Self-Advocacy for Women & Teens with Disabilities

The goal for this program for women with disabilities is to reduce possible situations of risk and harm; to help them identify and cope with risky situations; and for them to be aware of and able to utilize the assistance resources that suit their needs. The project discussions and activities cover the subjects of healthy and unhealthy relationships; early signs of harm and violence; empowerment through self-defense; and assistance and support resources in all matters related to violence, sexual harassment, and rape. 

This year, there have been 41 direct participants: 15 in our Rishon LeZion,12 in our Taibe employment centers, and 14 women in our Kfar Saba employment center. Our workshop in Taibe is in an Arab community and it was our first time working with this population. We discovered that, even though it was a workshop for adult women, it was mandatory to involve the parents due to the sensitive and sexual nature of the program’s information. Once they accepted this and the workshop was well underway, the leaders suggested to the participating women that they should include their parents in the final meeting. They refused. They claimed that it was their intimate meeting, a safe space between them, and not for their parents. The fact they empowered themselves with the right to say “no,” understanding that the decision might not please others, tells us that they assimilated the entire concept of the program. 

We are developing follow-up refresher programs for those who completed the project to sustain their knowledge, peer group, and confidence. Integrating the program’s concepts into their consciousness this way also adapts our organization’s DNA to one of self-advocacy and empowerment.

Also as a result of this program, we plan to set a nationwide standard practice for all disability service organizations in combating exploitation and trauma. The new program, “Organization-wide Awareness of Exploitation and Trauma,” its process, and tools will be presented to the Israel Standards Institute as a new “Quality Standards Mark.” The Quality Standards Mark will define the professional standards each organization must achieve to be certified as providing exploitation/trauma awareness and support services for people with disabilities.

After the Chimes employees receive the trauma program training, we are considering revamping the program to have the local employees act as the leaders of the program’s refresher and ongoing education on the subject of empowerment, abuse, and exploitation.