Building Community Creating an Inclusive Community Center Jewish Community Center of Staten Island

Mission The Jewish Community Center of Staten Island provides a continuum of programs for individuals with disabilities and their families, in an inclusive and accepting environment.

Vision The JCC of Staten Island will be an integral part in assisting individuals with disabilities and their families, to achieve their full potential through participation in social and recreational programs, resulting in an improvement in their quality of life.

Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was conceived with the goal of integrating people with disabilities into all aspects of American life, particularly the workplace and the marketplace.

Sensitivity toward people with disabilities is not only in the spirit of the ADA, it makes good business sense. It can help you expand your program, better serve your customers or develop your audience.

The greatest barriers individuals with disabilities have faced for decades and continue to face today are attitudinal barriers

Some facts about disabilities 1 in 5 people have a disability 1 in 5 people have a disability There are over 500 known disabilities. There are over 500 known disabilities. Common disabilities include: vision, hearing, speech, physical and developmental. Common disabilities include: vision, hearing, speech, physical and developmental. People with disabilities are like everyone else People with disabilities are like everyone else

Disability vs. Handicapped A disability is a condition that limits a person’s ability to walk, talk, see, hear or reason. A disability is a condition that limits a person’s ability to walk, talk, see, hear or reason. A handicap is an imposed barrier that restricts a person. A handicap is an imposed barrier that restricts a person.

People with disabilities are handicapped by society’s mistaken beliefs about their disabilities.

It is up to everyone to help make sure disabilities are seen as challenges not burdens YouTube - Thumbs Down to Pity YouTube - Thumbs Down to Pity

People First Language People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is. People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is.

Say Say Person with a disability Person with a disability She has autism She has autism He has Down syndrome He has Down syndrome He has a physical disability He has a physical disability She uses a wheelchair She uses a wheelchair She is of short stature She is of short stature

Parking Which sign models People First thinking Which sign models People First thinking Accessible entrance Disabled parking

Reasonable Accommodation Most barriers can be alleviated with the use of appropriate reasonable accommodation. Most barriers can be alleviated with the use of appropriate reasonable accommodation. Offer materials in larger print Offer materials in larger print Amplification of telephone handsets Amplification of telephone handsets Consider the communication situation Consider the communication situation Nature of language, length and complexity Nature of language, length and complexity For example, speaking clearly in a normal tone of voice, writing key words, using short sentences, gesturing, signing, looking directly at the listener when speaking, For example, speaking clearly in a normal tone of voice, writing key words, using short sentences, gesturing, signing, looking directly at the listener when speaking,

Common Accommodations

Creating Inclusive Environments “Inclusion” implies that people are welcome, that each person reaches out to include another person. “Inclusion” implies that people are welcome, that each person reaches out to include another person. Inclusion conveys the idea that we appreciate each other, that we see each other’s gifts, that we value being together. Newsletter June 1990

Celebrity Trivia Who earned very poor grades and was labeled slow in school. He went on to produce movies and cartoons for family entertainment. Who earned very poor grades and was labeled slow in school. He went on to produce movies and cartoons for family entertainment. WALT DISNEY This famous writer had epilepsy. This famous writer had epilepsy. CHARLES DICKENS This actor has to practice speaking lines because of stuttering. This actor has to practice speaking lines because of stuttering. BRUCE WILLIS This comedian/actor is always moving because of ADHD This comedian/actor is always moving because of ADHD ROBIN WILLIAMS This actor learns lines by listening to audiotapes because dyslexia makes reading difficult. This actor learns lines by listening to audiotapes because dyslexia makes reading difficult. TOM CRUISE

Learn More about Disabilities Volunteer at an agency event Volunteer at an agency event Research online or join a specific disabilities group such as Autism Speaks or National Down Syndrome Congress Research online or join a specific disabilities group such as Autism Speaks or National Down Syndrome Congress Watch a movie. Some good choices are “You’ve Got a Friend” ( Tourette Syndrome) or “My Left Foot” based on a true story. Watch a movie. Some good choices are “You’ve Got a Friend” ( Tourette Syndrome) or “My Left Foot” based on a true story.

A final word Many of us believe that when some people are excluded from the social fabric of our communities, that fabric contains a hole. When the fabric contains a hole, the entire fabric is weakened. It lacks the richness, texture and strength of diversity Author unknown Author unknown

Resources YouTube - Thumbs Down to Pity YouTube - Thumbs Down to Pity YouTube - Thumbs Down to Pity YouTube - Thumbs Down to Pity