Adami Fund for Innovation Focuses on Enhanced Accessibility

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore has announced the sixth annual “Bill Adami Fund for Innovation” award will be used to fund two projects initiated by Easterseals staff to improve accessibility within the organization. The Bill Adami Fund for Innovation was created in memory of Easterseals' late President/CEO, William J. Adami, who passed away in 2013.

“We ask staff members to submit their most creative ideas which reflect the reasons why we started this fund, which is to remember Bill Adami and his innovative way of thinking” Easterseals President/CEO, Kenan Sklenar, said. “This year, the award will fund two projects. The first is the purchase of a software package to be used for accessible and interactive training for Easterseals staff as well as to create more accessible materials for the people we serve. The second project will create virtual access to the Easterseals Resource & Technology Demonstration Center, which is part of the Community Outreach Program."

The Prezi software program will enable staff to create user-friendly materials for participants and their families, including handbooks, orientations, and training material. Director of Employment Programs, Jane Schuler, said, “Having materials that are user-friendly and accessible benefits the entire agency. Within our day program for people with intellectual disabilities, we expect our project to impact all the individuals we serve and all of the staff that support them.”
 
The Community Outreach Program is using the grant money to install cameras within the Easterseals Resource Center to allow virtual tours for consumers with disabilities, including paralysis, and their caregivers. Additionally, the funds will be used to continue to employ a Public Ally to serve as the Assistive Technology lead.

“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.”

The Easterseals Bill Adami Fund for Innovation is established at the Delaware Community Foundation. Anyone interested in more information or to donate, contact Christina Kelleher of Easterseals at 302-221-2066 or ckelleher@esdel.org. According to Sklenar, “The more dollars raised for the fund, the more we are able to implement innovative ideas to serve people with disabilities and seniors each year.”