An Inclusive Community is a stronger community. Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families have needs that are universal to all families. Advancing this idea of disability inclusion requires the active involvement of those already involved as well as those outside the disability community.  This page was designed to provide the tools to raise awareness, advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, and advance inclusion. 

Only by engaging as a community can we develop the vision where we need to go next to become fully inclusive. Thank you for your support to help us maintain the most up-to-date guide to facilitate the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

Click below for programs and resources on your desired topic.

Table of Contents

• Articles, Blogs, and Other Resources

• Physical Accessibility

• Communication

• Worship and Rituals

• Volunteer and Employment

• Social, Recreational, and Leisure

• Education

• Legislation and Policy

• Global Partners

• Jewish Online Resources

• Additional Online Resources

Articles, Blogs, and Other Resources

Nothing for us without us; resources created by self-advocates and family members.

• Real Social Skills, a blog created by a Jewish autistic adult to share their own perspective

• How We’re Failing Jews with Disabilities by Ari Ne’eman

• Coming Out Of Hiding: Revealing A Mental Disability by Sharon Rosenblat

• I Don’t Want to Be ‘Inspiring,’ part of a weekly series of essays, art, and opinions by and about people living with disabilities, The New York Times Disability

• Praying for Today: Becoming disabled made me question everything I thought I knew about Judaism. Then it brought me back to religion in a way I’d never thought possible.

• Mara Clawson has Familial Dysautonomia (FD), a neurogenetic disorder affecting her autonomic nervous system. FD limited her ability to participate in her community until she discovered drawing. Check out Mara’s artwork on her website, YouTube Channel, and video, To Survive.

• Pamela Schuller’s Eli Talk – I am Here; Hear Me Bark: Comedy, Disability, and the Inclusive Synagogue

• Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer Eli Talk – Faith, Companionship, and Vulnerability: Standing With Families Who Have A Child With A Disability

• Sue Austin’s Ted talk, “Deep Sea Diving… in a Wheelchair” questions our perspective on our wheelchair use.

• My Daughter doesn’t have “Special” Needs. She is Disabled by Jamie Davis Smith

• Lauren Tuchman’s Eli Talk – We Were All at Sinai: The Transformative Power of Inclusive Torah

• Judy Heumann’s TEDx Talk,  Our Fight For Disability Rights and Why We’re Not Done Yet

• How to Help a Parent Whose Child is Suffering From Mental Illness

• Disability Sensitivity Training Video to help those not yet involved.

• Becoming Disabled: Roughly one in five American’s lives with a disability. So where is our pride movement?

Physical Accessibility

Making the physical space welcoming and inclusive for all.

• ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal

• Read about the importance of an adjustable Torah reading table and an example from Chabad.

• How architecture changes for the Deaf

• Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People With Disabilities

• The Ultimate Guide to Home Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

• Home Modifications for Special Needs Kids

• Design Guidelines for the Visual Environment from the National Institute of Building Science (Low Vision Design Program)

• ADA National Network, Information, Guidance, and Training on the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Create A Thriving Home for Disabled Children

• Planning Accessible Meetings and Events: A Toolkit created by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights

• How Assistive Listening Systems Enhance Worship for Everyone by AudioLinks

• The first page of this Self-Assessment Tool for Synagogues from MetroWest Able looks at architectural accessibility

• The first page of this Synagogue Inclusion Inventory from UJA Federation of New York looks at physical accessibility

• Home Renewed Resource Center is a local organization focused on making accommodations to homes accessible for those who want to remain in their homes as they age and for people with disabilities

Communication

Opening the line of communication to all. 

• Virtual Meetings Accessibility Checklist

• Encouraging accessible websites and other Accessibility Building Blocks to Remove Stumbling Blocks by Dana Marlowe, Accessibility Partners

• Add subtitle & Closed Captions and Audio Descriptions  for all audio/visual material

• Microsoft Accessibility and Apple Accessibility provide a variety of creative tools

• National Center on Disability and Journalism’s  Style Guide  included tips and terms to avoid when writing or talking about people living with disabilities

• RespectAbility Webinar about How to make Documents and Presentations Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities

• RespectAbility Webinar about Web Accessibility: Tips and Tricks

• Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities

• ADA Quick Tips – Sign Language Interpreters

• When Listening is Complicated; Skills for Honoring the Individual Perspectives of Every Person with Disabilities by Ruti Regan

• Guide for Communicating with People with Disabilities focusing on people-first language.

• Ideas to help the hearing community communicate with the Deaf community are on the Disabilities Inclusion Learning Center, and on the videos, Communicating with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People and 10 Tips for Communicating with Deaf/Hard of Hearing People

• Maryland Accessible Telecommunication Program provides telecommunication equipment to qualified applicants

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)- One Idea PerLine: A Guide to Making Easy Read Resources

• Ask Deaf and hard of hearing individuals what support will enhance communication depending on the individual and the situation:

  • Contact Lisa Handelman at Lisa.Handelman@shalomdc.org for a list of local ASL interpreters compiled with guidance from the Washington Society of Jewish Deaf

  • An explanation of CART  and The National Court Reporters Association’s list of CART operators

  • Maryland Relay, Virginia Relay to assist Individuals who have difficulty using a standard telephone

  • Induction hearing loops

  • The National Association of the Deaf  – Community, Culture, and Frequently Asked Questions

Worship and Rituals

We are all created in the image of God.

• Biblical Quotations

• RespectAbility – High Holiday Kit

• Making Synagogue a Place to Run To, Not From

• Training For B’nai Mitzvah Tutors: Essential for Inclusion

• Navigating Special Needs in a Congregational Setting: A Clergy Resource Guide – a guide created by the Jewish Social Service Agency

• The Hebrew song “Ani v’ata”, You and I (Will Change the World) presented with sign language interpretation

• Synagogue Inclusion Project’s Guide for Clergy – Created by RespectAbility

• Disability Inclusion: Resource Guide for Rabbis created by Yichad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities in conjunction with the Heneiunu initiative for an inclusive Jewish world

• Explore Prayers in Hebrew and American Sign Language by Rabbi Darby Leigh and Jewish Heritage and Holidays in ASL as an informative resource and as a way to encourage communication for all.

• Matan’s Dvar Torah Project  links the weekly Parsha to a disability inclusion topic

• Free High Holiday resources from Gateways

• The Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project in partnership with CJP provides several useful links to guide congregational inclusion

• Free Holiday Resources from Matan

• AAIDD Religion & Spirituality – working to foster opportunities for spiritual growth with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

• Collaborative on Faith and Disability Webinar Series provides a collection of webinars focused on disability, religion, and inclusive supports

• A Tu’Bishvat Seder written by Rabbi Alanna Sklover for Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month

• The second page of this Self-Assessment Tool for Synagogues from MetroWest Able looks at Synagogue Life: Attitudes, Practices, and Policies

• Parts 2 and 3 of this  Synagogue Inclusion Inventory  from UJA Federation of New looks practices, policies, awareness, and attitudes

• Keshet’s poster shows 7 Jewish values that create

Volunteer and Employment

Expanding opportunities for all is good for business.

• The Ability to Succeed: Employers look beyond disabilities, find dedicated, talented workers

• A few tricks for increasing accessibility in the workplace, Mixing in, accessibility: An employer’s crucial ingredient for success

• Partner with JFGH’s Sally and Robert Goldberg MOST (meaningful Opportunities for Successful Transitions) program; meet KC to learn more.

• Partner with the Jewish Social Service Agency’s Specialized Employment which provides employment services for individuals with special needs and for employers. Check out this video and article to learn more.

• Job Accommodation Network for questions about workplace accommodations.

• Project SEARCH – a one-year Transition Program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with programs at NIH, Smithsonian, and with local businesses

• National Down syndrome Society – Resources for Employers 

• RespectAbility – Employment Resources for People with Disabilities

• Employment First Technical Briefs for anyone working to implement Employment First and Disability Employment Frist Planning Tool created by RespectAbility

• SEEC – a nonprofit that provides a range of community supports including vocational and employment service

• Companies find hiring those on the spectrum has vast benefits

• Resources from the Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Department of Labor

• 12 Leadership Tips from a Disability Perspective

• Employees with disabilities can have a positive impact on profitability

• Employment Resources for Policy Makers from RespectAbility

• Inclusive Hiring Toolkit created by Transitions To Work: Creating Employment For All Abilities

• This video, created by the Arc of Northern Chesapeake Region, highlights the importance of having buy-in from the staff working side by side with individuals with disabilities.

• Imagine Israel Podcast, episode #3 shares how Avner Stepak is revolutionizing Israel’s corporate world to include individuals with disabilities.

• Listen to an interview on WPFW 89.9 (Business Matters, April 3, 2017) with Tom Liniak, JSSA’s Director of Specialized Employment Services, and Laura, a JSSA client working at CVS

• Resources from RespectAbility for Job Seekers with Disabilities

• Resources from RespectAbility for Employers Embracing Employees with Disabilities

• An Employee View of ADA

• An Employer View of ADA

• Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace and the ADA

• Rick Fiery talks about a business incubator model to Capturing Necessary Brilliance: Learning Differences Unleashed

• Road to Independence contact list – organizations in our local community that have valuable resources for young adults with disabilities.

• Small Business & Disability Employment: Steps to Success

• Research In Brief: Terms Related to Employment from the National Rehabilitation Information Center

• JobHero: Career Resources for Americans with Disabilities

• Resources for Business Owners with Disabilities

• A Guide for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners with Disabilities

Social, Recreational, and Leisure

Participation by the entire community.

• Inclusion Training Guide for Jewish Summer Camps: A project of Foundation for Jewish Camp, a project of Foundation for Jewish Camp provides suggestions for a variety of social programs

• The educational material from Gateway: Access to Jewish Education can also be used for social and recreational programming

• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals to help understand the role of support professionals

• Friendship Circle demonstrates ways to plan for inclusion

• ReelAbilities Film Festival can be used to create inclusive programming

• Gluten-Free Recipes from Jewish Food Experience

• Report on the impact of two national congregational programs on the social inclusion of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities

• Birthright Israel offers individuals with disabilities the choice to go on a variety of trip options.

• Guide to Attending a Sporting Event for Disabled, Special Needs & Senior Citizens

Education

Every Jewish student deserves a meaningful Jewish education.

• Matan offers training and a variety of resources

• Gateways: Access to Jewish Education includes downloadable resources

• Sulam is a local resource

• Ivymount Outreach Programs

• PJ Library and PJ Library Jewish Disability Month Material; for local programming, ideas contact Sarah Rabin Spira at Sarah.RabinSpira@ShalomDC.org

  • Program guide/lesson plan for the Mitten String created by PJ Library for JDAIM Reads 2016

• 13 Tips To Help Your Child With A Disability Succeed In Religious School

• Learning Differences: Pursuing Positive Supports

• Computer/Electronics  Accommodations Program

• Learning Ally provides a range of audiobooks for students to access

• Books to help teach kids to be inclusive and compassionate

• Disability in Kidlit provides information to help readers, librarians and educators find good portrayals of disability in YA/MG novels

• “Don’t Laugh at Me” song by Peter Yarrow

• Tips for parents of Jewish children with disabilities by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi

• 7 of the Best Apps for People with Disabilities from Goodnet

• College Guide for Students with Learning Disabilities

• Free online training for college students with disabilities to learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act

• “You Shall Not Place Stumbling Blocks” guide for summer camp counselor training

• The Jewish Braille Institute provides free Judaic reading material to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped or reading disabled.

• Matan Webinars – Matan Pledge: the intersection between ability, disability, and humanity. Mental Health in the Jewish Community. Israel Education.

• Bankshot sports provides examples of mixed sports playground courses based on universal design; basketball, tennis, and Tri-Sport.

• Accessible parks and playgrounds offer the opportunity to explore the concept of universal design; Clemyjotri in Virginia, Hadley’s Park in Maryland

• Education Resources on Disability Issues from RespectAbility

• Disability Resources for College Students from Learn How to Become

• Sexual Education Resources for People with Disabilities from RespectAbility

• Inclusion focused Eli Talks and resource guide created for JDAIM 2018

Legislation and Policy

Advocating for disability inclusion.

• RespectAbility – A nonprofit working to empower people with disabilities

• United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism blogs about inclusion

• Renewing the Commitment: An ADA Compliance Guide for Nonprofits

• The National Disability Institute provides information about the Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act

• Maryland Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program, a fact sheet

• Overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 

• RespectAbility provides state-by-state information on employing people with disabilities and information about legislation on the national level

• The RespectAbility Report – A nonpartisan political commentary on the 2016 elections with a focus on disability issues

• Virginia Disability Blog by Sheri R. Abrams

• New Title II and Title III ADA Regulations Take Effect October 2016

Global Partners

Global efforts to advance disability inclusion.

• Israel tech helps the deaf ‘hear’ and the blind ‘see

• Breaking Down Barrier for Israelis with Disabilities

• JDC-Israel expands project for the disabled

• “Special In Uniforms” provides a glimpse of how the Israeli Defense Forces include soldiers with Disabilities

• The Israeli-developed Rewalk helps those who are paralyzed walk.

• Nalaga’at Center  –  Theater, Blackout Restaurant, and more – is a meeting place for deaf, blind, deaf-blind, and the general public.

• Technology makes treks accessible and inclusive

• Jill and Amnon Damti “Two Worlds”: A Dance Performance  – blends the world of a deaf dancer and that of a hearing dancer

• JDC: Transforming the Lives of People with Disabilities Worldwide

• BIS Sindian Center in Kalansua: A special place for Arab-Israeli kids with disabilities

• Inclusive Israel: 3 Principles of Successful Inclusivity In Israel by The Israel Forever Foundation

Jewish Online Resources

• Disability Inclusion Learning Center by the URJ

• Inclusion Innovations: Turning good intentions into inclusive faith communities

• Jewish Abilities Alliance

• Jewish Camp Inclusion Resources

• Jewish Deaf Congress Facebook page

• Jewish Inclusion, RespectAbility

• Jewish Funders Network Guide to Jewish Values and Disabilities Rights provides a downloadable guide and a large print downloadable guide.

• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism – Disability Rights through a Reform Jewish perspective

• The Ruderman Family Foundation website includes the updated information about news and events and the blog Zeh Lezeh (For One Another), Slingshot, a resource for volunteers, activists, and donors looking for new opportunities and projects in the Jewish community, has a guide specifically dedicated to disabilities and inclusion

• The New Normal blog from The New York Jewish Week

• Addiction Prevention Resources provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

• Yad HaChazakah: The Jewish Disability Empowerment Center

• Removing the Stumbling Block – Bringing together Judaism, Disability Inclusion & Education

• USCJ – Disability Inclusion

• Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project in partnership with Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston

• Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Services for People with Disabilities Resources

• Greater MetroWest ABLE (A program of The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ)

• UJA Federation New York Synagogue Inclusion Project

• Jewish Deaf Resource Center

• Jewish Deaf Community Center

• Jewish Deaf Community Center

Additional Online Resources

• RespectAbility, a nonprofit working to empower people with disabilities

• The Ruderman Family Foundation website provides an overview to spark culture change.

• National Disability Institute (NDI)

• Brainline – focus on economic issues for individuals with disabilities – a national multimedia resource for preventing, treating and living with traumatic brain injury (TBI)

• NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness – Montgomery County Virginia

• Independence Now – the Center for Independent Living

• CHADD – The National Resource on ADHD

• Learning Disabilities Association of America

• Cerebral Palsy Guidance

• Institute on Disability/UCED

• Potomac Community Resources: Serving Teens and Adults with Developmental Differences 

• TLC – The Treatment and Learning Centers

• Madison House Autism Foundation

• Cerebral Palsy Group

• National Federation of The Blind

• Faith Inclusion Network (non-profit, grassroots organization located in South Hampton Roads, VA)

• United Spinal Association