Nov 5, 2025

Federation Partner Beit Issie Shapiro’s Inclusive Education at FIU

Florida International University (FIU) has teamed with Federation partner Beit Issie Shapiro in a groundbreaking inclusive education initiative for adults with developmental disabilities. Now in its third academic year, FIU’s Embrace program has adopted the Art of Living course pioneered by Beit Issie Shapiro at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. The program guides students with intellectual and learning disabilities through a three-stage journey fostering personal growth, resilience and self-identity. As Beit Issie Shapiro prepares to extend its programming to other universities — based on its success at FIU — Executive Director Ahmir Lerner noted, “Our inclusive university not only equips student with academic knowledge but also nurtures their identity of capability, empowering them to pursue their aspirations with confidence.”