Angola, Indiana — Easterseals Northeast Indiana Angola has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Steuben County United Way to support Easterseals Gaming and further expand esports programming for people with disabilities.
Easterseals Northeast Indiana Angola is leading the way in incorporating esports into services through the national ES Gaming initiative. The grant will help cover the costs of an esports coach, gaming equipment, streaming events, and team mentors.
Creating and supporting esports teams and events through Easterseals Gaming provides meaningful opportunities for players to connect and develop key life and workplace skills. Participants can build leadership, communication, critical thinking, team building, cognitive acuity, and technological literacy. These transferable skills not only enhance work readiness but also promote fun, inclusion, and socialization for people with disabilities.
Easterseals Northeast Indiana Angola is the first site in the organization’s network to launch an esports program. Future plans include expanding Easterseals Gaming to other locations such as Easterseals Fort Wayne, Easterseals in Columbia City, and Cardinal Services in Warsaw.
The initiative supports a broader goal of equity and inclusion in the gaming world. Approximately 1 in 5 gamers has a disability, and Xbox estimates there are more than 400 million gamers with disabilities worldwide. Easterseals Gaming is committed to amplifying disabled voices, championing accessible innovation, and creating inclusive gaming environments for all.
For more information about the ES Gaming initiative, visit esgaming.gg.