Self-Advocacy for Women & Teens with Disabilities

At Chimes Israel, we believe that every young person deserves the knowledge, confidence, and skills to protect themselves, build healthy relationships, and speak up for their needs. Through our Self-Advocacy & Empowerment Program for Youth with Disabilities, adolescents and young adults in our afterschool programs learn practical tools for personal safety, healthy boundaries, self-expression, and respectful relationships.

Thanks to donor generosity, youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our afterschool program in Holon participated in a structured series of interactive workshops that helped them better understand body autonomy, emotions, privacy, consent, friendships, online safety, and how to seek help when something feels wrong.

Learning Through Real-Life Practice

The program, developed in partnership with Machon Argaman, Israel’s leading institute specializing in empowerment, healthy relationships, and personal safety education for people with disabilities, uses practical, developmentally appropriate methods including discussion, roleplay, repetition, and real-life examples. Staff members also received specialized training so they could reinforce these lessons every day, far beyond the classroom.The impact has been meaningful.

A Young Woman Learns to Respect Boundaries

One young woman, Sarit, attended the program at our Amal afterschool center in Holon. Sarit is warm, affectionate, and naturally eager to connect with others. In the past, she often expressed affection impulsively by hugging or kissing peers and staff without asking permission or recognizing when others felt uncomfortable.

During the workshops, Sarit learned simple but powerful phrases such as, “May I give you a hug?” and “This is my private body.” She began practicing how to ask permission, recognize discomfort in others, and understand that everyone has a right to personal boundaries, including herself.

Staff quickly noticed important changes. When peers expressed discomfort, Sarit no longer reacted with frustration or hurt feelings. Instead, she listened, respected their wishes, and adjusted her behavior. At home, her parents reported that she increasingly asked permission before initiating physical contact and demonstrated greater awareness of other people’s comfort levels.

Most importantly, Sarit learned something transformative: her boundaries matter too. She gained confidence to say no, speak up when something makes her uncomfortable, and advocate for herself.

Changing the Group Culture

The workshops also helped shift the culture of the afterschool program itself. Young people began speaking more openly about personal space, consent, feelings, and respectful relationships. Participants learned that setting boundaries is not something to feel ashamed of. It is a skill everyone deserves to develop.

Looking Ahead to 2027

With donor generosity, this important program can continue in 2027, ensuring that more youth with disabilities gain the confidence, language, and practical skills they need to stay safe, build healthy relationships, advocate for themselves, and move through adolescence with greater dignity and independence.

Thank you for helping young people with disabilities find their voice, understand their worth, and strengthen their ability to protect themselves and thrive.