Tuesday-August 27th. Conversations.

     Today was a big day of conversations. I end it feeling inspired and overwhelmed with ideas and questions about our "system" in place for supporting individuals that experience a disability. Not to say that it is all bad. But I think there is so much more that can be done.

     I started at Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono meeting with Dr. Shira, Naama, Judy (from Ono) and Naama from Bizchut (I'll keep last names private). I also met with a man named Yoav who is an activist, a teacher at Ono and David Yellin College (Jerusalem) who teaches nine different classes, most on disability rights and advocacy. He also has a job in the government and is a respected and inspirational person. Talking with him was both challenging and rewarding, because he has a lot of insightful things to say and tough questions to ask. Incidentally, he was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. This last fact is irrelevant to anything else. Because he is a person doing amazing things. But I think it is important to mention, because if you didn't know him, and judged him on his appearance, you may not even consider talking to him.
     Ono Academic College is doing wonderful and ground breaking work, as far as offering quality education to groups of individuals that may not have otherwise gained adequate education. One example, is that they have a class that is teaching marketable skills to a group of young adults with Apergers. Once they are done with the program, they will be able to gain meaningful employment that suites their unique skills. The point is not to look at people's disabilities, but to focus on the ABILITY. It is a huge difference and a way of thinking.
     I also met Shmulik today, who is a wonderful man who is one of Full Access' partner in the work exchange that will be visiting the US, along with Naama and Naama. His goal is to learn as much as he can about self advocacy and teaching others how to do the same. Self advocacy is not as simple as it sounds, as I am learning. It can relate to making small choices on your own, all the way to learning about policy around disability rights and working to change policy. Shmulik teaches a course on self advocacy for people with disabilities (but I will talk more about that later). Shmulik is considered an expert due to the fact that he himself experiences a cognitive disability.

American Embassy Lobby

   
     After Ono we met with the American Embassy in Tel Aviv and discussed what we are doing and what the goals for the exchange are.


 

     I did get to spend some time with Shmulik, Esther and Shira walking around Tel Aviv. Something I have been doing on a regular basis in Israel is "getting a coffee". The coffee here is good. We also sat next to the Mediterranean Sea. It was beautiful, and served as a good place to continue conversation.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, in the distance is Jaffa

 Info on Tel Aviv, Israel

Coffee! A necessity today.

Shira and Shmulik

Shmulik and I

Tel Aviv has lots of "self expression" painted on buildings.

Tel Aviv by the Sea & Boardwalk.

The Beach and the Mediterranean Sea

Shmulik and I by the Mediterranean Sea

  

 Later on in the evening we met with Akim Israel in Holon. They are a large organization that was started by parents of persons with intellectual disabilities. They are becoming a model for others in Israel. Akim runs an advocacy workshop for individuals. They also work with a lawyer and her students assisting parents and individuals with disabilities in learning about their rights and advocating for them on different levels. They have a parent run hotline where parents can call in and get peer advice on different subjects, and hope to have one for the individuals who experience disabilities themselves.

Akim Israel Advocacy Workshop