Angola, Indiana — Easterseals RISE has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Steuben County United Way to support esports.
Easterseals RISE is leading the way in incorporating esports into programming for people with disabilities as part of the nationwide 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 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.
Easterseals RISE is the first location in the Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana network to launch esports. The program will expand to include esports teams and clubs at Easterseals Arc in Fort Wayne and Easterseals Passages in Columbia City, plus Cardinal Services in Warsaw.
About 1 in 5 gamers have a disability, with Xbox estimating there are 400 million gamers worldwide with disabilities. ES Gaming is focused on creating a new standard for equity, inclusion, and access among all disabled gamers, and amplifying disabled voices and accessible innovations. More information is available at esgaming.gg.