The Goodbye and the Return to the USA

Our last sunset in Israel

The view from our balcony the morning we left for the airport

Hey Everyone!

Laura and I have been back in the United States for one week now, and it feels so strange to be so far away from the people we met during our time in Israel. We are both very happy to see our families and friends, but there is definitely a sense of longing to spend time with the amazing people we met during our short 6 weeks in Israel.

By visiting as many places as we could where people with disabilities work and live, I believe that I was able to see how people with disabilities in a completely different society go about happy and meaningful lives. The framework of the laws and the opportunities for people with disabilities are not identical to the United States. By taking a 6-week peek into the culture of disability laws and disability services, I feel more appreciative of the power of community. Israel has a strong sense of community--I believe this is a driving force for the disability rights movement for Israeli citizens. By giving individuals as much self-advocacy as possible, the person's needs are more likely to be met.

When Laura and I attended the United Nations on Wednesday to overhear discussions on the rights of people with disabilities, it seemed as if self-advocacy is a huge goal. I remember various speakers from multiple countries mentioning how people with disabilities need to be given the resources to express what they want. Instead of having the government or other authority figures decide what is best for a person with a disability, every effort should be made to give that person the right to make his/her own decisions.

I also recognize that it will take me a long time to fully appreciate all of the experiences I had while in Israel. As time passes, I will learn more and more about people with disabilities in the United States and I will be able to reference my past experiences in Israel. I am so excited that the learning and synthesizing process does not end here!

Before I sign out of this blog for the last time, I would like to leave everyone with a video that the Commission for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities showed at the United Nations. It shows that when a group of people come together to fight for what is fair, the possibilities are inspiring.

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE VIDEO IN YOUTUBE (English subtitles)

Elwyn Week Three

Elwyn Week Three

This week began with two trips, both of which have been some of my favorite experiences at Elwyn. On Sunday we visited Ashkelon, a city that is just 6 miles from the Gaza Strip, the territory in which much conflict takes place. While the services in Ashkelon were similar to many occupational training centers and sheltered workshops that Elwyn operates elsewhere in Israel, the threat of war creates a unique issue for the Elwyn center in Ashkelon.

From the sound of a warning alarm, residents of Ashkelon only have 40 seconds to seek refuge in a bomb shelter. This means that at Elwyn, staff must maintain order and lead the dozens of people with disabilities into a relatively small shelter room in the building in under a minute. Moreover, even more challenging is the fact that during prolonged violence the facility may have to close for an extended period. For example, during last November’s unrest, the frequent dropping of bombs on Ashkelon required that the facility be closed for about a week. This creates a unique challenge for the individuals as well as their families, residential staff, or caregivers. Additionally, this also leads to an interruption in services for people with disabilities.

 

The Bomb Shelter in Elwyn Ashkelon

One thing this experience has made me realize is that there is no correct answer for handling services for people with disabilities. Whether it is an individual’s personal preferences, religion, abilities, family, or geographical location, each of these components creates a unique circumstance that must be considered when determining where an individual would best be placed.

On Monday we had the opportunity to meet with various HR executives and supervisors in three large organizations that employ people with disabilities from Elwyn in supported employment. We spoke with representatives from BDO (a leading Israeli financial and consulting firm), Aroma Espresso Bar (one of the largest coffee shop chains in Israel), and Dan Hotel (a renowned luxury hotel chain). While our conversations varied at each site, there were a few similarities between all three that truly struck me.

In each of these companies, the managers were extremely passionate about the importance of hiring people with disabilities. They made it a priority to support their employees in creating a productive and comfortable workplace, happily implementing any necessary accommodations. In cases where other executives within the corporation were hesitant to hire people with disabilities (or hire more), the supervisors acted as an advocate, and have continued to build a relationship with Elwyn and work to find more job placements. Moreover, the individuals were happy in their work environment, developing meaningful relationships with their co-workers and, in many cases, interacting with customers.  These situations served as perfect examples of what an ideal supported employment placement should be, and I wish that others could have heard the positive words that the employees and management shared with us.

Elwyn Week Three

Elwyn Week Three

This week began with two trips, both of which have been some of my favorite experiences at Elwyn. On Sunday we visited Ashkelon, a city that is just 6 miles from the Gaza Strip, the territory in which much conflict takes place. While the services in Ashkelon were similar to many occupational training centers and sheltered workshops that Elwyn operates elsewhere in Israel, the threat of war creates a unique issue for the Elwyn center in Ashkelon.

From the sound of a warning alarm, residents of Ashkelon only have 40 seconds to seek refuge in a bomb shelter. This means that at Elwyn, staff must maintain order and lead the dozens of people with disabilities into a relatively small shelter room in the building in under a minute. Moreover, even more challenging is the fact that during prolonged violence the facility may have to close for an extended period. For example, during last November’s unrest, the frequent dropping of bombs on Ashkelon required that the facility be closed for about a week. This creates a unique challenge for the individuals as well as their families, residential staff, or caregivers. Additionally, this also leads to an interruption in services for people with disabilities.

 

The Bomb Shelter in Elwyn Ashkelon

One thing this experience has made me realize is that there is no correct answer for handling services for people with disabilities. Whether it is an individual’s personal preferences, religion, abilities, family, or geographical location, each of these components creates a unique circumstance that must be considered when determining where an individual would best be placed.

On Monday we had the opportunity to meet with various HR executives and supervisors in three large organizations that employ people with disabilities from Elwyn in supported employment. We spoke with representatives from BDO (a leading Israeli financial and consulting firm), Aroma Espresso Bar (one of the largest coffee shop chains in Israel), and Dan Hotel (a renowned luxury hotel chain). While our conversations varied at each site, there were a few similarities between all three that truly struck me.

In each of these companies, the managers were extremely passionate about the importance of hiring people with disabilities. They made it a priority to support their employees in creating a productive and comfortable workplace, happily implementing any necessary accommodations. In cases where other executives within the corporation were hesitant to hire people with disabilities (or hire more), the supervisors acted as an advocate, and have continued to build a relationship with Elwyn and work to find more job placements. Moreover, the individuals were happy in their work environment, developing meaningful relationships with their co-workers and, in many cases, interacting with customers.  These situations served as perfect examples of what an ideal supported employment placement should be, and I wish that others could have heard the positive words that the employees and management shared with us.

Pictures and Facts from Weeks 1 and 2 at Israel Elwyn

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted recently. Laura and I have both been exhausted by how much traveling we do during the week (and on weekends!). Some of the cities we have visited in the last week include:

• Beit Shemesh
• Nes Harim
• Haifa
• Yokneam
• Ra' anana
• Tel Aviv
• Herzliya

We have visited many sheltered workshops, integrated competitive employment workplaces, residential apartments for people with disabilities, and recreational and educational facilities for people with disabilities of all ages. We have had the pleasure of meeting with people from Israel Elwyn offices in Jerusalem, Haifa & Northern Israel, El Quds (located in the Old City, designed to provide services to Arabic speakers), and Sharon & Central Israel.

This is a gift shop where workers in the sheltered workshop can buy personal items with their salaries

Here are some brief notes that I wrote down while talking with Elwyn staff and affiliates:

• People working in sheltered workshops get a government subsidy for transportation; however, people who move to supported employment lose the transportation subsidy unless the person lives in a government-funded supported housing setting
• Many sheltered workshops in Israel pay workers between 200-500 shekels per month (less than $140 USD)
• The NGOs in Israel that provide housing and employment services to people with disabilities have to apply to receive money to provide services to specific individuals
• Approximately 70% of people with disabilities live at home with their families, 30% are in institutions, group homes, or apartments

Scanning station that people with disabilities use to scan large documents

Mainly, the people with disabilities scan documents for Hebrew University

People with disabilities took apart old electronics in order to recycle the parts

This is a break room at one of the highest paying sheltered workshops in Jerusalem

One of the things I found very interesting at the sheltered workshops and the competitive supported employment settings was the fact that Israel implements an adapted minimum wage. According to this policy, a person with a disability can make less money based on lower productivity than a non-disabled peer worker.

Shelter workshop where the workers were packaging puzzles

Some of the pottery goods that people with disabilities made for sale in local markets and malls

Laura and I also got to speak with some Elwyn staff about vocational rehabilitation services that Elwyn offers. One of the programs we found to be quite impressive was one that the office in Herzliya mentioned. This program attracts young people (teens to early twenties) to come to the office to socialize and discuss proper work etiquette. The Elwyn facilitator sets up flashcards and activities to encourage discussion and participation.

These flashcards explain why this body language is inappropriate in a job interview or workplace

Last weekend, I traveled to Tel Aviv and met up with my friend, Hannah Loeb, a music education major at University of Rhode Island and former co-worker when I used to work at a Jewish preschool day camp. We had fun at the port and at the beaches in Tel Aviv.

My friend, Hannah, and me on the beach in Tel Aviv

This weekend, I spent time with an employee from the Commission at her home in Ramot, Jerusalem. I slept over and went to pray at their neighborhood's synagogue 4 times! It was a great experience to turn off all electronics and focus on resting on the holy sabbath. Her husband and six children (ages 9 to 22) are a very welcoming bunch and I really appreciated that they "showed me the ropes" of how to keep all the rules of the sabbath. I certainly learned a lot about Judaism, Israel, and family values.

Shabbat is all about being with family. These families came to spend Shabbat with people living in Ramot (like me!) and were waiting to catch buses back to their own homes

 Laura and I were able to spend a lunch with Judge Steve Adler last Saturday. We had great conversations, excellent food, and a restful Shabbat. This week we were visited by Dr. Susanne Bruyere and were able to attend the Tower of David Evening Light Show with Rivka and Susanne. We also briefly visited Caesarea with Dr. Bruyere after we spent two days in Haifa.

Looking back on the last two weeks, I find it astonishing how much I have learned and how many places I have visited and how many people I have met. Laura and I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone that has helped us along the way (there are DEFINITELY too many names to mention).

In less than a week, Laura and I will be back in the USA. As we begin to pack and say our last goodbyes to everyone here in Israel, we both hope to be back in Israel in the near future. We are very much looking forward to sharing pictures and notes with the Employment and Disability Institute (EDI) in the ILR School at Cornell. Laura and I hope that our discussions with Elwyn and the Commission will prompt more in-depth conversations about disability employment policies and practices long after we return to America.

A Reflection On My First Week at Elwyn

I can’t believe Lawrence and I are already starting week 2 at Elwyn! My experience at Elwyn has been vastly different than the Commission, and they are constantly keeping us busy and on our toes. While at the Commission I spent my days doing research for policy development, at Elwyn I am visiting the sites where these policies will be taking effect, which is great to see.

  

Our supervisor, Janet, has put together an incredible schedule for us, with each day packed with various site visits and meetings. So far we have visited sheltered workshops, several competitive employment sites (Triumph factory, a bakery, the Knesset), as well as several residential facilities. While I knew about all the different services Elwyn provides, actually seeing them all in action and how they differ based on individuals’ needs has left me incredibly impressed. I’ve seen things as different as the Elwyn dental facility to the sensory garden to a theatre group rehearsal.

Sensory Garden- Sight Section

Sensory Garden- Touch Section

Sensory Garden- Touch Section (fur underneath a table)

Sensory Garden- Sound Section (drums)

Sensory Garden- Smell Section

Many of the programs and services Elwyn provides are on par with the expectations of the global disability community. Elwyn’s competitive employment placements are impressive and the job coaches and placement staff are incredibly dedicated to helping the individuals obtain and maintain meaningful employment.  We saw several employees working well in integrative settings, enjoying their jobs and interacting with their co-workers; yet, we also saw the challenges that go along with such employment, by speaking with managers who noted the extra difficulties associated with employing people with disabilities and seeing a job coach fighting with a worker who refused to do her job.

A worker with a disability making pies

Cakes decorated by a worker with a disability

Elwyn also showed us a few of their different residential models. On the Jerusalem campus, there are several buildings that house individuals with disabilities, all of which have easy access to the on-site medical, dental, and health clinics as well as the various workshops operated by Elwyn. While the extensiveness of the services available are impressive, I wonder how much interaction with the wider community the residents there experience. On the other hand, we also visited one of the apartments operated by Elwyn, which houses six individuals with disabilities and has one staff member on duty all times. The residents of the apartment were extremely high functioning and self-sufficient; they did their own laundry, helped in the kitchen, navigated public transportation on their own, and had the independence to come and go as they pleased. Their home was comparable to some of the group homes in America, but I really liked that it was in an apartment building in the city (right above a supermarket) where the individuals were able to directly interact with neighbors and the wider community.

 

Ceramics studio- individuals at Elwyn decorate the pottery and sell it; they keep all profits

A room with all the products made by individuals serviced by Elwyn 

In short, Elwyn really does provide something for everyone! Last week I spoke with a speech pathologist at Elwyn that made aliyah from New Jersey, and she said that Israeli services and programs for people with disabilities were behind the United States, but the gap is closing.  Seeing Elwyn’s services has made me believe that she is right. While some of its programs may be a bit inconsistent with those in the USA, specifically in terms of sheltered employment, the competitive employment models it has been developing and their great apartments are clearly more cutting edge.  Furthermore, their innovative and creative offerings such as a professional theatre group for people with disabilities at the Israel Museum that has gained hundreds of community fans, are something that I would love to see instituted by other organizations around the world.

The Long Weekend- Lawrence's travels

From Jerusalem to Eilat to Mitzpe Ramon to Beersheba and back!

Hello! Tomorrow Laura and I start at Elwyn, so this past weekend we both decided to do some sightseeing. Laura went to Tel Aviv to visit some family friends. I decided to figure out the bus systems in Israel so that I could travel to Eilat (the southernmost tip of Israel). It is a beach resort town. The temperature reached 104 degrees! I was not ready for that. The beaches were crowded on Shabbat and the mall that was next door was 50% open.

After 2 nights in Eilat, I traveled by bus to Mitzpe Ramon. I was able to visit Makhtesh Ramon (makhtesh means "crater," but this crater was formed through weathering, not an asteroid). I hiked through the top of the crater and took pictures, especially when I saw various ibex. They look like a deer that is the size of a dog.

After seeing the Ramon Crater for a day, I traveled back to Jerusalem by transferring buses in Beersheva. On the bus, I met a 19 year old female Israeli soldier. We talked about the military service in Israel and how weapon laws and protection are much stricter than in the United States. Even at breakfast today, I spoke with a family from Sweden that said they were too afraid to visit the United States because of the lack of gun control. It made me realize what I different world I live in in the United States.

The female worker from the Ramon Crater visitor center showed me where the bus stop was. She said she was going to a wedding in Beersheva. When she started walking away from the bus stop, I asked, "Where are you going, I thought you said you are going to Beersheva too?" And she replied, "I am, but I am going to hitchhike because the bus will make me late." She had a little giggle because she realized that in America, a pretty young female like her would NEVER hitchhike. I do not plan to hitchhike AT ALL just to make that clear, but I find it inspiring that a nation like Israel can be safe enough that people can get into cars with strangers and not worry about guns and violence.

Desert Monitor "showing off his good side" --> he could use some moisturizer!

 Taking the stereotypical "American selfie" picture on a bench at the edge of the Makhtesh

They have 3.5% milk! I'm stunned.

This is an example of what the buses looked like. I feel like I was one of the only tourists on these inter-city buses! We passed through a bunch of military bases and small towns to pick up passengers.

After I arrived at the Beersheva Bus Station, I transferred to a bus that went to Jerusalem and made it back to the apartment safely. Traveling in Israel can be difficult when you do not understand the Hebrew language, but it is definitely possible. If I can do it all on my own, I am sure other people can do it too.

The Yale University "Whiffenpoofs" all-male Class of 2013 A Capella concert

I forgot to mention that last week, I tagged along with one of Laura and my acquaintances to see an A Capella concert at the Jerusalem YMCA. I got a little lost using the bus system trying to find the place, but it happens. The Whiffenpoofs are traveling all around the world to do concerts. Since Laura and I were not able to get tickets for Barbra Streisand's concert (Bill Clinton, Sharon Stone, and Robert DeNiro also showed up here in Jerusalem to celebrate President Shimon Peres's 90th birthday), I feel that the Whiffenpoofs are the next closest thing. At least it is the closest thing in my price range!

A Reflection on my Time at the Commission

Today was our last day at the Commission. It is bittersweet to be concluding our time there, but I definitely feel that I accomplished a lot over the last three weeks. As we submitted our final report, Lawrence and I talked about how it seems like only yesterday that we were given the lofty research assignment, and even though we were concerned about finishing it on time, we are now so proud of the 55 page comprehensive analysis we put together on sheltered workshop policies in Austria, Canada, the UK, and the USA.

This morning I met with Gaby for a couple of hours to go over some last minute questions about my work on the accessibility document that I edited and wrote a brief report on for the UN. She explained to me how helpful it was for the Commission, as nobody in the office would have been capable of translating such a long document into proper English and how excited they are to be able to share with other nations the accessibility policies that Israel is implementing. Hearing that certainly made all of the hard work and time worth while!

Additionally, this afternoon Lawrence and I had a final meeting with The Commissioner, Gaby and Yisrael to discuss our findings and reflect on our experiences at the Commission. It was interesting to examine what other countries and certain states' orientations are toward sheltered workshops, particularly as Israel is grappling with determining how to address them. Even though I already have my opinions regarding the effectiveness and viability of workshops, I think that the conversation and my work over the past few weeks has caused me to reflect on other factors and issues that I never fully considered. Every country we discussed has had their successes and failures in the way that they handle workshops, and I think that Israel is trying to take a step back and really learn from other nation's examples (and failures) before they formulate the details of their own policies. Being able to speak to the Commissioner about my work and resultant findings and recommendations truly made me feel like I made a significant contribution toward the development of the sheltered workshop bill in Israel, which is extremely rewarding.

This experience has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am so grateful to the Commission and all those at EDI, Cornell, and in Israel who made my internship possible. I am sure that my time at Elwyn will prove to be just as valuable.

Shalom,

Laura

Week 3 in Jerusalem: Dead Sea, Hebrew University, and Babies?

My first time on a bus in Israel, a busy mother asks me to hold onto her red-headed baby for a few minutes

Week 3 in Jerusalem

Hi friends!

Laura and I have been finishing up our project at the Commission for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities. Next week we will begin our work at Israel Elwyn. For information, check out Elwyn's website by clicking here.

On Sunday, Laura and I took the green Egged bus #68 to Hebrew University to sit in on a labor law class taught by Judge Steve Adler. He is a visiting professor at Cornell University during the fall semester. As you can see from the picture, our first time on the bus was exciting! Not only do bus drivers make change for passengers while making left turns through intersections, but passengers who have their hands full might plop a baby in your lap!

During Judge Adler's class, we learned about child labor law violations in Israel. A guest presenter from a union in Israel told us that approximately 70% of small business owners in Israel violate child labor laws. We saw hidden video footage of employers making threats to their teenage employees telling them that the union organizers were frauds. Many of these employers make threats to the young employees or take away their shifts so that youth workers will be afraid to pursue their workers' rights. It was also very interesting to see the variety of students in the class and what they had to say about the subject. Hebrew University is very diverse: men, women, Jews, Muslims, Christians, young students, and older students all take classes together, mostly in Hebrew and sometimes in English.

Over the weekend, Laura and I decided to travel to the Dead Sea, Masada, and Ein Gedi. On Monday, we did the City of David tunnels which were narrow, had low ceilings, and had water up to our knees! Yesterday we did the Western Wall Tunnels. We plan on traveling a bit this weekend as well.

At work, surprisingly, we still have some trouble getting through security. We work in a high-rise government building where we have our bags searched upon entry and are questioned about where we are going and what we are doing. The other day, the new guards decided to ask Laura and me for our photo IDs. We showed our state driver's licenses and our State of Israel Border Control tickets, but the guards told us that we need to carry our passports since we are not Israeli citizens. We were a bit frustrated considering we have been working here for 3 weeks and it seems like every morning we get interrogated by various guards who act as if they have never seen us before and do not know about the Commission at all. All the full-time employees simply swipe and card and walk right into the building. Then we realized that these guards are being extra safe by trying to make sure that anyone who seems the slightest bit suspicious does not get into any government offices. While it can be frustrating and somewhat difficult to enter the building each morning, we both agree that we feel very safe (and that's how it should be).

Tomorrow is our last day working at the Commission. It has been a very rigorous and enlightening experience for both of us. We have a long itinerary planned by Elwyn, so we will likely have many blog posts to share with you in the coming weeks!

And onto week 3!

Shalom Havirm (Hello Friends),

I cannot believe that I am already beginning my third week here in Israel. With each passing day I am constantly finding new places and learning interesting facts that continue to instill in me a greater appreciation for this amazing country and its culture.

At the Commission, I have really enjoyed learning more about Israeli accessibility laws through my work on the regulations. I am almost done with the document, and I just have to finish up writing the abstract for its presentation at the United Nations. Lawrence and I are also very fortunate to be able to attend the UN conference in New York City with the Israeli Commission the week after we return to the States. I also began working on some research that will serve as background information for a new bill the Commission is drafting to better regulate sheltered workshops. Because my experience has been so focused on learning about integrative opportunities for employment, I really appreciate having the opportunity to conduct an in depth study of sheltered workshops and their development in the United States, as I now have a much better foundation in disability history particularly as it relates to sheltered workshops. Next week I will start to look at practices in England, so it will be interesting to learn more about the UK’s position on sheltered workshops. Also, I wanted to convey my sincere appreciation to all of the EDI staff that so quickly responded to my information requests with helpful responses! Thank you!

 Outside of work Lawrence and I have also been keeping busy. We did some more touring this week and I actually just returned from a trip to Ein Gedi, Masada, and the Dead Sea. We also were lucky enough to spend some time with Judy, who departed from her visit yesterday.  Judy arranged a meeting for us with Rivka and Judge Adler, both of whom have been great resources during our time here.  Judge Adler invited us to attend his final class of the semester at Hebrew University’s law school tomorrow, and although understanding the Hebrew might be a challenge, I am eager to experience what a labor law class is like in Israel. On Thursday, Rivka also took Judy, Lawrence and I out for a tour of the area around Hadassah hospital and Ein Karem. Rivka has been such a fantastic resource since we've arrived, and she's dedicated so much time to giving Lawrence and I a local experience of Israel. 

Judy,  Lawrence and me in Ein Karem

Rivka and me in the desert near her daughter Navit's house. 

 Judy also provided us with the updated itinerary for our upcoming internship with Elwyn, which is extremely exciting! They have put together an amazing schedule for Lawrence and I, including trips to Haifa, the Knesset, and meetings with businessmen in Israel. While I am loving my work at the Commission, I am also looking forward to this very different experience.

Thanks for keeping up to date with our posts and for your regular comments. I look forward to sharing more about my experiences here soon!

Laura 

P.S. For those interested in reading more daily updates from our Israel adventures, I have also been keeping a personal travel blog that can be found here: http://whereintheworldislaurab.wordpress.com/