Michelle thank you for writing this. For those of us working throughout the year for inclusion and belonging it seems obvious that of course being inclusive during February is not the point of JDAIM, but I still run into many congregants and educators who aren’t even thinking about accommodations…let alone belonging. May your words reach the ears that need to hear them!
I wholeheartedly agree with Michelle Friedman when she declares:
“let's focus on implementing educational programs that provide authentic insights into the daily lives of those living with disabilities.” Luckily, the idea is catching on, thanks in great part to JDIN itself.
We’ve got a long way to go.
Communications barriers keep perhaps one out of seventeen Jews from even being aware of Michelle’s ideas. Some of us are print disabled. Others have language processing issues, are nonverbal, have intelligence that is not typical and/or have issues when they want to express themselves to others or receive information from others.
Here is an array of suggestions.
-1. Rally as much financial and logistical support as possible to removing communications and attitudinal barriers that (albeit unintentionally) perpetuate the segregation of many Jews with disabilities, even though “on paper” we champion their cause.
-2. Keep track of technological and medical breakthroughs which open new gateways to participation. This is practically a full-time pursuit. A person with a severe speech impediment can express herself through an avatar. Without human assistance, the avatar will transform her utterances into understandable speech.
An avatar can serve as a sign language interpreter. Thus, no actual human interpreter need be hired for lectures, events and other programs.
-C. Telephony can help many Jews with disabilities access online material.
Michelle thank you for writing this. For those of us working throughout the year for inclusion and belonging it seems obvious that of course being inclusive during February is not the point of JDAIM, but I still run into many congregants and educators who aren’t even thinking about accommodations…let alone belonging. May your words reach the ears that need to hear them!
From Rabbi Michael Levy:
I wholeheartedly agree with Michelle Friedman when she declares:
“let's focus on implementing educational programs that provide authentic insights into the daily lives of those living with disabilities.” Luckily, the idea is catching on, thanks in great part to JDIN itself.
We’ve got a long way to go.
Communications barriers keep perhaps one out of seventeen Jews from even being aware of Michelle’s ideas. Some of us are print disabled. Others have language processing issues, are nonverbal, have intelligence that is not typical and/or have issues when they want to express themselves to others or receive information from others.
Here is an array of suggestions.
-1. Rally as much financial and logistical support as possible to removing communications and attitudinal barriers that (albeit unintentionally) perpetuate the segregation of many Jews with disabilities, even though “on paper” we champion their cause.
-2. Keep track of technological and medical breakthroughs which open new gateways to participation. This is practically a full-time pursuit. A person with a severe speech impediment can express herself through an avatar. Without human assistance, the avatar will transform her utterances into understandable speech.
An avatar can serve as a sign language interpreter. Thus, no actual human interpreter need be hired for lectures, events and other programs.
-C. Telephony can help many Jews with disabilities access online material.
For more information regarding A.-C.,Contact me at MLevy@verse-onality.com
By the Numbers
I dream that these ideas will begin bearing fruit on March 1, 2024, the day after Jewish Disability Inclusion and Awareness Month ends.
MLevy@verse-onality.com for more information about these avatars I have