Columbia City, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Whitley County has awarded a $5,000 grant to Easterseals Passage in support of esports and virtual reality initiatives.
Easterseals is leading the way in incorporating esports into programming for people with disabilities as part of the nationwide ES Gaming initiative, and the grant will help implement the initiative at Easterseals Passages. Gaming provides opportunities for players to connect and improve skills in leadership, communication, critical thinking, team building, cognitive acuity and technology. These transferable skills enhance work readiness while creating opportunities for fun and socialization.
In addition, the grant will help fund use of virtual reality to teach hands-on skills needed for competitive employment in the community. Virtual reality will allow participants to understand their career options, experience what it’s like to work in different jobs and develop job-specific skills.