February 2012 is the fourth annual Jewish Disability Awareness Month, presenting congregations with an opportunity to become truly welcoming. Together we can use this month to break down physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers, educate our communities on what accessibility and inclusion really mean, and reach out to Jews with disabilities. All of the resources on the RAC's Disability Issues Page can help your congregation recognize Jewish Disability Awareness Month. In addition, please consult Jewish Federation of North America's resource guide and take action now to promote employment of people with disabilities by signing the Statement of Solidarity.
Please also visit theUnion for Reform Judaism's Disabilities pagefor resources on celebrating an Inclusion Shabbat, making Jewish life cycle events accessible and other congregational program ideas.
Jewish tradition teaches us of our obligation to ensure equal access for all people and to help facilitate the full participation of individuals with disabilities in religious and public life.
The Union for Reform Judaism and its affiliates have passed policy resolutions expanding on our commitment to ensuring and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
As part of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC), the URJ is encouraging all of its congregations and affiliates to sign on to this statement. Please identify yourself as a URJ congregation when completing the sign-on form.
More than 50 million Americans live with some form of disability, making Americans with disabilities one of the largest yet least protected and most underrepresented minorities in America today.
For More Information
To learn more, contact RAC Legislative Assistant Ian Hainline, or visit the following websites:
Blog Posts on Disability Issues
