2023 Annual Report
“Laying the groundwork for a brighter, more inclusive future.”
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.
“As the longest-standing organization dedicated to serving children, youth and young
Kevin j. Collins, President and CEO / KEVIN KELLY, Chair of the Board
adults with physical disabilities in Canada, we take pride in our continued success in
supporting these remarkable young people through our range of programs and services.”
Celebrating Positive Change
A Look at Easter Seals Ontario’s Impact in 2023
In 2023, we continued to break down barriers and work toward a society that sets goals, not limits, for people with disabilities. Let’s take a look at our year in numbers and celebrate the positive change we have achieved together over the past year.
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 2023, 44% 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 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Funding Committed | $1.55 million | $1.98 million | $1.72 million |
| Equipment Funding Requests Committed | 848 | 1,101 | 963 |
| Impact Indicator | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Families who would not have been able to access the equipment on their own or without significant sacrifices | 93% | 96% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on their child’s independence | 93% | 91% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on their child’s safety at home and in public | 91% | 92% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on their child’s ability to connect socially with others | 70% | 71% |
| Families who reported a positive impact on child’s self-confidence | 80% | 82% |
Accessible & Inclusive 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 386 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.
The 2023 summer camp season marked our second year returning to in-person programming at both Camp Woodeden (London, ON) and Camp Merrywood (Perth, ON), after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on the lessons and adaptations of the previous year, we successfully delivered 3,160 days at camp for individual and family camp participants.
| Deliverable | 2021 (remote) | 2022 (in-person) | 2023 (in-person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Individual Campers | 672 | 322 | 320 |
| Registered Family Camp Participants | n/a | 120 | 134 |
| Impact Indicator | 2023 Results |
|---|---|
| Campers or families who reported an increase in camper improvement or strengthening of important life skills | 74% |
| Campers or families who reported an increase in camper independence | 80% |
| Campers or families who reported a positive impact on camper ability to connect socially with others | 91% |
| Campers or families who reported a positive impact on camper self-confidence | 74% |
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 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding for Scholarships | $15,750 | $31,490 | $22,550 |
| Number of Scholarships Awarded | 16 | 22 | 19 |
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 2023, our volunteers participated in over 1,020 hours of SEAC meetings.
| Deliverable | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAC Volunteers | 28 | 36 | 34 |
| School Boards with Easter Seals SEAC Volunteer Representation | 22 | 29 | 28 |
Learn about everything Easter Seals Ontario does to help children with physical disabilities and their families in the full 2023 Annual Report.