It’s been more than fifteen years since we’ve had a full, community-wide evaluation of disability services.
 
We need one.
 
We need to know what we’re doing well, and where the gaps are. We’ve done some amazing work on disability programs – we’ve built an expanded network of community professionals, collaborated with partner synagogues and agencies, and developed a growing listserv of families. But there’s more to do.
 
We need data.
 
The more data we collect, the better we can advocate for, and meet the needs of, families in the community. And for the last year, our Federation’s ABLE leadership has developed a flagship needs-assessment. ABLE is one of our most critical programs – it’s the heart and core of what we stand for: Access, Belonging and Life Enrichment for People and Families with Special Needs. ABLE is a network of community leaders and professionals working together. But it’s also a vision of a community made whole through the active participation of everyone, with opportunities for everyone in every aspect of Jewish life.
 
If you have a disability, or you’re a family member or caregiver of someone with a disability, please take a few minutes in the next few days to fill out this survey. We’ll report back to the community with results and next steps. And we’ll use the survey to help our community do more, be more, and include more.
 
 

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