A Creative Journey to Examine Biases
by Michelle Friedman
For over 40 years, I have been advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. As a blind woman, my journey has largely centered around individuals with physical disabilities and blindness. While I intimately understand the challenges and triumphs faced by these communities, I recognize that my expertise is limited to my own experiences.
Six years ago, my perspective on disability broadened in ways I never anticipated. Despite my deep involvement in the disability world, I had limited experience with individuals with intellectual disabilities. This lack of exposure led to unconscious biases and assumptions about their abilities and potential—biases I now feel embarrassed by. My outlook began to shift when I joined the board of Keshet, an organization devoted to creating inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities learn, play, work, and live alongside people of all abilities.
Rooted in Jewish values and serving children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Keshet's mission is both simple and profound: to empower participants to lead rich, meaningful lives by breaking down barriers and ensuring that people with disabilities are included as integral members of the community. The organization provides a range of programs, from education and recreation to adult day programming and supported independent living. Through these initiatives, Keshet empowers its participants to engage in all aspects of communal life, where they are respected and appreciated for who they are.
As I became more involved with Keshet, I not only learned about people with intellectual disabilities but also confronted my own biases and the importance of challenging them. My time on the board has been transformative—humbling and inspiring in equal measure. I have been deeply moved by the resilience, creativity, and joy of the people Keshet serves. Their strength and determination have taught me more than I could have ever imagined.
This newfound understanding fueled my desire to contribute even more. I wanted to amplify the voices of the adults in our programs, ensuring they are heard and seen. This led me to volunteer in Keshet's adult day program, where I witnessed firsthand the incredible potential of our participants and the profound impact of providing them with the tools, support, and opportunities to thrive. Equally, I saw the impact they had in breaking down attitudinal barriers and changing mindsets-including my own.
One of the most rewarding experiences has been the creative writing class I started for the adults in our program. Initially, I had no experience to guide me and no idea if the participants would even be interested. My goal was simple: to create a space where participants could write stories and poems on any subject they chose as a group. My vision was to facilitate conversation, empowering them to make their own choices about what they wanted to write and say. Sometimes they were inspired by the season, a holiday, a trip, or even a silly idea. In the beginning, I had to guide and coax the process, but soon enough, many of them would come into class ready with their own ideas.
The only rule for the class was that the stories had to be in their voices. Staff could assist if I had trouble understanding what someone was saying, but they were not to speak for them. In the case of individuals using adaptive speech tools, staff could help with communication, but the words had to come from the participants in whatever way they could. Some stories were lighthearted, others more serious, but they were always the participants' own ideas and words. After a few months, we compiled their work into books.
Eventually, I was joined by my sister in co-leading the group, allowing us to volunteer together. About a year later, someone suggested starting a newspaper, which the group enthusiastically embraced. Together, they decided to include interviews with people they wanted to learn more about, as well as jokes, recipes, drawings, and stories about their activities. The most important aspect was that everything—from what we named the paper to the ideas, words, drawings, and even the order of the articles—was theirs. We’ve now completed our fourth volume, and the class has grown from six to thirteen participants. I’ve watched them work together, help each other, and function as a team. It has been amazing to witness and be a part of. Initially, they interviewed people from the staff they knew, but they have recently begun suggesting interviews with individuals outside the organization. They’ve interviewed our local federation’s marketing person, and have scheduled an interview with our state representative, and have even started researching the people they interview and specific topics of interest.
The newspaper has become more than just a creative outlet for the participants—it’s a space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and advocating for their ideas, knowing their opinions are respected and valued by their peers. The mutual respect and encouragement within the group have made it a true collaborative effort, where each participant contributes not just their ideas but also their support for one another.
Reflecting on my involvement with Keshet, I realize it has been as much about my own growth as it has been about advocacy and awareness. The individuals I have met and the stories I have heard have opened my eyes (yes, pun intended) to the richness and diversity of the human experience. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of a community that celebrates all abilities and for the privilege of helping to empower others to find their voices.
In many ways, my work with Keshet has come full circle. What began as an opportunity to serve an organization that shares my values and whose mission I believe in has evolved into personal growth and transformation.
Through my involvement with Keshet, I am reminded that we all have biases, but it is our responsibility to challenge them, seek opportunities to learn and grow, and ensure that we are creating spaces where everyone is seen, heard, and able to thrive.
While I may not be a literary genius, teacher, or behavior specialist, nor do I possess particular expertise in intellectual disabilities, I wanted to shine a light on the rich, beautiful lives our adults lead—where they are seen for their abilities, not their inabilities. I see the true friendships they have made, the genuine care they show for one another, the joy in their hearts, their wish to be seen and heard, and their deep desire to belong—a desire we all have in common. It is a privilege to be part of a community that honors these values and to share one volume of their Keshet Rainbow Review!
Michelle Friedman is the board chair of Keshet in Chicago, a member of Disability Lead, and has been a disability advocate for 40 years. She has written two children’s books and is the author of her blog and is a frequent speaker for elementary and high school-age students.