tachlis of inclusion
TRANSCRIPT
Tachlis of InclusionYom LimmudHouston TXFebruary 20, 2011
Presented by
Shelly Christensen, MA
Consultant, Inclusion Innovations LLCProgram Manager, Minneapolis Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities
Good intentions not followed by action are without value
for it is the actions which make the intentions so profound.
HaYehudi Hakadosh
To be known you have to be shown.
Zadie Max Horn
Where Does Inclusion Belong in Your Organizational
Structure?
Pity disgust fear ignorance
not my problem I don’t care THOSE people You must have done something to deserve this God doesn’t give us more than we can handle I’m so lucky that my children don’t have those problems Those people don’t belong here They can’t understand what we do here We don’t have a special service…class… these people live on charity-they can’t contribute to our synagogue We can’t do anything although we’d like to-it just costs too much money
WE DON’T HAVE ANY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES!!!!!
Converting good intentions into action: a determined and intentional initiative that starts with organizing.
Inclusion CommitteeWho sits on your committee?
What does the Inclusion Committee do? Write your mission statement and publicizePresent to the boardDevelop an accessibility statement for ALL printed and web materials, registrations for religious school, annual meetings, events, etc. Publish the mission statement.
Bet Shalom is a house of worship for all people that is free of stumbling blocks
JFCS welcomes all people
To request an accommodation in order to participate please call….by…..
How do you know where you want to go if you don’t know where you are?
“Where there is no vision the people
perish” (Proverbs 29:18)
…"Good intentions alone not accompanied by action are without value, as it is the action which makes the intentions so profound." --Chasidic Master Yehudi HaKadosh
Summary – Tachlis of Inclusion
Get the right people involved always including people with disabilities! Convene an inclusion committeeDo the easiest things right away
Inclusion statement-post it in visible places-literally on your doorpostsAccommodation statement in all printed and web materialsDesignate a go-to person to take requests for accommodations-or better yet, train everyone on your staffPut a mezuzah at wheelchair height and hold a ceremony
Convene an inclusion committeeDevelop your mission statementDue your due diligence and ASSESS your congregation
During this time, create events, sermons, implement or increase special education services, make sure EVERY child has a bar/bat mitzvah date.
What Does Success Look Like?
What is Your Commitment?
Lech L’cha
©Inclusion Innovations 2011