Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently received a highly sought after $30,000 Quality of Life grant from The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Easterseals was one of only 17 grantees nationwide awarded funds from this foundation this year. The grant money will be used to install cameras within Easterseals Resource Center to allow virtual tours for consumers with disabilities, including paralysis, and their caregivers. Additionally, the funds will be used to purchase new equipment to update inventory in the Resource Center, including smart home technology.

“We are honored and excited to receive this grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The pandemic brought to light the great need to expand our ability to provide virtual tours to help make sure our Resource Center is as accessible and inclusive as possible,” Nancy Ranalli, Easterseals Director of Community Outreach & Assistive Technology, said. “This new equipment will help us reach a greater number of people, especially those with paralysis and their caregivers.”

Assistive technology in this project, include items like voice activated home assistants, electronic door openers, light switches and tablets to control them. Additionally, items such as anti-scald devices, motion activated lighting and transfer devices will be added to the inventory.

Assistive technology can allow a person living with a disability, from paralysis to dementia to brain injury, to be more independent at home or in the community. It can also make caregiving tasks easier and safer. The Resource Center is available to the public free of charge. The new camera set-up will allow guests who are unable to visit the Resource Center in person to have access to a guided tour and knowledgeable staff.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, they are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discovery across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating the community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. They meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

’Easterseals Delaware & Marylands Eastern Shore is leading the way to an inclusive community through its innovative services, which include: children’s therapies, day programs for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, supported employment, senior services, recreational camping, respite services, and services for caregivers. To learn more about Easterseals, call 1-800-677-3800 or visit www.de.easterseals.com.
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