Easter Seals Ontario News Release ******************** Sudbury – Invest in the needs of children and youth with physical disabilities and all children with extraordinary needs, is the message Easter Seals Ontario is sending during the month of March,
Sudbury – Invest in the needs of children and youth with physical disabilities and all children with extraordinary needs, is the message Easter Seals Ontario is sending during the month of March, as Easter Seals Ontario kicks off its annual fundraising and awareness campaign.
As a long-standing organization serving children and youth with physical disabilities and their families, Easter Seals Ontario recently joined with four other provincial organizations, collectively representing over 300,000 children and youth across the province in need of extra supports, to put forth a collaborative request to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs to make budgetary decisions that invest in the importance of children, especially those with extraordinary needs.
“Children with extraordinary needs must not be forgotten. When it comes to assistance and support, we need to ensure they receive the same investment priority consideration as other children,” said Carol Lloyd, President and CEO of Easter Seals Ontario.
Specifically, the Standing Committee was asked to consider the following: - At least one in five of Ontario’s children, and their families, require extraordinary assistance to be all they can be - It’s not fair nor smart to “leave behind” kids who need extra help and support - A strong system of services requires us to plan and build responses that are collaborative, well resourced, responsive and part of a continuum of service delivery available
“What we would like to get across is that economic prosperity will not be achieved unless children and families have access to fundamental services that they require to overcome barriers and benefit from all that Ontario has to offer,” added Carol Lloyd. “This is an important message for all politicians given the upcoming election.”
In 2010, the number of new children registering with Easter Seals Ontario increased by more than 22% over the previous year. This means that more families with children with physical disabilities are feeling financial strain and need or will need assistance with the costs associated with raising their child.
Since 1922 Easter Seals Ontario has been offering programs and services to help children and youth with physical disabilities achieve a greater level of acceptance and independence, such as financial assistance for mobility and communication devices, fully accessible summer camp and funding for other summer recreational programs. Easter Seals also provides access to information and resources, as well as public education and awareness. For more information or to donate, visit www.easterseals.org
