Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month

EXCERPTS from JNF.ORG

• People with disabilities make up the world’s largest minority group. Globally, around 10% of the world’s population lives with a disability of some kind. Twenty percent of people in the U.S. have some disability and 1 in 10 suffer from a severe disability. Over 10% of people in Israel have some form of disability that can make life’s daily activities a struggle. These statistics are just the beginning. Take into account the family, friends, and loved ones of those with disabilities who are also affected and these numbers skyrocket. This is where JNF and the importance of JDAIM come in. 

• Throughout the month of February, JNF is hosting numerous events across the country to highlight JDAIM, featuring representatives from the organization’s partners to raise awareness of and foster inclusion for people with disabilities and special needs. 

• Through a variety of initiatives, JNF provides cutting-edge rehabilitative services, special education, and medical care for people with cognitive, sensory, communicative, developmental, and other disabilities. 

• JNF makes its forests, parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, nature trails, lookouts and recreational facilities inclusive for all visitors, ensuring that everyone regardless of their ability level is able to enjoy nature with their friends and family. 

https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/jewish-disabilites-awareness-acceptance-and-inclusion-month

Take Part In JDAAIM

How can you raise awareness about inclusion of people with disabilities in your community? Here are some ideas that JNF recommends to boost awareness and make your community a leader in supporting inclusion:

• Share the JNF D’Var Torah portion in connection Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM).

• Invite a speaker from Jewish National Fund or another community organization to lead a parent education group.

• Host an ‘Inclusion Day,’ a ‘Shabbos of Inclusion’ or a Havdalah service with activities.

• Advertise the event to your entire community and encourage people with disabilities and their families to attend. Include people with disabilities in planning for ‘Inclusion Day’ or ‘Shabbos of Inclusion’—nothing about us without us!

• Invite a person with a disability to speak to your community on any topic BUT that person’s disability.

• Invite people with disabilities to participate in the preparation for Kiddush and meal functions.

• Promote Inclusion. Use # JDAAIM19 and #PoweredbyJNF to share on Twitter and Facebook!

• Extend personal invitations to people who may be on the margins of the community.

• Integrate Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month into other activities:

• Lunch and Learn following Shabbos morning services or on Sunday afternoon to bring people together and talk about what they have learned and experienced from JDAAIM.

• Be responsive to concerns expressed by people with disabilities and their families. Is there something that would be appropriate to address with programming during the month?

Throughout February, JNF’s website, blog, and social media channels will call attention to Jewish Disabilities Awareness & Inclusion Month. Follow along using the hashtag #JDAIM19. To learn more about our work in Israel, please visit jnf.org/disabilities.