Armistead Village Apartments

Throughout its history, Easterseals Arkansas has pioneered efforts to meet the needs of children and adults with disabilities and families throughout Arkansas. These services would not have been possible without the ongoing commitment of Board Members and community volunteers. Through Easter Seals Arkansas’ broad range of services, children and adults with disabilities from throughout Arkansas continue to develop and reach their goals for independence.


1940’s: In 1944, Virginia Armistead, Easter Seals Arkansas’ founder, and a group of volunteers began the Arkansas Association for the Crippled to ensure that individuals with disabilities had the opportunity to reach their full potential. They began providing education services to children in hospitals and to children who were homebound. In 1947, in Jacksonville, they opened the first inpatient Convalescent Hospital for children with disabilities in the state. When the polio epidemic struck, this group began providing therapy and medical care for children from around the state who had polio. Also in the 1940’s, the first speech program in the state was begun, teachers were placed in Arkansas’ four hospitals, a statewide mobile therapy team was created, and Arkansas’ first legislation for children with disabilities was secured.

1950’s: In 1953, a Summer Crafts Program was begun for homebound adults with disabilities, an Outpatient Therapy Program was begun, and a preschool center for children with disabilities was opened. The first industrial work program for adults in the state was also created.

1960’s: In 1966, the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center on Lee Avenue in Little Rock opened, replacing the center in Jacksonville. This new center housed the only inpatient program for children in the state, the Sheltered Workshop program for adults, the OMAT Project, administrative offices, occupational and physical therapy departments, and school rooms. In 1968, the Arkansas Association for the Crippled became the Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults of Arkansas (The Easter Seal Society).

1970’s: In 1974, an Infant Program was created to identify children with disabilities and to provide therapy. The Early Intervention Program was started to provide kindergarten to children with orthopedic disabilities who were ineligible to attend public kindergarten due to the severity of their disabilities. In 1979, Operation Outreach was begun to promote the success of children with disabilities. The Easter Seal Society also received its first certification by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

1980’s: The first augmentative communication evaluation and training program in the state for individuals who were non-speaking was created and The Arkansas Technology Resource Center was opened. A Child’s Place Preschool was opened and became the first preschool to serve children with and without disabilities in the state. The Supported Employment program also was begun.

1990’s:In 1994, the Outpatient Services Building was opened on Woodland Heights Road in Little Rock, replacing the Lee Avenue center. The Children’s Rehabilitation Center was opened in 1998. The Easter Seal Society began a training program for neonatal intensive care unit staff throughout the state, opened an independent living facility for adults, and established alternative community services to promote successful independent living. Easter Seals also provided support to employers to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act.

2000’s: In 2000, the Arkansas Easter Seal Society became Easter Seals Arkansas. Today, Easter Seals Arkansas programs include a 40 bed pediatric inpatient rehabilitation center, preschool and outpatient therapy programs in Little Rock and Stuttgart, statewide outreach training and technology program, an adult work center, a community services program, an independent living facility, and three independent living apartment complexes for adults. Sharon Moone-Jochums is Easter Seals Arkansas’ third director and continues to serve as President and CEO.