It was a project two years in the making, but now people with disabilities and their families have access to a comprehensive resource guide that provides information about the Jewish organizations in Toronto and elsewhere that offer relevant services.
Susie Sokol, the director and co-founder of Dani (Developing Nurturing and Independence) – a parent-driven organization that serves individuals with disabilities as well as their families and caregivers, and helps
people with physical and/or cognitive challenges integrate into the community – said The Toronto Jewish Disability Resource Guide is the first of its kind in our area.
“This is the first one in Toronto. And in many other cities, I don’t think there is one to this extent,” Sokol said.
The 140-page resource guide for people with disabilities and their families lists resources that cater to their needs both locally and abroad.
In addition to a list of camps, schools, synagogues and other organizations that work to accommodate children and adults with disabilities, the resource guide also provides a list of articles, links and other resources in Canada, the United States, England, Israel and South Africa, that help to inform members of the Jewish community about ways to foster a more inclusive society.
She explained that about four years ago, she initiated a partnership with a number of Toronto-based organizations that work with adults and children with special needs, including Reena, Jewish Family & Child, Friendship Circle and Zareinu Educational Centre.
The idea behind the Toronto Jewish Disability Network, which includes UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Itanu Toronto, was to address some of the frustrations parents who have children with special needs feel when trying to find services and support to help their children lead productive lives.
“A few years ago, we started the Toronto Jewish Disability Network… We got together and decided that we would form a group and also look at what is missing in Toronto, seeing what is duplicated, making sure there are enough services for everyone of all ages. For example, make sure there is a Purim party for older kids, for adults, and that everyone is invited and everyone knows about it,” Sokol said.
“We thought we’d put out a resource guide. This was our first project – to put together articles, links, information about which shuls are wheelchair accessible, what community organizations will accept adults and how they will support them.”
She said about two years ago, the network members started working on the guide, and it took them about a year and a half to collect all the information, find someone to underwrite the project, and produce it.
“We wanted the guide to be free for families. We did not want parents to pay for it.”
On Oct. 11, a book launch for the resource guide attracted about 100 people who gathered to celebrate.
“Parents can come to Dani to pick up a copy for their synagogue, for themselves, for their organization, for anybody,” Sokol said.
“I’ve had incredible feedback. They’ve said, ‘This is perfect, this is what we’ve needed.’ There is lots of good information for families to navigate the system. It is information for doctors. I got a call from a doctor who has been practising for 30 years, and he said, ‘I had my first patient with autism. Where can I direct him?’ Rabbis and educators can also see what’s out there.”
She said a new website dedicated to the resource guide is currently under construction. “It will be a one-stop shop for families, professionals – everyone can look at this website and see what’s available, see who is coming to town to speak, update the resource guide and… see what’s happening.”
