Empowering Veterans with Digital Skills

Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut, in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal & Ability Media has been honored with the 2023 Eastern CT Social Service Award for 'Collaboration of the Year.' The recognition, awarded by The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, underscores Easterseals’ impactful commitment to advancing opportunities for Veterans, creating meaningful change, and improving the lives of individuals in Connecticut.

Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut, a leading provider of services for individuals with disabilities, veterans and military families, has partnered with Comcast NBCUniversal and Ability Media to develop a program that empowers veterans through digital media skills. By combining their expertise and resources, the three organizations have successfully pioneered an initiative that supports veterans in acquiring valuable digital skills, that translate to employment, social connection, and self-confidence in the ever-evolving media landscape.

"We are truly honored to receive the Collaboration of the Year award from The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. We want to thank our funding partner Comcast NBCUniversal and Board Member and Media Specialist, Dave Stevens of Ability Media, for enabling our veteran heroes to tell their stories & advocate for veteran health while building valuable employment skills," said Robin Sharp, President and CEO at Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut.

Easterseals’ Digital Media program is facilitated by Dave Stevens, a 7-time Emmy Award-winning sports broadcasting professional and motivational speaker. Stevens, born without legs, is a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and the driving force behind Ability Media. His passion for empowering individuals with disabilities aligns seamlessly with Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut's commitment to equity, access and inclusion.

The year-long project was launched at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point, an 18,000-square-foot Center of Excellence in Norwich, CT, dedicated to serving veterans and military families. The facility offers a range of programs and services to enhance the lives of military members including those with service-connected disabilities. Through the generous donation from Comcast NBCUniversal, Easterseals was able to create a Digital Media Lab & Broadcasting studio, providing the opportunity for students to build skills in classes that cover: Basic computer skills, interview & communication techniques, digital production & editing, scriptwriting, software management, and more.

“We are honored to be recognized by The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut for our partnership with Easterseals to empower veterans to learn digital media skills so our nation’s heroes can give a voice to their stories,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Western New England Region, which is based in Connecticut. “We believe strongly in connecting with the military community and hold dear the partnerships that make a real difference in the lives of our military community.”

The Digital Media Skills class at Veterans rally Point teaches skills that are transferable in many employment roles, as well as gives our service members and their families an outlet to share their stories. The broadcasts produced by participants have gained national attention, reaching millions of viewers on platforms such as YourHomeTV.com, Roku, The Geary, Stein, and Stevens Show, and Social Media Channels.

"I am immensely proud to stand alongside our veterans, working hand in hand to provide them with a powerful platform that amplifies their voices and grants them a significant digital presence. One of my favorite parts is teaching the art of interviewing, which translates to confidence in communication skills, and opens up employment opportunities and social connection," stated Dave Stevens, Ability Media & Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac University.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut officially presented the award at the Annual Social Service Recognition Breakfast, on November 16th at Holiday Inn Norwich. The event brings together community leaders, businesses, and organizations dedicated to making Eastern Connecticut a better place for all.