Center for Independent Living Helps People with Disabilities Discover Their Abilities

Michele was tragically disabled while giving birth to her fifth child in 1995. Despite her new wheelchair-bound reality, Michele, an immigrant from the United States, refused to let her disability limit her contribution to Israeli society. She volunteered at the hospital to help other newly-disabled people like herself, and later began to volunteer on an English Speaking Crisis Hotline.

Earlier this year, when she heard of the recently established Center for Independent Living (CIL), Michele offered to apply her counseling experience at CIL. For Michele, that involvement was an eye-opening experience.

"It had not even occurred to me how dependent I really was, " Michele admitted. "It was only after I became involved in the Center for Independent Living that I realized I had hardly been out in public alone for eight years."

Creating such an awareness of one's abilities is among the primary goals of CIL, a JDC-supported community based multi-service center, designed, managed and operated by disabled individuals. CIL aims to maximize abilities rather than emphasize disabilities in order to make a significant difference in daily life for the disabled. Such awareness of her potential was attained by Michele after meeting others who utilized – and helped carry out – CIL's services.

"For the first time, I saw others more disabled than myself carrying on their lives independently, doing seemingly mundane things like going to the grocery story on their own," Michele describes. "CIL helped changed my view of the world."

Today, as the Director of CIL's Peer Counseling, Michele and her committee of volunteers are providing practical assistance to disabled individuals in order to reduce their dependence on friends or family for daily living.

"People call to ask a technical question, such as their rights to purchase a specially-equipped car," describes Michele. "Often, that initial call is a stepping stone to their involvement in the Center's other activities, and a first step to their own greater independence."

In addition to peer counseling, CIL operates an emergency hotline to provide logistical support in dealing with home repairs and self-help groups. CIL also offers enrichment courses, social events, and outdoor activities to enable disabled people to benefit from enjoyable activities in a supportive environment. A database to provide an organized source of information on housing, employment and health services within the community is now being established.

CIL in Israel is the actualization of a dream of Daniella Brafman, who was disabled by polio as a child. While in the United States studying, Brafman utilized the services of a center for independent living. She dreamed of bringing the model to Israel to help her peers. This dream is now reality: the Disabled-Now Association established the first CIL in Israel with the assistance of JDC's Unit for Disabilities and Rehabilitation, as well as the support of the Israel National Insurance Institute, government ministries, donors including the Clore and Rich Foundations, the Zusman and Pell families and other partners. Brafman is the Center's Director, and CIL is now providing people with disabilities with the means and assistance they need to lead independent lives.

The pilot CIL in Jerusalem will serve roughly 2,000 disabled people in the area when fully operational, and will be staffed by 15 people with disabilities. It is expected that the Center will serve as a model for the development of other centers throughout the country.

CIL also has opened the eyes of professionals working to advance services for people with disabilities. Tamara, Director of JDC-Israel’s Unit for Disabilities and Rehabilitation, marvels at the insight she has gained by working with the professionals and volunteers at the Center.

"JDC's support of CIL has helped us understand that the aim of the disabled is not just to live at home, but to live as part of a community," Tamara explains. "It is not to go out with help, but to have the freedom to choose whether to ask for help, and if so, when and from whom."

While she offers counsel to many, Michele is now taking steps to follow her own advice: "You know the saying: 'the shoemaker's children go barefoot?' I used to think, 'I have use of my arms, and I should use them!' A manual wheelchair limits me though and it is hard to go uphill, especially in Jerusalem. So I plan to get an electric wheelchair and the equipment for my car that will enable me to use it independently. Then, I will go out more on my own."