History

Our History

Easterseals as a national organization began in 1919 when Ohio businessman Edgar Allen founded the National Society for Crippled Children. In our region, few organizations offered services for children with disabilities at the time. Many children were placed in institutions or kept isolated at home, set apart socially and unable to enjoy the same activities as typically developing children. In 1933, a group of physicians, therapists, teachers, and civic-minded individuals banded together to create new opportunities for children with disabilities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The result of their efforts was the founding of the D.C. Society for Crippled Children, today known as Easterseals DC MD VA. 

Over the years, Easterseals DC MD VA has been a leader in meeting the changing needs of children with disabilities. In 1943, it was recognized that no facilities were available for children with multiple disabilities, particularly those with cerebral palsy, so Easterseals responded by opening a new school. Housed for many years in various locations in the District of Columbia, the school found a permanent home when Easterseals constructed its own building at 2800 13th Street NW in 1959, originally known as The Children's Center. Today, that updated building remains an Easterseals Child Development Center, one of the few community-based options for children with disabilities to receive developmentally appropriate early education and full-day childcare.

Over time, children with disabilities become adults with disabilities and Easterseals DC MD VA broadened its mission, providing cutting-edge alternatives to expensive and undesired institutionalization for older Americans. Easterseals currently provides community-based medical adult day services that meet the challenges and demands of seniors and older adults with disabilities. In addition, given the sizable presence of the U.S. military in our area, Easterseals provides services tailored to the needs of military servicemembers and their families. Those programs include employment support, mental healthcare, and respite services. 

Easterseals has also actively raised awareness and support for the rights of all people with disabilities. We were a leading advocate for the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990. We have also spearheaded some of the most impactful pro-ADA public service campaigns, delivering powerful messages that supported the law and its implementation.   

Easterseals DC MD VA has been at the forefront in identifying emerging needs and pioneering innovative solutions since our founding. Partnerships forged with local governments, other nonprofit agencies, and health and human service professionals support our efforts to deliver high-quality programs and services. Generous donations from so many foundations, corporations, and individuals across the region enable us to achieve this goal. 

The programs at Easterseals have grown tremendously and we're not finished yet. We invite you to join us in planning for the next 100 years!