Prizmah Conference Shira Ruderman Presentation

Inclusion: A vision and a mindset Shira Ruderman Director, RFF

Vision: Including each, strengthening all • Vision: spread the mindset of inclusion across en9re organiza9ons, communi9es, socie9es, and lives.

• Why focus on mindset?

• With a mindset of inclusion, everyone feels welcome and anything is possible.

• Money is not everything.

Inclusion in the schools • Inclusive schools prepare children to be more independent, and be,er ci.zens throughout their lives, in higher educa9on, worship, employment, etc.

• There are benefits for children with all abili9es.

• Inclusion promotes acceptance and trust, and decreases prejudice (Sirlopu et al., 2008).

• Inclusion benefits academic skills (Stahmer & Carter, 2005).

Holis9c approach Schools

• We promote inclusion throughout all sectors, and the en9re life cycle.

• Educa9on is cri9cal at every stage.

Recrea9on

Camps

Synagogues

Hollywood

Housing

Synagogues

Employment Hollywood

Higher educa9on

Government

Holis9c approach • All organiza9ons need to be inclusive • Every school • Every synagogue • Every camp, etc.

• Community of prac9ce • Share ideas and collaborate • One change is a catalyst for another

Holis9c approach • Our work throughout all sectors of society includes advocacy and programs.

Holis9c approach • Inclusion is NOT an isolated program within an organiza9on.

Hiring

Board

Website

Inclusive and accessible Building

Programming

Mindset

A mindset in a school • As school leaders…

• Iden2fy small changes you can make now. Then, share these changes with the en9re school community. This shows that inclusion is a priority.

• Add welcoming language on the school website.

• Encourage parents, students, and teachers to use you as a resource. You might not be able to answer all of their ques9ons, but you want to try.

• Include pictures of students with disabili9es in promo9onal materials.

• Consider inclusion across all ac9vi9es – educa9ng students, hiring teachers, purchasing supplies from inclusive corpora9ons, etc.

• Communicate to donors that inclusion is essen9al. We can’t afford to exclude 20% of our popula9on.

A mindset in a school • As teachers…

• Celebrate diversity and inclusion.

• Model kindness, flexibility, and crea9vity.

• View inclusion as an opportunity for collabora9on and professional development.

• Recognize the contribu9on that each child can make to the classroom community. Communicate this contribu9on to the class, to parents, and to the school.

• Ask all parents about their children’s unique strengths and weaknesses. If appropriate, ask the children, too!

Thank you!

• Any ques9ons or comments?