Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of
America
Department of Public Relations
Main Office:
333 Seventh Ave.
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-613-8321
Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail: media@ou.org
Sharyn Perlman
Director
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LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: Mainstreaming Sports Event Unites Handicapped and Non-Handicapped Athletes Standing six foot and wearing a purple sweatsuit with a matching sweatband, Eytan Chill seems like any 22-year-old who likes to play basketball. But unlike most young adults, Chill is developmentally disabled. An irrepressible sports lover, Chill will be among a group of 200 developmentally disabled and non-disabled athletes who will attend the National Jewish Council for the Disabled’s Good Sports event, Sunday, January 24, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., at the Edward R. Murrow High School, 1600 Avenue L in Brooklyn. Kenneth J. Podziba, Commissioner of the New York City Sports Commission, will visit the Good Sports Program to get a first-hand look at handicapped and non-handicapped players competing at hockey, basketball, volleyball, bowling, aerobics and other sports. "While the Special Olympics offer the disabled an opportunity for athletic development, it’s a self-contained program. Good Sports is the only program that unites the disabled and the non-disabled, giving them equal opportunity on the court and leveling the playing field," said Dr. Jeff Lichtman, National Director of the NJCD. Launched in 1992, the monthly athletic program draws players with developmental disabilities ages 9-55 and mainstream athletes from public and private schools throughout the NY metropolitan region. Disabled players are grouped according to age, level of disability and skill. The program is led by highly trained physical education instructors with training in special education. With over 35 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, the NJCD, an agency of the Orthodox Union, is the only national resource center providing state-of-the-art programs, information, guidance and referral services for those with special needs in the Jewish community. Yachad, a division of the NJCD, provides a unique range of social, recreational and religious interactive activities, serving the needs of nearly 1,000 developmentally disabled children and adults. All Yachad programs are mainstreamed, bringing individuals with developmental disabilities together with their non-handicapped peers, and serving the entire spectrum of the Jewish community. The Orthodox Union, celebrating 100 years of service to the Jewish community of America and countries around the world, is a foremost leader in youth work, advocacy for the disabled, synagogue services, adult education and political action. Its kosher supervision label, the OU, is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 200,000 products in 59 countries around the globe. For more information on the Good Sports Program or the NJCD, call (212) 613-8229. -30-
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