You probably are aware that the month of February is Black History Month and the importance of learning about Black history and culture. The month of February is also Jewish Disability Awareness Acceptance and Inclusion Month, JDAIM, and it is equally important to learn about and advocate for the rights of people with Disabilities. The month serves to amplify and celebrate the communities. JDAIM highlights that the Jewish Disability community needs to not just be accepted and included in all Jewish life and practices, but that they belong and are an integral part of the community. This is not just for one month of the year, but year-round.
JDAIM grew out of the Jewish Special Education International Consortium’s effort to raise awareness and foster inclusion of Jewish people with Disabilities. The first Jewish Disability Awareness Acceptance and Inclusion Month was first celebrated during the month of February 2009. It was started to ensure that Jews with disabilities are valued and included in all aspects of Jewish life. The Disability community is the largest minority group and estimated to be about 15% of the world’s population. It is also a group that you may become a part of even if you were not born into it, as can be the case with Judaism. It is estimated that 1 in 4 adults in the United States will have a disability at some point during their life.
Judy Heumann, of blessed memory, an international leader in the Disability Rights Movement who fought for Jewish disability access and for the rights and dignity of all disabled people, wrote in her memoir Being Heumann, “I was who I was meant to be. If you were to acquire a disability tomorrow, it would be a change, but I can tell you this: it wouldn’t have to be a tragedy. We are all human. Why do we see disability differently from any other aspect of being human?”
One important aspect of Inclusion and Disability Services here at the Pozez JCC is to foster community. Our programs are a place where people of all ages both learn to make friends and come together to socialize with them. Often, the connections made here have turned into close-knit friendships. Throughout the month of February, our Bodzin Art Gallery is featuring, “Joyful Color” showcasing the bold artwork of Sophia Pineda, a talented artist who has Down Syndrome. Her works are very popular here at the J. If you have shopped at the Inclusion and Disability Services holiday sale over the years, you will recognize her art and bold style from her cards and small pieces that she sells every year at the sale.
In her book, “Demystifying Disability,” Emily Ladau talks about how to be an ally. She quotes podcaster Kyle Khachadurian who said, “Of course disabled people want to be treated like everyone else, but when we say that we don’t mean treat everyone the same. We mean recognize our humanity and meet us where we are at.”