Blog - informaled

Day 28: Marching Forward

What’s next? As February comes to a close, we look at the coming months and years with a great sense of optimism and excitement. How many more synagogues will install wheelchair accessible ramps in their sanctuaries? How many more summer programs will open their doors to those with disabilities? How many more young children will […]

Day 27: Sit With Us

Throughout her 7th grade, Natalie Hampton had trouble finding others to eat lunch with and was often found sitting all by herself. A few years later, in high school, Natalie was determined to build communities in which no one would ever have to feel her pain and sit by him/herself. Sit With Us, Natalie’s app, […]

Day 26: Run for Inclusion

Running for a cause is truly an exhilarating experience. The pressures and hard work of late night training, early morning runs, and fundraising, all culminate at the starting line, reminding you of everything you’ve invested into promoting and supporting an organization or cause. As you pass fellow runners, fans, and spectators in your mission-emblazoned jerseys, […]

Day 25: Build an Accessible World

All around the world, people with disabilities have become more accepted, appreciated, and included. But the reality is that far too many buildings, activities, and transportation systems are still off-limits to those with mobility impairments, effectively prohibiting them from participating in certain aspects of daily life. Consider this: Of the 500+ NYC Subway stations, less […]

Day 24: Use Person-First Language

Language is a powerful tool. Beyond a word or phrase’s literal definition, the way people use language can often include all sorts of stereotypes and subtle messages. This is why it’s so crucial for a person to be aware of his language and recognize how it might affect another person. Person-first language is the idea […]

Day 23: Visit YachadGifts.com

Yachad Gifts is dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities, providing employment opportunities within the workforce. By working at Yachad Gifts, individuals gain the confidence in their abilities to be professional, accountable and dependable at a consistent place of work. Yachad Gifts aims to create an environment conducive for learning and retaining multidisciplinary […]

Day 22: Plan a Sensitivity Training in Your Community!

Yachad’s sensitivity trainings provide students with hands-on experiences that effectively convey the challenges that people with special needs face, allowing main-stream participants to better understand their peers with disabilities. These activities are always age-appropriate and are uniquely tailored to pre-schoolers, adolescents, teenagers, and adults. Consider organizing a sensitivity training in your Shul, schools, and/or communities […]

Day 21: Read "Like Me"

Though a person with a disability might sometimes look different than “average”, that’s just about where the difference stops. Both those with and without disabilities want to feel appreciated, a sense of belonging, and support. In the poem entitled “Like Me” a young child learns that he’s not so different from his friend with disabilities. […]

Day 20: SWAG Day!

SWAG is more than just random apparel showing off your interests. It publicizes the missions and philosophies that you align with, informing countless others of what goals you’d like to accomplish. By wearing your Yachad SWAG today, you’ll help spread the mission of inclusion and the belief that every person belongs in our community. Find […]

Day 19: Proactively Invite People Into Your Conversations

We have all been there. Glancing around the room on the first day of camp, a networking event, or community dinner wondering “Will I have anyone to talk to? It looks like everyone already knows each other!” The reality is that entering a conversation can truly be a difficult experience. But you probably also remember […]