joy every day. And, seeing people with disabilities out and about and living their daily lives in our shared community brings an instant smile to my face.

Living in Chicago, I get to ride the ‘L’ train to/from work everyday. Accessible transportation is a huge issue …Read More » »

Texas is a BIG state

Posted by Maurice Snell on April 17th, 2007

HOWDY, to you (the people at Easter Seals)! First of all, my beloved grandmother passed away Easter Sunday afternoon. I saw it coming, but it was a relief for my family that she got rewarded of going home to God. She lived a wonderful 86 years of her life, and I was fortunate to spend 23 years with her. She …Read More » »

The Easter Seals Web site is DA BOMB!

Posted by Maurice Snell on April 10th, 2007

As Easter Seals’ 2007 Adult Representative, Maurice Snell shares his story with others about living with autism. Maurice also is a classroom aide and mentor at Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago (IL), his former school. Watch Maurice’s movie to learn how Easter Seals helped to change his life. This is Maurice’s first post about his recent travels for Easter …Read More » »

A big tent

Posted by Jim Williams on April 6th, 2007

Since we launched this blog a few days ago, I’ve had many phone calls and emails from Easter Seals board members, staff and affiliates asking me about Easter Seals’ position on topics like chelation therapy and other things mentioned in various comments.

Fundamentally, Easter Seals doesn’t take a position on these kinds of issues. Our goal is to provide an …Read More » »