Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine January 2021 | Page 18

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COVER STORY

Angela F . Williams

President and CEO Easterseals USA

“ Here ’ s what I learned about Easterseals , that is so important not only to me , but to the rest of our nation :

It is driven by vision . . . . To create a world in which every one of us is 100 % included and 100 % empowered to reach our full potential .”

Angela F . Williams is president and CEO of Easterseals in the United States of America . They are the nation ’ s leading nonprofit provider of life-changing services and powerful advocacy for people with disabilities of all ages , including veterans and seniors . She is the first Black woman to hold this post and was hired in 2018 as a change agent in anticipation of Easterseals ’ 100th anniversary in 2020 .
As Easterseals moves into its second century , Williams ’ goals are to increase its growth , bolster its impact , expand its services , and advance disability equity in health care , education and employment for people with disabilities in society . This vision is being driven by Williams ’ network-wide strategic plan to broaden inclusion , empowerment and access for the 1.5 million people Easterseals serves annually — and for the one in four Americans living with disability today . The plan includes strengthening Easterseals ’ National Network of 68 affiliates to serve more individuals and families living with disability through expansion of services and heightened support from corporate , foundation and individual donors .
Additionally , Williams ’ strategic plan includes a stronger focus on advocacy at the federal and state levels , designed to ensure that people with disabilities have greater access to health care , education and employment opportunities . As part of that effort , through work with public and private entities technology has been elevated as a priority since the virtual world is increasingly the most essential point of access to services and inclusion for people with disabilities .