Press Release
Global Competition for Innovation in Disability to be Launched
Ruderman Family Foundation to Provide Funding to Those with Innovative Concepts
NEW YORK (November 29, 2011) –Ruderman Family Foundation President Jay Ruderman today announced that the Foundation is creating the Ruderman Prize in Disability, which will support the pursuit of excellence and innovation in programs and services that foster full inclusion for people with disabilities. The global competition, which will provide a total of $200,000 to up to ten organizations that serve those in the Jewish community with disabilities, will be kicked off at ADVANCE 2011: The Ruderman Jewish Special Needs Conference, on December 6th at Baruch College Conference Center in New York City.
The conference, which brings together Jewish funders of disability services with the intent of creating a common dialogue and strategy, will feature an address by Academy Award-winning actress and activist Marlee Matlin, a champion of the rights of people with disabilities, as well as Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, and Isaac Herzog, a member of the Knesset.
“Dialogue and collaboration is extremely important to meeting our goal of full inclusion for people with disabilities,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Equally important, though, is putting funds directly in the hands of organizations that we believe have the most innovative and creative programs and letting them run with the ball. Some will succeed and some may fail, but standing still while our brothers and sisters with disabilities are shut out of opportunities is simply not an option.”
The application form for the awards will be available on the Foundation’s website starting on December 6th and will be due on March 15, 2012. Award winners will be announced in June.
The Ruderman Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting the challenged in society by focusing on individuals with disabilities in the Jewish community.