Perspective on Jewish Disability Inclusion and Awareness from a Disability Activist
In the 1950’s, if the conversation even touched on disability, the adults, often with a strong dose of pity, would wonder “What can we do?” Whatever they did was local, with no concept that the effort could be global. Some of us were overprotected, hidden or even institutionalized “for our own good.”
Now an array of organizations, within and beyond Judaism, tapping global resources, with media coverage, devote an entire month to disability issues. My own parents would have been amazed in what progress has been made in less than half a century.
That said, there are issues of concern.
About Us, not Without Us
Blacks, women and nonbinary groups lead their own awareness campaigns. Why is the Jewish disability awareness led by those who do not have disabilities?
Why is so much material about disability in inaccessible format, to the point where many Jews with disabilities, who don’t have or can’t use computers, are not even aware of our month? Are nonverbal individuals, and people not of typical intelligence involved? What about people with metabolic or chronic health conditions?
And now, to our great sorrow, we have among us those Israeli soldiers and civilians with long-term physical and psychological injuries as a result of the unspeakably brutal attacks by Hamas. ?
True--synagogues, schools, Jewish agencies, national organizations, and even international groups recognize JDAIM with services, programs, guest speakers, resource fairs, and so much more. Yet, none of these entities approached those of us with disabilities about our input, and there is no mandatory organizational accountability for seeking our direct input on an ongoing basis at all organizational levels. How many of the entities mentioned above seek to recruit us as staff and volunteers—not because we have disabilities, but because we are people with talent who can make valuable contributions? Have these entities evaluated themselves to determine whether any architectural, communications, transportation and attitudinal barriers exist with regard to THEM, which segregate us? When planning ALL THEIR activities and programs, do these entities factor in disability-related issues on an ongoing basis? Do they keep in mind that disability will increase with age among their presently able-bodied ranks? Do they keep track of technology, techniques, AI, innovations and health advances that can accelerate our integration, including telephony?
My wish
Let us laud the progress we have made, only until February 29, 2024 when the month ends.
Planning for next year’s month must begin On March 1. Yad Hachazakah, and many disability activists would welcome the opportunity to spearhead the preparations for “our month” in February 2025.
This will entail more than lip service. Accommodations and accessibility arrangements often require the allocation of financial and human resources to make them feasible.
Personally, I look forward to contributing to next year’s program guide, and to receiving it in hard-copy braille so that I can read it aloud as part of presentations wherever I am invited.
Michael Levy, President
Yad Hachazakah, the Jewish Disability Empowerment Center
From Rabbi Michael Levy:
Perspective on Jewish Disability Inclusion and Awareness from a Disability Activist
In the 1950’s, if the conversation even touched on disability, the adults, often with a strong dose of pity, would wonder “What can we do?” Whatever they did was local, with no concept that the effort could be global. Some of us were overprotected, hidden or even institutionalized “for our own good.”
Now an array of organizations, within and beyond Judaism, tapping global resources, with media coverage, devote an entire month to disability issues. My own parents would have been amazed in what progress has been made in less than half a century.
That said, there are issues of concern.
About Us, not Without Us
Blacks, women and nonbinary groups lead their own awareness campaigns. Why is the Jewish disability awareness led by those who do not have disabilities?
Why is so much material about disability in inaccessible format, to the point where many Jews with disabilities, who don’t have or can’t use computers, are not even aware of our month? Are nonverbal individuals, and people not of typical intelligence involved? What about people with metabolic or chronic health conditions?
And now, to our great sorrow, we have among us those Israeli soldiers and civilians with long-term physical and psychological injuries as a result of the unspeakably brutal attacks by Hamas. ?
True--synagogues, schools, Jewish agencies, national organizations, and even international groups recognize JDAIM with services, programs, guest speakers, resource fairs, and so much more. Yet, none of these entities approached those of us with disabilities about our input, and there is no mandatory organizational accountability for seeking our direct input on an ongoing basis at all organizational levels. How many of the entities mentioned above seek to recruit us as staff and volunteers—not because we have disabilities, but because we are people with talent who can make valuable contributions? Have these entities evaluated themselves to determine whether any architectural, communications, transportation and attitudinal barriers exist with regard to THEM, which segregate us? When planning ALL THEIR activities and programs, do these entities factor in disability-related issues on an ongoing basis? Do they keep in mind that disability will increase with age among their presently able-bodied ranks? Do they keep track of technology, techniques, AI, innovations and health advances that can accelerate our integration, including telephony?
My wish
Let us laud the progress we have made, only until February 29, 2024 when the month ends.
Planning for next year’s month must begin On March 1. Yad Hachazakah, and many disability activists would welcome the opportunity to spearhead the preparations for “our month” in February 2025.
This will entail more than lip service. Accommodations and accessibility arrangements often require the allocation of financial and human resources to make them feasible.
Personally, I look forward to contributing to next year’s program guide, and to receiving it in hard-copy braille so that I can read it aloud as part of presentations wherever I am invited.
Michael Levy, President
Yad Hachazakah, the Jewish Disability Empowerment Center
www.yadempowers.com