Jewish Federation of St. Louis has developed a survey to assess the disability resources in place in the St. Louis Jewish community and the gaps that exist. Federation asks that anyone living with a person who has disabilities fill out the survey so it can gather essential information. The survey can be accessed online at www.JFedStl.org/disabilities-survey and will be open until July 3.

The survey is part of the Inclusion/Disabilities Initiative that Federation launched early this year. Once it gets input from professionals, lay leaders, people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, Federation will develop a strategic plan to prioritize areas that need improvement so that Jews with disabilities can be active participants in the Jewish community.

Eileen Schechter, whose adult daughter Stephanie has Down syndrome, says she is thrilled that Federation is taking on this initiative. “We need to make everyone feel welcome in our community,” Schechter says. “The survey is a terrific idea. If we get a good response, it will help us identify the community’s needs.” Schechter, who is also chair of the Committee for Services to People with Disabilities at the Jewish Community Center, says while her daughter feels very welcome in the community, everyone’s experience is different. “I’ve been in touch with lots of people, and not everyone feels their needs are being met,” she said.

For more information about the survey or Federation’s Disability Initiative, please contact Susan Scribner at 314-442-3846 or email [email protected].