Funding Will Advance Digital Literacy Training
for Young Adults with Disabilities to Enhance Employment Skills and
Underwrite National Study to Determine Digital Equity and Access
Among BIPOC Populations with Disabilities
CHICAGO, June 7, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Easterseals, the nation's leading nonprofit
provider of services and advocacy for 61M individuals with disabilities in the United States, has received a two-year
grant of $1.3M from the Comcast
NBCUniversal Foundation to expand digital literacy training among
young adults with disabilities in employment programs at seven
Easterseals Affiliates nationwide while also funding a national
study to determine digital equity and access among BIPOC
populations with disabilities.
Easterseals Crossroads (Indianapolis,
IN), Easterseals Washington, Easterseals Colorado,
Easterseals Arkansas, Easterseals Greater Houston, Easterseals New
Hampshire, and Easterseals Massachusetts will receive grants
totaling $350,000 to expand digital
literacy within their employment training programs for young adults
with disabilities. Students ages 16-24 with intellectual and/or
developmental disabilities will learn how to navigate the internet,
stay safe online, communicate via email, create PowerPoint
presentations, develop resumes, use assistive technology, and
more.
Funding will also support a national audit and analysis of
digital literacy programs offered throughout Easterseals' network
of 71 Affiliates to identify and scale digital literacy programming
with the highest impact and outcomes through 2024 funding by the
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.
Finally, a national study will be underwritten to determine
digital equity and access among BIPOC populations with
disabilities. Working in collaboration with Easterseals Affiliates,
university researchers, policymakers, and advocacy organizations,
the study will identify the current state of access to technology,
including broadband, as well as digital literacy and skills
training for BIPOC populations with disabilities while determining
markets in which digital literacy inequity is most acute and
success stories that can be replicated nationally to address such
inequities.
Upon completion of the study in early 2024, Easterseals and Comcast
NBCUniversal will convene a Digital Equity Summit to share study
findings and recommendations to address disparities in equity and
access which may exist within BIPOC populations with
disabilities.
"Easterseals is honored to have the opportunity to work with
Comcast NBCUniversal in our shared commitment to equity, inclusion,
and access for people with disabilities through our partnership of
more than 20 years," says Easterseals President and CEO
Kendra E. Davenport. "Digital access
and literacy are critical to the children and adults with
disabilities, including veterans and older adults, served by
Easterseals nationwide. These digital resources are essential
to breaking down barriers to employment, education, transportation,
healthcare, and community that people with disabilities often
face."
"Far too many people with disabilities do not have access to the
digital tools and resources that will help ensure their full
participation in society and life," said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP & Chief Diversity
Officer, Comcast Corporation and President of Comcast NBCUniversal
Foundation. "We are so pleased to further our partnership with
Easterseals to deliver essential digital training and further
equitable employment outcomes for young adults with
disabilities."
Since 2011, Easterseals has partnered with Comcast NBCUniversal
to advance equity, inclusion, and access to innovative technology
to advance digital literacy and accelerate success among people
with disabilities, veterans, and older adults. To date, Comcast
NBCUniversal has provided Easterseals with more than $54 million in cash and in-kind support.
Comcast NBCUniversal's ongoing partnership with Easterseals is
part of Project UP, the company's comprehensive initiative to
advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited
possibilities.
About Easterseals
Easterseals is leading the way to
full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability
and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked
tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand
local access to healthcare, education, employment, and
transportation. And we won't rest until every one of us is valued,
respected, and accepted. Through our national network of
Affiliates, Easterseals provides essential services and
on-the-ground supports to millions of children and adults with
disabilities, including veterans and seniors, each year – from
early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to
autism services, medical rehabilitation and employment programs,
transportation and mobility services, veterans' programs, and more.
Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively
shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the
one in four Americans with disabilities today. Together, we're
empowering people with disabilities, families, and communities to
be full and equal participants in society. To learn more, visit
www.easterseals.com.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:
CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects
people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on
broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer
relationships across the United
States and Europe. We
deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast
Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading
entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed
Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC
and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock,
NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and
provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in
the United States and Asia.
Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more
information.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/easterseals-announces-two-year-grant-of-1-3m-from-the-comcast-nbcuniversal-foundation-301844330.html
SOURCE Easterseals