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Accessibility & Inclusion

We are a community that values and celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

Boy running into the water at Camp Grossman.

Everyone Is Welcome

At JCC Greater Boston, belonging is at the center of everything we do. 
Belonging is more than simply being present. It means being seen, valued, respected, and meaningfully contribute. It’s the feeling of being at home in our JCC, in our programs, and in our broader community. 

We believe belonging is only possible when inclusion is at the heart of our culture. Inclusion means making sure that every person—of all abilities, backgrounds, and identities—can participate, engage, and thrive. It is not a single program or service; rather, it is the way we live out our values together.

This is an ongoing journey. We are committed to listening, learning, and growing as a community so that everyone can truly belong at the JCC. 

Accessibility

All JCC Greater Boston programs are open to everyone, and we strive to provide reasonable accommodations for all programs. If you or your loved one requires accommodations or support services to participate in a JCC Greater Boston event, class, or program, or if you have any concerns or questions, please contact inclusion@jccgb.org. Some accommodations require time to arrange. Please contact us with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice.

To ensure that everyone can fully utilize our facilities, we offer a range of accessibility features and accommodations at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, such as:

  • Elevator access to all levels across the campus.
  • Wheelchair accessible private changing rooms.
  • Spacious, renovated fitness center, with a lift between levels.
  • Pool chair lift indoors & outdoors.
  • Outdoor pool with a zero-entry design.

We have multiple gender-inclusive bathrooms and changing rooms throughout our facilities, as well as an ADA-compliant gender-inclusive bathroom.

Inclusion at JCamps

Every camper deserves a summer where they belong. Across our camps, children of all abilities are welcomed and supported so they can join in fully, make friends, and grow.

At Camp Grossman, campers entering 1st grade or older can join our 3:1 Supported program, a specialized bunk with a 3:1 camper-to-counselor ratio for kids who need extra support, alongside full integration into regular programming for those with mild to moderate disabilities. Three Camper Support Advocates are also available across all bunks for behavioral, emotional, and social health needs.

At JCamps Newton, inclusion is built into every bunk. Campers with accommodations join all activities with their peers, sometimes with help from an Advocate Counselor. Our Inclusion Coordinator works with families and staff to design a plan that fits each child, which might include intake meetings, regular check-ins, visual schedules, sensory breaks, or extra staff support.

Questions? We're happy to talk it through.

Adaptive & Inclusive Programs

Our goal is to provide an inclusive environment for all members of our community to learn, grow, and engage with their peers. We design our programs with accessibility and diversity in mind and we are striving to ensuring that everyone has access to the same high-quality experiences.

We also offer specialized, adaptive classes, events, and programs, including recreational activities, educational programs, and social events.

  • We're here to help! Want to participate in an inclusive or adaptive program but don't know where to start? Let us know which programs you're interested in, whether you have any questions, and we'll be in touch to discuss next steps.

The following programs are adaptive; created to meet the needs of specific communities:

Adaptive Swim

Our dedicated and diverse team of swim instructors has worked with swimmers of all ages and disabilities, creating personalized lessons for everyone who dives into our pool. All instructors are trained in the Swim Angelfish® methodology with borrowed elements from our Lenny Krazelburg Swim Academy program, meeting students where they’re at and helping them develop their swimming abilities in a comfortable setting.

Adaptive Swim Page

 

Sensory Swim Hour

Saturdays | 3–4pm

We are excited to offer Sensory Swim Accommodations for individuals and their families who register for our Saturday Sensory Swim Hour! This specialized program in partnership with Autism Welcoming creates a comfortable and supportive environment, allowing participants to enjoy a relaxing swim experience at our indoor pool tailored to their unique sensory needs at no cost to you.

Sensory Swim Page
JCC Greater Boston's indoor pool.

Upcoming Events

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Meet the Team

headshot of Ellysheva Bunge-Zeira.

Ellysheva Bunge-Zeira

Inclusion Director

Ellysheva Bunge-Zeira joined JCC Greater Boston as the Director of Inclusion in 2026. Prior to joining the JCC she was the Director of Training & Consulting at Disability Policy Consortium. She is a seasoned accessibility and inclusion professional with over a decade of experience in developing inclusive practice, training, program design, and providing accommodation supports. She often calls herself an accessibility evangelist and is passionate about the ongoing work of making organizations holistically accessible and inclusive. Ellysheva is a member of the disability community and lives in Medford with her husband and son.

Get In Touch

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459
617.558.6557
inclusion@jccgb.org

Youth & Family Girl in a crowd at Camp Grossman.

Camp Grossman
Grades K–10
June 29–August 21
9th Week Program: August 24–28
Transportation from 30+ Towns

JCC Greater Boston's traditional outdoor day camp in Dover for kids entering Kindergarten to 10th grade, featuring...

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