The Easterseals Black Child Fund

At Easterseals, our main goal is simple. We want to ensure all people feel completely included and empowered. This applies to everyone, regardless of background or ability.

However, we still live in a society with systemic inequities. These unfair systems create significant barriers for minorities. They especially harm minorities with disabilities. Because of this, we established the Black Child Fund.

Our ultimate goal is to help end racial disparities. We focus on healthcare, childcare, and education. Black children face these challenges early and throughout life.

Taking Action Through Training and Research

To start, we launched the first phase of a special education advocate training course. We developed this through our partnership with researchers. These experts come from the Collaborative on Racialized Disability (CORD). CORD directly addresses the urgent need to serve Black students with disabilities. Furthermore, the program supports their families. Importantly, this step is just the beginning.

The COVID-19 pandemic made racial inequities even worse. Right now, this moment in history places unprecedented stress on our vital systems. Consequently, systems that provide healthcare, education, and childcare are struggling.

Therefore, we are seeking $5 million in support. We invite visionary partners to join us. We must act now to address issues with lasting consequences. Additionally, we want to thank our current funders. We deeply appreciate The Abbott Fund, Comcast, and the Kellogg Foundation.

Enriching Education for Black Students with Disabilities

Easterseals actively works with CORD researchers on a new initiative. Together, we want to improve access to special education resources. Families of Black students with disabilities desperately need these resources.

This initiative targets a massive problem. We must eliminate disparities in special education services. These gaps negatively affect Black children and youth. Therefore, we identify, recruit, and train existing special education advocates.

This training prepares them to better serve Black students with disabilities. We focus directly on the needs and experiences of their families. Ultimately, this promotes more equitable and inclusive special education practices.

Overcoming Systemic Barriers in Schools

Black students face massive inequities in specialized education programs. Schools disproportionately place Black youth with disabilities into special education. Furthermore, these students are more likely to experience exclusionary disciplinary actions from schools.

Anti-Black racism and ableism drive this problem. Ableism assigns value to bodies and minds based on societal ideals of normalcy. Together, these systems exacerbate the challenges Black families face. These families struggle when navigating and accessing high quality services.

Sadly, typical advocate trainings ignore these unique issues. They fail to address the complexity of Black families’ experiences. You can learn more about the outcomes from the initial phase of a special education advocate training course. We developed this course through our CORD partnership. It addresses the pressing need to serve Black students and their families effectively.

The Pandemic’s Impact on Marginalized Youth

The pandemic disparately impacted Black students. Now, these already-marginalized students are returning to school buildings. They carry heavy burdens of grief and depression. Consequently, they face a heightened risk of poor educational outcomes.

Additionally, for generations, schools unfairly singled out Black students for disciplinary action. This is especially true for those with disabilities. Because of this history, the need for today’s conversation is incredibly clear.

Did You Know?

Here are some alarming facts about the current system:

• Medical professionals are less likely to identify Black children with autism at an early age. This comes directly from research by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Doctors misdiagnose Black children with autism five times as often. They frequently label them with behavior disorders instead.
• Parents of Black children often do not know their rights. They struggle to negotiate an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Black parents notice when their child falls behind their peers. However, they face a difficult time securing resources to address their concerns.

How You Can Help

We need your voice and your support. To create lasting change, we must work together as a community. First, educate yourself on the unique barriers these children face. Next, advocate for better resources in your local schools. Finally, support organizations that actively fight for educational equity.

#Easterseals #BlackChildFund #EducationEquity