Let’s ensure people with disabilities, older adults and veterans have opportunity to contribute to their communities and build lives they choose

By Jessica Tuman, VP, Voya Cares & ESG Practice COE

I was honored to be part of a powerful, two-day event in Washington, D.C. to launch Easterseals’ The State of Disability Equity and Access report. The first day included a briefing event where I participated in a panel discussion with national Easterseals president and CEO Kendra Davenport, as well as national disability advocates. The panel addressed the strides that have been made since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 33 years ago and the significant work that still needs to be done to achieve full equity and access for the millions of people with disabilities in transportation, education, health care and employment.

Voya’s underwriting of this report — by The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy and Innovation at Loyola Law — is a continuation of our strong and successful collaboration with Easterseals and our employment extender study. Voya is proud to support this top provider of disability services to help people who are disabled, aging and veterans achieve financial self-sufficiency.

The eye-opening dialogue from the briefing was followed up on day two by the inaugural Building an Inclusive Future: Easterseals Policy and Partnership Forum. Moderated by Symone Sanders, author, political analyst and MSNBC host, a series of panel discussions convened national policymakers, thought leaders on IDEA, corporate change makers, and representatives from the disability community to build upon the findings from the report and discuss solutions to create a more inclusive world for people with disabilities, veterans, and seniors.

The report is a must-read, not only for the disability community, but for all of us who are increasingly likely to become physically or mentally disabled as part of the aging process, or who will be caring for an aging family member. We all have a stake in advancing disability inclusion across every pillar of society.

And once the findings of the report are read, they are difficult to ignore. We believe the next step is to reach out to legislators to advocate for programs and policies that address the disparities cited in the report and encourage corporations to act to advance disability inclusion. A concerted effort — one involving nonprofits, corporations and legislators — can have the needed impact to ensure people with disabilities, older adults and veterans have every opportunity to contribute to their communities and build lives of their choosing.