2024 Annual Report
Milestones That Matter
Who We Are
Easter Seals Ontario has been a leading provider of programs and services for children, youth, and young adults with physical disabilities since 1922. We are a registered charity committed to empowering individuals to reach their full potential by providing them with essential resources, opportunities, and support. Our wide range of programs and services includes mobility and accessibility equipment funding, accessible and inclusive summer camps, post-secondary scholarships, youth ambassador opportunities, and advocacy and public awareness. We are deeply grateful to our donors and sponsors whose generosity and compassion make our life-changing work possible.
“We are proud to share that Easter Seals Ontario remained by their side, providing the essential support they need to keep learning, growing and celebrating their own important milestones.”
Kevin j. Collins, President and CEO / KEVIN KELLY, Chair of the Board
By The Numbers
A Look at Easter Seals Ontario’s Impact in 2024
In 2024, our Equipment Funding Program, a cornerstone of our support, accepted applications for the entirety of the year—resulting in over $1.6 million in committed funding for essential mobility and accessibility equipment. This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, and the strength and generosity of the community that works alongside us.
Programs and Services
At Easter Seals Ontario, we believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive and make their mark on the world, regardless of their physical abilities. Our programs and services are designed to provide the right environment and support system for children and youth with long-term physical disabilities to reach their full potential.
Equipment Funding Program
Through our Equipment Funding Program, we provide families with funding to help purchase
essential mobility and accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, ramps, or lifts. This
program is about more than accessing equipment; it’s about offering children and youth with physical
disabilities a chance for greater independence, freedom, and an enhanced quality of life.
The financial challenge of raising a child with a physical disability can be substantial, with estimated
costs reaching up to $40,000 per year. Notably, in 2024, 41% of families who accessed the Easter
Seals Ontario Equipment Funding Program, and who chose to report their income, had household
incomes below $40,000. Our Equipment Funding Program offers support by covering the cost of
mobility and accessibility items or helping parents fill the funding gap so their child can access the
essential equipment they need to thrive and participate more fully in daily life.
| Deliverable | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Funding Committed | $1.98 million | $1.72 million | $1.6 million |
| Equipment Funding Requests Committed | 1,101 | 963 | 891 |
| Impact Indicator | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Families who would not have been able to access the equipment on their own or without significant sacrifices | 96% | 95% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on their child’s independence | 91% | 89% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on their child’s safety at home and in public | 92% | 90% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on their child’s ability to connect socially with others | 71% | 77% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on child’s self-confidence | 82% | 76% |
Accessible Summer Camp
Social and recreational activities are essential for a child’s development, providing opportunities to foster social skills, creativity, problem-solving, and self-regulation. However, individuals with physical disabilities face systematic challenges that limit their participation. In Ontario, while there are approximately 400 camps providing various forms of programming, only seven specifically accommodate children with physical disabilities. This substantial gap in available resources highlights the critical need for programs like Easter Seals camps, which are tailored to meet the unique needs of these young people. We aim to address these disparities by offering accessible and inclusive camping and recreational programming designed specifically for children, youth, and young adults with physical disabilities.
In-person programming was offered at both Camp Woodeden (London, Ont.) and Camp Merrywood (Perth, Ont.) throughout the 2024 summer camp season, and we successfully delivered 3,260 days at camp for individual and family camp participants.
| Deliverable | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Individual Campers | 322 | 320 | 373 |
| Registered Family Camp Participants | 120 | 134 | 198 |
| Impact Indicator | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Campers or families who reported an increase in camper improvement or strengthening of important life skills | 74% | 85% |
| Campers or families who reported an increase in camper independence | 80% | 77% |
| Campers or families who reported a positive impact on camper ability to connect socially with others | 91% | 87% |
| Campers or families who reported a positive impact on camper self-confidence | 74% | 87% |
Public Education, Advocacy, & Awareness
Post-Secondary Scholarships
There are many students with disabilities who are highly motivated, ambitious, and actively chasing academic goals, but they face financial barriers to education. It can be difficult for families of children with physical disabilities, who incur a lot of expenses, to send their child to post-secondary school. That’s why we’ve created a scholarship program. To help students with physical disabilities achieve their post-secondary academic dreams.
| Deliverable | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding for Scholarships | $31,490 | $22,550 | $40,200 |
| Number of Scholarships Awarded | 22 | 19 | 27 |
Advocacy & Awareness
Easter Seals Ontario has been and will always be a voice for children, youth, and young adults with physical disabilities. Some of the greatest barriers they face require systemic and societal changes. Our staff have a wealth of knowledge in special education and lead a team of volunteers who participate on Special Education Advisory Committees (SEAC) on school boards across the province to represent the needs of kids with physical disabilities. In 2024, our volunteers dedicated over 1,410 hours to SEAC meetings.
| Deliverable | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAC Volunteers | 36 | 34 | 32 |
| School Boards with Easter Seals SEAC Volunteer Representation | 29 | 28 | 25 |
Learn about everything Easter Seals Ontario does to help children with physical disabilities and their families in the full 2024 Annual Report.