by Ruthie Rotenberg
In March, at the JFN Conference in Israel, I was privileged to join a group of funders on a site visit to several inclusive programs in the Tel Aviv area. Each program we visited was incredible in how they focused on creating a more inclusive community, supportive and inclusive of individuals with disabilities and their families. From world-renowned playgrounds that are fun to play on for all children, to finding ways to allow adults with disabilities to live independent lives – we saw a cross section of the incredible work happening in Israel. Since that visit, I have been thinking of ways we can all bring these lessons home, and make our own communities more inclusive.
Today I offer a challenge to all funders, especially those who don’t focus their funding on disability-related programs. My challenge has three steps, which can be implemented over your next three grant cycles.
1. Ask questions about accessibility and inclusiveness of the programs you plan to fund.
Asking the “right” question can be a powerful tool for change. When grant-seekers consistently see and need to respond to questions about the accessibility and inclusiveness of their programs, it will influence how they design their programs. When an application forces them to confront who they unintentionally exclude, they can begin to change their programs to be more inclusive, and in future applications proudly describe how their program is open to all.
2. Read the answers.
Consider the answers to these questions when evaluating grant applications. If all funders considered inclusion in their decision making, we could spark big change in our community. A starting point could be deciding to only support programs that are wheelchair accessible or programs that offer ASL interpreters.
3. Omit the questions!
This step comes when the questions are no longer necessary because we have created a community that is inclusive of people regardless of their talents, abilities, challenges, and differences – and this can’t come soon enough!
Below are examples of questions you can include in grant applications to build awareness and (hopefully) spark change through asking the ‘right’ questions.
Suggested questions:
- Is your program in an accessible venue?
- Is your office accessible?
- Do you ask program participants if they need basic accommodations, like ASL interpreters, and do you know how to provide them? (Is there a place to make this request on your programs’ registration forms?)
- Does your staff receive inclusion training? If so, what kind of training do they receive?
If we all make these small changes to our grantmaking processes, and share our commitment with our network of funders, we’ll build a Jewish community that is truly welcoming of people regardless of their abilities and challenges.
Ruthie Rotenberg is Director of Peer Networks and Strategic Relationships at the Jewish Funders Network.
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What a pertinent article. Thank you so much for both submitting and printing it. Beit Yael, The Center for the Advancement of the Blind is located in Tsfat. Programs for all Israel’s vision impaired have been offered here since 1976 and in our own building since 1987. Our goal is to reach the entire vision impaired community without regard to age, race, religion or ethnic group. The programs at Beit Yael are specifically planned for both the pleasure and empowerment of the vision impaired.
When the Center was built in 1987 it was the desire of those involved in all communities that the Center be in Tsfat and not in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem or other easy to get to locations. This has both a positive and a negative side to it.
People don’t hear about us or come to visit us when they are in Israel either to learn about fundraising possibilies or our work with the disabled. However, the vision impaired specifically asked for the Center to be away from the middle of the country so that they could come and take advantage of the programs offered, including Israel’s only residential rehab program for those who are newly blind and/or going blind. In this way their friend and neighbors would not see them walking about learning the use of the white cane etc.
Beity Yael welcomes all those who are interested in learning about our unique work with Israel’s vision impaired. IT is our hope that those from abroad who are coming to Israel either for private or group visits will when they are in the north, take the time to come to see us. Truly, visits are a rewarding experience.
In the coming months Beit Yael will host groups from all over the country including: those who attend Israel’s 30 day centers for the vision impaired including groups from the Arab community. Jewish students and young people will also be coming. We hope that you might too. See you in Tsfat.
This is a welcome article. It is important to reflect on and support what is needed when meeting the needs of community members with physical challenges. I would like to encourage some additional reflection to meet the needs of community members with less visible challenges, for example individuals with social/pragmatic language challenges. These challenges are much, much more prevalent than vision or hearing impairment.
I would suggest funding directed at ongoing staff training to meet these needs. I would also encourage funding programs that support the families involved as well as the affected individuals.
Our communities will be better when we can more successfully include all of our members Thank you for your efforts to affect this change.