Yachad has been known throughout the special needs community as a leader in inclusiveness and providing support and services to individuals with disabilities and their families. Yachad programs–including social and recreational programs, inclusive summer experiences, as well as special education–have changed the landscape for participants, families and volunteers.
For too long, there has been a void in having a centralized database and referral system for all special needs related questions. Until now, those with questions have called a cousin or a friend who they knew had someone with a connection, however distant it was. Often, the information they received was wrong, whether it was related to a different disability or was biased based on an experience.
Now, Yachad has launched REACH: A Jewish resource & referral service for individuals with disabilities. This first of its kind database has been meticulously built over the past year and can pinpoint the best option(s) based on almost any combination of variables including diagnosis, location or even coed/separate gender programs. For the launch, the database has been built around serving the NY Jewish community, with other states being added rapidly.
How it works – When calling the helpline, the caller will be greeted by a trained professional who will take the time to get to know the individual in need of services. At the same time the professional will be adding relevant data into the database system, which will develop the most appropriate and unbiased referral(s). The caller will receive an email with the cultivated and pinpointed suggestions after the call is completed including the name, phone, address, email & website to contact.
This is a real game changer for those who are looking for ways to better the lives of those who live with disabilities.
To receive a referral please call 1-877-Reach-52 (732-2452), or to be added to the referral database please contact reach@ou.org