Canadian Non-profit Easter Seals Spreads Light on Ontario Kids Living with Disabilities

Ontario faces a significant accessibility challenge. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 2.6 million Ontarians - or roughly one out four - are living with some form of disability. These conditions can impact freedom, societal participation, independence, and quality of life, creating significant strain for individuals and families alike.

Stepping up to address this issue, Easter Seals Ontario, a Canadian non-profit working to create a more inclusive and accessible society, has partnered with Zenith Media Canada for an ambitious fundraising and awareness campaign set to unfold across Ontario throughout March.

Easter Seals Ontario has been a longstanding leader in providing programs, services, and advocacy for the disability community, with the support of partners such as We Care Canada and Century 21. Countless Ontario children, youth, and young adults have benefited from their support, through programs such as mobility and accessibility equipment funding, accessible and inclusive summer camps, and post-secondary scholarships.   

Each March, Easter Seals Ontario launches a campaign empowering children with physical disabilities. The initiative shines a light on their needs and potential and emphasizes the availability of vital programs and services to help as many kids as possible. 

“Our four-year-old son has Cerebral Palsy, and he requires specialized equipment such as a wheelchair stroller and a stander to improve mobility and maintain proper posture,” said Nikunj Mahajan, a group account director at Zenith Media. “Easter Seals has supported us with financial assistance to partly fund these necessary items, which can be prohibitively expensive otherwise”.

This year’s endeavour puts the spotlight on some of the remarkable children who have directly benefited from Easter Seals Ontario’s support. Their stories and faces will be seen across Ontario thanks to the widespread support from Zenith Media’s partners, including Branded Cities, Pattison, Rogers, Amazon, Spotify and AdTheorant. Together, these partners have united to champion the initiative, donating over $250, 000 in primarily Out-of-Home advertising space including premium locations like Yonge & Dundas Square, prime TV programs such as Breakfast Television as well as highway billboards, transit shelters, and TTC stations. 

 “In a world full of diverse talents and perspectives, children and youth with physical disabilities have unique strengths and insights that deserve to shine. At Easter Seals Ontario, we celebrate these differences and believe in magnifying the powerful voices that often go unheard,” explains Robyn Visheau, senior manager of communications at Easter Seals Ontario. “Through our collaboration with Zenith Media, we’re able to amplify these voices further, bringing greater awareness and support to the incredible potential of these young individuals.”

“We were eager to assist Easter Seals Ontario and the individuals they support in feeling recognized, acknowledged, and empowered” said Steve White, group account director at Zenith Media. “This campaign is special for us because it sets a concrete example of how the media and advertising industry can give back to the community and support organisations that help drive positive, meaningful change.”