This episode of the Nonprofit Report features organizations that provide services and support for people living with developmental disabilities and their families. The conversation highlights how nonprofits across the United States deliver education, housing, employment, and behavioral health services while working to ensure people with disabilities can live connected and fulfilling lives in their communities.
Guests:
Tom Gillespie, President & CEO, Living Well Disability Services
Tracy Garner, CEO, Easterseals Louisiana
Charles McLister, President & CEO, Elwyn
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points
- Nonprofit organizations provide services across the lifespan, from early childhood intervention to adult residential and employment programs.
- Easterseals’ national network includes nearly 70 affiliates and reaches about 1.5 million people annually, while Easterseals Louisiana serves about 10,000 individuals each year.
- Elwyn, founded in 1852, supports nearly 18,000 people across eight states through education, behavioral health, and community-based programs.
- Living Well Disability Services operates about 40 group homes in the Minneapolis–St. Paul region and serves approximately 300 individuals through residential and customized support programs.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) helped transform accessibility, employment protections, and social awareness for people with disabilities.
Other Points on Developmental Disability Services
Nonprofit organizations supporting people with developmental disabilities often provide a wide range of services throughout a person’s life. Programs can begin with early childhood intervention and special education services and continue into adulthood with employment programs, residential support, and behavioral health services. These supports help individuals build independence and remain active members of their communities.
Many of these organizations were founded by families seeking better options for their children. Living Well Disability Services, for example, was created by parents who believed their children deserved more supportive and inclusive opportunities than were available at the time. That family-driven advocacy helped shape modern community-based support models.
The conversation also highlighted how attitudes toward disability have evolved over time. Earlier approaches often involved isolating individuals in institutional settings, while today’s models emphasize integration and connection within communities. Programs now focus on helping individuals build relationships, participate in local activities, and live in homes within their communities.
Public policy has played an important role in driving these changes. The Americans with Disabilities Act created new standards for accessibility and nondiscrimination, leading to improvements in transportation, facilities, and employment opportunities. However, nonprofit leaders emphasized that laws alone cannot change attitudes, and continued education and community engagement remain essential.
