Shavvim
Who we are?
Founded in 2019, Shavvim ("Equal" in Hebrew) is an NGO working to advance the 1.5 million people with disabilities in Israel. The organization facilitates their successful integration into Israeli society through harnessing the power of the media.
Shavvim is both a voice FORand OF the disability community. The organization trains young adults with disabilities to work in journalism and mass media fields. In turn, Shavvim trained reporters produce quality, engaging media pieces focusing on the abilities and concerns of people with disabilities for distribution on the Shavvim website as well as in the mainstream media outlets.
What We Do
Shavvim’s mission is to train and empower young adults with disabilities in the journalism vocations in order to capture and disseminate their unique points of view, strengths and capabilities in diverse media outlets. Shavvim interns work as correspondents in their own right. They are responsible for most of Shavvim's content. From their first story, they are paid fair salaries for their work. Ultimately, as well-trained professionals, Shavvim will facilitate their entry positions into the mainstream media industry while continuing to guide their roads to success.
Why We Do It
Integration of people with disabilities into the media is crucial for the advancement of an inclusive society. People with disabilities comprise more than 10% of the general population. Moreover, the disability community is unique in that one can join anytime from birth onwards. Nonetheless, this community faces discrimination, stereotyping, poor accessibility (if any), as well as lack of effective and consistent advocacy vis-à-vis relevant governmental agencies.
Shavvim significantly increase visibility of people with disabilities and its program participants work as capable and productive professionals, thus inspiring their peers and, simultaneously, challenging public stigmas. Moreover, Shavvim enhances participants’ livelihood opportunities and enables their voices to be heard in the mainstream mass media, thereby significantly transforming the disability discourse in Israel.
Shavvim's founder: Idan Motola (47) is a senior correspondent with rich experience in large media outlets (i.e., "TheMarker," "Yediot Aharonot" and Channel 12 News). Idan’s 17-year-old son, Ohad was diagnosed with autism as a young child. Shavvim combines the two worlds dearest to Idan: people with disabilities and journalism.
Best regards,
Idan Motola,
CEO, Shavvim
