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History

Learn Easterseals' history of providing disability resources from our start in Ohio in 1919, to present-day Easterseals Southern California. For more than 100 years, Easterseals has empowered people with disabilities through advocacy and life-changing disability and community services.

Easterseals Southern California

The services provided by Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) – in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties – make profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities.

Chicago Seal Bunnys
kennedy
Globe Trotters

An Easterseals Timeline

1907 - Ohio businessman Edgar Allen tragically lost his son in a streetcar accident. The lack of adequate medical services available to save his son prompted Allen to begin a fundraising campaign to build a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio. Through this new hospital, Allen learned that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view. 

edgar allen

1919  - The National Society for Crippled Children, the first organization of its kind, was founded by Allen.

1926 - The National Society for Crippled Children established a Los Angeles County affiliate.

1934 - The organization launched its first Easter "seal" campaign to raise money for its services. Cleveland Plain Dealer cartoonist J.H. Donahey designed the first seal for supporters to purchase and place on envelopes and letters.

1944 - The mission was broadened to to provide services for adults and returning World War II veterans in communities nationwide.

historic seal

1952 - The lily - a symbol of spring - was officially incorporated as the National Society for Crippled Children’s logo for its association with new life and new beginnings.

1967 - The Easter "seal" was so well recognized that the organization formally adopted the name "Easter Seals."

1987 - Easter Seals' Los Angeles County affiliate became Easter Seals Los Angeles & Orange County.

1990 – The American Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26. Easterseals actively lobbied in Washington and across the country for its adoption. Since then, Easterseals has worked tirelessly to ensure that all people are empowered to access their rights under the ADA.

1998 - Easter Seals Los Angeles & Orange County changed its name to Easter Seals Southern California (ESSC) after expanding to include San Diego and the Inland Empire.

2012 - ESSC began offering autism therapy services following a change in state law mandating insurance providers cover autism therapy services.

2013 - ESSC expanded to include Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

2014 - ESSC became the largest affiliate with an annual budget of over $100 Million.

current easterseals logo

2016 – The brand was relaunched with the name "Easterseals," new colors, and a new logo. 

2019 - Easterseals celebrated its 100th anniversary with a float in the 2019 Rose Parade® ridden by service recipients and staff from around the country. 

2024 - The number of participants ESSC served increased to more than 20,000.