You might know that Israel leads the world in cutting-edge technology, but did you know it has cutting-edge programs for those with disabilities? That’s why Jewish Federation Los Angeles is convening families, professionals, and leaders of the disability rights community in California for a mission to Israel from July 20-27 to learn more about these programs. But first, they wanted to see what L.A. has to offer.
In preparation for the upcoming mission, 35 participants took a bus tour in the San Fernando Valley to see a sampling of what programs exist locally for adults with disabilities. Participants visited four sites: Tierra Del Sol which provides a range of employment training and coaching programs; an independent living apartment run and supported by UCP LA; a Jewish group home integrated into the community and operated by Etta Israel; and Exceptional Minds, a vocational center and animation studio for adults with autism.
Michelle K. Wolf, Mission Co-Chair, remarked, “The programs we visited gave us four wonderful, yet different examples of how the combination of leadership, innovation and organizational commitment can add up to positive and meaningful lifelong experiences for young adults with developmental disabilities.”
One of the participants commented, “Thank you for making this possible. I learned so much on the visits, despite all my years of work in this community. I know this experience will make a significant difference in my work and relationships with our community.”
According to the CDC, 1 in 88 children will be diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and it is estimated that 20% of the U.S. population has some form of a disability. There is a huge cohort of teenagers with developmental disabilities about to enter young adulthood and many of the services that families have been receiving through the regional centers and the school systems are not going to be available when their kids graduate.
There is a dearth of programs in Los Angeles for these young adults and those older as well. One of the primary goals of the mission is to learn about models and best practices in Israel and bring back to Los Angeles a shared vision of how to create sustainable and successful programs that lead to improved self-sufficiency and quality of life.
Mission Co-Chair Judy Mark shared, “I am concerned about the future for my son and others with developmental disabilities as they grow into adulthood and need appropriate housing and services. Seeing the innovative programs in Israel will allow parents like me to dream of the future we can create for our children.”
On the mission, we’ll visit and learn from leading programs like Beit Issie Shapiro, The Center for Independent Living, Kishorit and JDC’s Supportive Community for people with disabilities. We’ll also spend time with some of the country’s top experts in the field. The goal is to foster a collaborative relationship with our Israeli partners that will ultimately serve the adults with disabilities in both our communities.
For more information, contact Adynna Swarz at ASwarz@JewishLA.org or (323) 761-8081.
