At the Miles Nadal JCC, all of our programs are ‘all abilities’. We seek to live our vision of an inclusive community centre where everyone can contribute, and where people engage in activities based on their interests, not abilities. Accessibility is an ongoing journey, and we always have more to do to remove barriers to our programs, services, and facility. We’re guided by a Community Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusion, and a Youth Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusion – so whether it’s choir, yoga, aquatics, camps, Jewish life celebrations… our programs are designed from the start to be accessible for all.
Our Purim celebrations include multi-sensory activities, a quiet/chill room, and staff and volunteer leaders of all abilities.
Kids of all abilities can enjoy inclusive sports together.
In our DisAbility/Visibility Photography program, equipment is modified and adapted where necessary so people who identify with the experience of disability can share their expressions and visions. When the artist facilitator also has a disability, space opens up for explorations of identity, community and disability.
Our twice weekly jungle gym program brings together kids of all abilities to discover and play together. Equipment is modified where needed, and the program is staffed by staff and volunteers of all abilities.
We collaborate with arts and theatre groups like Ahuri Theatre, to create all abilities theatre and engage the community in a playful and inclusive vision.
Fitness and wellness classes welcome people of all abilities.
When we get to encounter difference in a positive way, we all learn together.
Liviya Mendelsohn is the Inclusion Director at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and the Accessibility and Inclusion Manager at the Miles Nadal JCC.
