ABOUT
THE SADNA
Integration is the modus operandi of the Sadna. "Integration" – creating a supportive social fabric that enables and encourages the development and advancement of people with special needs – in schools, in the community or in the greater society. Contrary to widespread belief, we believe that everyone is going to reap the fruits of integration; not just those that are different from us. The wonder of being able to live naturally alongside the “other” inspires and enriches all members of the community and society.
To this end, in 1997 we established the "Integration Workshop" (the Sadna)– an educational institution that develops new work methods and fosters the promotion of people with special needs in Israel and around the world. The Sadna has enriched the Israeli public discourse with new and updated models of adapted integration options based on sensitivity and accessibility, These are being adopted by various communities throughout the country, and thus the Sadna serves as a source of inspiration and as a unique address for professional knowledge for the integration of people with special needs into society.
The Sadna is comprised of two schools that develop and customize learning materials for individuals with various levels of functioning, community-based housing arrangements, and a multi-faceted employment network that includes agriculture, animal care art and the operation of a social café. Currently Sadnat Shiluv employs about 180 workers, who actively promote and advance 250 students and seventy residents. Each participant, student or resident receives a tailor-made program geared to his or her specific needs. Personal advancement goals are designed for different aspects of life, taking into consideration the special challenges that each resident faces. In this way, an environment of growth and productivity is created – one that allows for calm and tranquility but does not compromise the aspiration for constant development and progress.Sadnat Shiluv" is in the settlement of "Giv'ot", on the western slopes of Gush Etzion. At the center of the village is a unique community: fifty inspiring families who chose "integration" as their way of life and believe in the enormous value of raising their children in an inclusive community, where people with disabilities are accepted as equal members of the community. The residents of the workshop are fully integrated into the community. Each of them has an adoptive family that they stay with every week. The Sadna residents hold positions tailored to them in the various community institutions, such as the synagogue or the local library. They live in close physical and social proximity to the families of the community, door to door. They fully participate in public ceremonies, events, and community experiences – from the Independence Day ceremony, local outings, to the evening of public singing. The success and prosperity of the settlement led to the construction of apartments in other communities in Gush Etzion..
We strive to duplicate the inclusive community model in additional communities; to create diverse social spaces that proudly carry the banner of integration; and to continue to be of fountain of innovative contribution to people with special needs.Integration is the modus operandi of the Sadna. "Integration" – creating a supportive social fabric that enables and encourages the development and advancement of people with special needs – in schools, in the community or in the greater society. Contrary to widespread belief, we believe that everyone is going to reap the fruits of integration; not just those that are different from us. The wonder of being able to live naturally alongside the “other” inspires and enriches all members of the community and society.
To this end, in 1997 we established the "Integration Workshop" (the Sadna)– an educational institution that develops new work methods and fosters the promotion of people with special needs in Israel and around the world. The Sadna has enriched the Israeli public discourse with new and updated models of adapted integration options based on sensitivity and accessibility, These are being adopted by various communities throughout the country, and thus the Sadna serves as a source of inspiration and as a unique address for professional knowledge for the integration of people with special needs into society.
The Sadna is comprised of two schools that develop and customize learning materials for individuals with various levels of functioning, community-based housing arrangements, and a multi-faceted employment network that includes agriculture, animal care art and the operation of a social café. Currently Sadnat Shiluv employs about 180 workers, who actively promote and advance 250 students and seventy residents. Each participant, student or resident receives a tailor-made program geared to his or her specific needs. Personal advancement goals are designed for different aspects of life, taking into consideration the special challenges that each resident faces. In this way, an environment of growth and productivity is created – one that allows for calm and tranquility but does not compromise the aspiration for constant development and progress.
Sadnat Shiluv" is in the settlement of "Giv'ot", on the western slopes of Gush Etzion. At the center of the village is a unique community: fifty inspiring families who chose "integration" as their way of life and believe in the enormous value of raising their children in an inclusive community, where people with disabilities are accepted as equal members of the community. The residents of the workshop are fully integrated into the community. Each of them has an adoptive family that they stay with every week. The Sadna residents hold positions tailored to them in the various community institutions, such as the synagogue or the local library. They live in close physical and social proximity to the families of the community, door to door. They fully participate in public ceremonies, events, and community experiences – from the Independence Day ceremony, local outings, to the evening of public singing. The success and prosperity of the settlement led to the construction of apartments in other communities in Gush Etzion..
We strive to duplicate the inclusive community model in additional communities; to create diverse social spaces that proudly carry the banner of integration; and to continue to be of fountain of innovative contribution to people with special needs.
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The Sadna’s vision
The Sadna is a social, educational and therapeutic space which promotes individuals with disabilities in order to integrate them into society.
The modus operandi of the Sadna ( including those that have already been successfully implemented and those still in the planning stages) serve as a model and inspiration for other institutions.
The guiding principles of the Sadna
- Creating a supportive and healing community that fosters optimal development.
- Cultivating a diverse work environment, which includes physical activity and multi-sensory activation.
- Formulation of personal goals in accordance with the individuals’ educational and developmental stage.
- Building a supportsystem that will accompany the individual throughout his life.
Working according to these principles creates an active and relaxed environment. It promotes a sense of calm and relaxation while encouraging development and advancement.
The educational institutions of the Sadna advocate integration, address the needs of a myriad of disabilities and develop customized programs and learning materials for different levels of functioning .
The employment network allows every trainee to engage in satisfying and productive work with an emphasis on nature, agricultural and creative arts.
On the social side, the Sadna creates a supportive and inclusive community for those with special needs in all areas of life .
The guiding principles of the Sadna
- Creating a supportive and healing community that fosters optimal development.
- Cultivating a diverse work environment, which includes physical activity and multi-sensory activation.
- Formulation of personal goals in accordance with the individuals’ educational and developmental stage.
- Building a supportsystem that will accompany the individual throughout his life.
Working according to these principles creates an active and relaxed environment. It promotes a sense of calm and relaxation while encouraging development and advancement.
The educational institutions of the Sadna advocate integration, address the needs of a myriad of disabilities and develop customized programs and learning materials for different levels of functioning .
The employment network allows every trainee to engage in satisfying and productive work with an emphasis on nature, agricultural and creative arts.
On the social side, the Sadna creates a supportive and inclusive community for those with special needs in all areas of life .
Practical applications
schools
- The Sadna special education school for multi-disabled individuals which combines classic pedagogy with nature, flora and fauna and visual arts.
- Yuvalim: an integrated school where children with normal functioning and pupils who have emotional/ behavioral difficulties learn side by side in a program that includes physical movement, creativity and nature based activities.
In both schools, unique curricula written by the Sadna are implemented allowing each student to advance according to his abilities and challenges.
employment
- The Sadna encompasses a network of pedagogical activities and programs such as agriculture, arts & crafts, horse and animal grooming and training ( barn, stable) , carpentry, ceramics and basket weaving.
Working in these fields allows trainees to achieve their personal goals as well as acquire work experience in an active environment where there is daily contact with different people.
Housing and community
The integrated Gv’aot community was created around the Sadna and its residents are integrated into every aspect of the community life, including various roles in the synagogue and library; or in public events and ceremonies. Special needs individuals are employed in the kindergarten and day care centers, and they are an integral part of the educational services of the community. The success of the integrated Gv’aot community has inspired additional communities to take part in integration processes. As such, the Sadna has established independent living apartments for the special needs population in several communities in the Gush Etzion area.
The importance of the Sadna
By its very existence, the Sadna serves as an inspiration for co-existence between the community and the special needs population. The Sadna brings to the forefront new and adaptable discourse about integration in the school system; the work force; levels of functioning; creating customized integration plans, and tailor-made educational programs.
In light of the development of new ways of working, the Sadna positioneditself as a place of innovation and contribution to the advancement of people with disabilities in Israel.
The Sadna aims to create more communities that are open to the idea of integration and will be willing to assimilate the special needs population into the community’s institutions.
