TD BANK GROUP & EASTER SEALS COLLABORATE TO PROVIDE NEW FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM FOR CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES

February 2022 – Easter Seals Canada is pleased to announce a new program, made possible with support from TD Bank Group, that will empower Canadians living with disabilities with the financial knowledge and skills to achieve their financial and life goals. TD has provided Easter Seals with a grant over two years to support the implementation of the TD Secure Futures pilot program in three provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

The program aims to assist Canadians living with disabilities in strengthening their financial literacy skills, and enhance their independence and long-term financial security. This initiative will support youth and adults, as well as parents and caregivers of children with disabilities who will be trained as partners in supporting their children’s skills development as they transition into adulthood. The program also aims to remove barriers to financial planning and security for participants.

Approximately 30 percent of Canadians living with disabilities live in poverty, they experience unemployment and under-employment at a much higher rate than the general population, and when they do secure full-time employment, people with disabilities often earn substantially less income than their non-disabled counterparts. Coupled with the extraordinary expenses related to disability, such as accessibility equipment, home modifications, medical treatment, therapy and medication, financial security becomes even more difficult to achieve. 

Dave Starrett, President and CEO of Easter Seals Canada, said he looks forward to the implementation of the new program in collaboration with TD and Easter Seals provincial organizations, and its potential to address a major challenge for people with disabilities in Canada. “We hope to combine our nearly 100 years of experience working with the disability community and support from TD to make this an exceptionally impactful program for the community. We expect to see participants come out with a high degree of confidence in their own financial decision-making abilities and with solid plans to help them meet their goals.” 

“We’re proud to collaborate with Easter Seals on the TD Secure Futures pilot program to support Canadians living with disabilities,” said Farah Kurji, Senior Manager, Philanthropy (Canada), TD Bank Group. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, we believe in creating opportunities that build economic inclusion and help people feel confident that they can reach their goals. This unique initiative will help program participants gain financial knowledge and acquire a myriad of critical financial literacy skills so they can manage finances independently in a digital age.”

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