Examining our Responsiveness to Disability

Please respond to this short (10-15 minute) survey so that we can learn how best to make our congregation and programs fully accessible and welcoming to all who wish to participate. As a first step, we are focusing on the inclusion of people with physical, developmental, learning, visual, auditory, and/or sensory disability or mental illness. This survey is part of an initiative that will ultimately examine multiple aspects of inclusion: disability, LGBTQ, Jews of Color, interfaith families, Jews by choice, and more. We will be assisted in our work on disability inclusion by the Ruderman Foundation/CJP, which has selected Ohabei Shalom as one of its Partner Congregations in the Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project.

At Ohabei Shalom, we are committed to fulfilling the core teaching in our tradition - that all humanity is created b'tzelem Elohim (in the image of the Divine). While we have made great strides in creating an inclusive community, we know there is always room for improvement and that many voices need to be heard in order to ensure that all feel welcome. We hope that you will help us with this important initiative that lies at the core of who we are as a sacred community.

Even if you do not have or anticipate any need for accommodations, please take the time to complete this survey. This is a congregation-wide initiative. Please respond to this survey by October 21, 2016.

If you require accommodations in order to participate in this survey, please let us know by phone at 617-277-6610 or by email at community@ohabei.org.

NOTE: Once you have completed and submitted the survey, it is not possible re-open it to change your answers.

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* 1. Do you or a family member need support to fully access TOS's community?

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* 2. Tell us about yourself (please check all that apply)

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* 3. What is the age range of the respondent?

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* 4. What is the age range of the individual(s) with disabilities identified above, if any?

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* 5. How physically accessible is the TOS facility?

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* 6. Please check all boxes that apply to you and/or a family member facing barriers to participation in congregational life at TOS.

  Unacceptable Acceptable Excellent n/a
Entrances & exits (buildings, classrooms, door handles, how doors open)
Hallways & other areas (classrooms, sanctuary foyer, etc.)
Restrooms (sinks, commodes, towel bars, grab bars)
Chapel (areas to accommodate those using crutches, wheelchairs, etc.)
Chapel (access to bimah/podium)
Chapel (sound system)
Sanctuary (areas to accommodate those using crutches, wheelchairs, etc.)
Sanctuary (access to bimah/podium)
Sanctuary (sound system)
Visual accommodation (large print prayer book, lighting, etc.)
Access to lower & upper floors and social spaces (Penn-Spero, Lissner, etc.)
Accessible parking spaces
Safe "drop off/pick up" zones for people and supplies
Educational support at TCEE
Educational support at ARS

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* 7. How do the above building conditions affect full participation in synagogue life at TOS for you or a family member? Please describe.

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* 8. Have you experienced or observed TOS effectively include someone with a disability (can be you, a family member, a guest or fellow congregant)? Please describe

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* 9. In which programs would you or a family member participate if there were accommodations available? (High Holy Days or other services, dinners, learning programs, Shalom@Home, Board and committee meetings, social events off site, youth group activities, etc.) Please be as specific as possible.

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* 10. What suggestions do you have for making TOS a more inclusive congregation?

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* 11. Do you want to be involved in planning and implementation for this initiative? (If so, please provide contact details below, in question 17.)

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* 12. Are you a professional who works with children and/or adults with disabilities?

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* 13. If you are comfortable doing so, please describe the nature of your disabilities.

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* 14. Please describe what accommodations you would need in order to fully participate at Temple Ohabei Shalom.

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* 15. Are you a member of Temple Ohabei Shalom?

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* 16. May we contact you?

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* 17. (Optional) Please provide your contact details.

Thank you very much for your participation! Please complete this survey by Friday October 21, 2016.

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