A Champion for Kids with Physical Disabilities.
We believe children and youth with physical disabilities deserve to have a voice.
Your support will help them be heard.
Changing the lives of kids with physical disabilities.
Easter Seals raises funds and provides life-changing programs and services for children and youth with physical disabilities in Ontario. A trusted partner and champion since 1922, we continue to stand with the kids and families we serve to ensure their voices are heard and their need for essential equipment is met. We also strive to provide opportunities to experience acceptance and develop the self-confidence and life skills needed for today’s world. However, we do not work alone. It is only through the generous spirit of our donors and volunteers that we are empowered to change the lives of kids with physical disabilities.
Creating a more inclusive and accessible Ontario.
From Windsor to Ottawa and remote communities in Northern Ontario, Easter Seals offers support to children and youth with physical disabilities across the province. In 2020, we served nearly 500 Ontario regions and communities.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
Easter Seals Ontario is committed to helping children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities and their families. Through the generous support of our donors and volunteers, Easter Seals provides quality services and programs and acts as an effective voice for their needs and interests.
Vision
Easter Seals Ontario will enable all children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities to reach their full potential make the absolute most of their abilities and live their lives to the fullest.
Our Core Values
Be Bold
We challenge ourselves to embrace change by seeking opportunities for innovation and growth.
Stronger Together
We deliver quality experiences for children, families, donors, and supporters through engagement and collaboration.
Be a Champion
We deliver on what we promise with integrity and professionalism. We lead by example as a trusted partner and champion for children and youth with physical disabilities.
Make a Difference
We conduct ourselves with compassion and determination to make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.
Easter Seals is a registered charitable organization that helps children and youth with physical disabilities from all backgrounds. We assist families with the purchase of essential mobility and accessibility equipment that allows their children to live with greater independence, dignity and freedom in their daily lives. Easter Seals is also a leader in providing inclusive, specialized recreational programming through our two fully accessible camp properties near Perth (Camp Merrywood) and London (Camp Woodeden) and through our remote camp platforms. In addition, Easter Seals offers post-secondary scholarships and provides access to information and resources, and public education and awareness.
What We Do
Equipment Funding
We provide funding for essential mobility and accessibility equipment of up to $3,000 per year, per child to help purchase equipment such as wheelchair, walkers, ramps or lifts. Having the right equipment can offer kids freedom from pain and help improve their daily quality of life. Find out more.
Fully Accessible Camp
Our camps offer kids with physical disabilities the chance to connect and make friends in a fun, inclusive environment that is tailored to their strengths and abilities. At our two fully accessible summer camps, kids have the opportunity to stay away from home and experience a wide range of fully accessible activities, such as a high ropes course, indoor climbing wall, sailing, kayaking, white-water rafting and so much more. Visit the Easter Seals camp website for more information.
Ambassador Program
Our Ambassador Program offers kids the opportunity to build their self-confidence and
develop their leadership and public speaking skills. Each year we select two young people to represent the organization as our Provincial Ambassadors and we have 90 Local Ambassadors representing children and youth in communities across the province. Find out more about our Ambassador Program.
Scholarships
Through our scholarship program, we provide funding to assist youth with physical disabilities in achieving
their dreams of post-secondary education. Find out about Easter Seals scholarships.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Easter Seals Ontario is one of a small group of external organizations that are invited to have representatives participate on the Special Education Advisory Committees of the various Boards of Education across the province. SEAC representatives help protect the rights of students with special needs by providing specific information, advice and assistance to parents/guardians whose children may require additional support. Find out more.
Parent Resource Information
We offer a virtual library of online links to various service providers, suppliers and government programs that may be of interest to parents of children and youth with physical disabilities.
Awareness and Public Education
Easter Seals champions issues facing children with disabilities through public education and awareness initiatives, participating in government consultations and on provincial advisory committees, as well as presenting at conferences. We also promote and create awareness of disability and accessibility issues through our annual March is Easter Seals Month campaign, media relations, direct mail, and government relations activities, and through our annual Easter Seals Telethon.
Incontinence Supplies Grant Program
Easter Seals Ontario administers the Incontinence Supplies Grant Program on behalf of the Ministry of Health. This program is for children and youth with chronic disabilities that result in irreversible incontinence or retention problems lasting longer than six months requiring the use of incontinence supplies. This program is fully funded by the Ministry. Check here to find out more about the Incontinence Supplies Grant Program.
Top Up Program
The Top Up Program “tops up” the annual amount from the Incontinence Supplies Grant Program for eligible individuals and families. This program is fully funded by the Ministry of Children & Youth Services, and all eligibility criteria and Top Up grant levels are set by this Ministry. Easter Seals Ontario acts as a transfer payment agency for this program. Get details on the Top Up Program. Find out more about the Top-Up Program.