Community building has to include a sense of belonging – that is, an awareness of being grounded in space, place and base. Without this awareness, no matter how inspired the vision of universal justice and equity may be, people end up floating yet another package of solutions – only to find that no one solution in whatever attractive packaging can ever fit all situations. Grasping after fix-it solutions will not work: the many different, changing realities of space, place and base simply rearrange themselves out of the neat patterns we try to devise[1].
For many Jewish people, connection to and participation within the larger community (schools, synagogue, and community events) is part of ones’ identity. Exclusion from larger society has been part of the past and continued experience of so many individuals. For People with disabilities who are Jewish, isolation from culture and community is just one more barrier to attaining a full and meaningful life. You may have experience or heard about a private club opening its membership policy to include Jewish members; however, policy change does not immediately wipe away discrimination. It takes concerted effort on the part of all members to make a welcoming environment. It is the same with persons with disabilities. Building a ramp or offering sign language translation does not mean that a space is welcoming and inclusive. For a place to be welcoming to a person with disabilities, attitudes, language, and behaviour must change with the same diligence that spaces are adjusted and rebuilt to accommodate.
What does inclusion mean to you? Does it mean that there is a ramp to your entrance? That your synagogues and businesses have automatic door openers? That lights switches and door handles are easily accessible in your school, synagogue, home? Does your space or event feel haymish? Or do you understand inclusion to mean more—that is, not just creating a physically accessible space. Developing a welcoming environment where people with many different disabilities feel included may include allowing adaptations to allow participation and interaction. It is essential to understand that disability is a complex term, with historical and personal meaning, encompassing many visible and invisible, physical, mental, and behavioral conditions and challenges.
Architectural, communication, and attitudinal barriers can exclude people with disabilities from participating in your community events. Examine these areas and see where changes can be made. According to Shelly Christensen, Program Manager at the Minneapolis Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities, “Inclusion is the opportunity for every person, regardless of ability, to participate in meaningful ways in the life of the Jewish community”.
When examining a space for accessibility, be aware that not all disabilities are visible. It is imperative to be aware of the diversity in the disability community. Lisa, who works in the JFSA office, recently shared an anecdote with me: She was asked by an acquaintance why she did not look Jewish. Lisa has lighter hair and blue eyes, and apparently lacks some facial features socially assumed to be “Jewish”. After an ironic comment to her acquaintance, Lisa was left wondering: What does looking Jewish mean? Why brown hair, brown eyes, and long nose? Rightly, she was offended by this query. Persons with invisible disabilities have similar experiences as Lisa did on a daily basis. A person with a learning difficulty/disability is not obviously marked, yet s/he might struggle when handed a long document to read, or when asked to fill out a form. Similarly, there are many individuals who have mobility challenges but do not use mobility devices such as walkers, canes or wheelchairs; be aware and flexible, not everyone can walk up a flight of stairs, carry an object, lift and move chairs, or stand/sit for extended periods of time. Someone who has an immune disorder such as allergies, asthma, or anaphylaxis may not obviously appear to experience challenges, but living in a world with perfume, cigarette smoke, and hostile foods can feel like walking through a minefield.
Being aware of how your space accommodates is also crucial to accessibility—are aisles clear and easily navigated by persons who are blind, or who use mobility devices? Do you offer and know how to access Sign Language interpretation services (for example, in BC in can take 2 weeks or longer to book an ASL interpreter)? Does your organization have a fund set aside to pay for accommodation services? When you send out newsletters do you state how your space is accessible and who an individual can contact to access these accommodations? Is your website accessible to persons with disabilities? Do you have a TTY phone? These are just a few of the questions you can ask yourself and your organization. If you do not know how to accommodate an individual, ask them; or ask an organization that works with persons with disabilities and the community.
Breaking down barriers by addressing Myths about the lives of Persons with Disabilities
As far as disability is concerned, if it is seen as a tragedy, then disabled people will be treated as if they are the victims of some tragic happening or circumstance. This treatment will occur not just in everday interactions but will also be translated into social policies which will attempt to compensate these victims for the tragedies that have befallen them[2].
Persons who live with disability do not live either tragic or heroic lives. For the most part they are everyday children, adults and elders in your community. Outwardly, their disability may be obvious or hidden. There are many myths about persons with disabilities. Honestly addressing these myths and replacing them with facts will help to make your events and spaces accessible and welcoming. I have adapted the following list of myths and facts from several online sources (please see footnotes for these websites):
Myth: A person’s disability defines who they are as an individual.
Fact: People often label individuals with a disability according to their condition or limitations. It is common in our daily lives to hear references such as “the disabled” or “the epileptic.” Individuals with disabilities are people first.
Myth: People with disabilities cannot lead a full and productive life.
Fact: People with disabilities are capable of fully participating in community life. The challenge is to focus on a person’s ability, not their limitations.
Myth: People with disabilities are brave and courageous.
Fact: Adjusting to a disability requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage.
Fact: Adjusting to a disability requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage.
Myth: All persons who use wheelchairs are chronically ill or sickly.
Fact: The association between wheelchair use and illness may have evolved through hospitals using wheelchairs to transport sick people. A person may use a wheelchair for a variety of reasons, none of which may have anything to do with lingering illness.
Fact: The association between wheelchair use and illness may have evolved through hospitals using wheelchairs to transport sick people. A person may use a wheelchair for a variety of reasons, none of which may have anything to do with lingering illness.
Myth: Wheelchair use is confining; people who use wheelchairs are "wheelchair-bound."
Fact: A wheelchair, like a bicycle or an automobile, is a personal assistive device that enables someone to get around.
Fact: A wheelchair, like a bicycle or an automobile, is a personal assistive device that enables someone to get around.
Myth: All persons with hearing disabilities can read lips.
act: Lip-reading skills vary among people who use them and are never entirely reliable.
act: Lip-reading skills vary among people who use them and are never entirely reliable.
Myth: People who are blind acquire a "sixth sense."
Fact: Although most people who are blind develop their remaining senses more fully, they do not have a "sixth sense."
Fact: Although most people who are blind develop their remaining senses more fully, they do not have a "sixth sense."
Myth: People with disabilities are more comfortable with "their own kind."
Fact: In the past, grouping people with disabilities in separate schools and institutions reinforced this misconception. Today, many people with disabilities take advantage of new opportunities to join mainstream society.
Fact: In the past, grouping people with disabilities in separate schools and institutions reinforced this misconception. Today, many people with disabilities take advantage of new opportunities to join mainstream society.
Myth: The lives of people with disabilities are totally different than the lives of people without disabilities.
Fact: People with disabilities go to school, get married, work, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, vote, plan and dream like everyone else.
Fact: People with disabilities go to school, get married, work, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, vote, plan and dream like everyone else.
Myth: Most people with disabilities cannot have sexual relationships.
Fact: Anyone can have a sexual relationship by adapting the sexual activity. People with disabilities can have children naturally or through adoption. People with disabilities, like other people, are sexual beings. [3]
Inclusive Spaces
Fact: Anyone can have a sexual relationship by adapting the sexual activity. People with disabilities can have children naturally or through adoption. People with disabilities, like other people, are sexual beings. [3]
Inclusive Spaces
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. --Winston Churchill
Creating a space that is welcoming to a diverse population is not easy at first. It begins by becoming aware of what individuals need. Making your space accessible can start with asking if accommodations or adaptations are needed (in newsletters, registration forms, and websites). Ask—is there any way we can make this space accessible and inclusive for you? And be open to comments, criticisms, ideas, and diversity. This might mean installing a ramp, or ensuring that light switches, door openers, and mezuzot are at appropriate levels for people who use wheelchairs or who are small. Members may require sign language interpretation or large print formats for handouts. Ensure that your websites, newsletters, and buildings are accessible. Become familiar with People First Language. The kind of society one lives in has a profound effect on the individual. By creating a sense of community and acceptance for difference, and by examining your understanding of accommodation and inclusion, you can create a space that is welcoming.
For More Information on How your Organization can become more Inclusive, Contact:
Jewelles Smith, MA is Special Needs Coordinator at Jewish Family Services. She can reached Mondays and Wednesdays at 604.257.5151 ext. 223 or via email at jsmith@jfsa.ca
Footnotes: [1](Kelly, Anthony & Sewell, Sandra. With head, heart and hand: dimensions of community building, 1988, 42-54, Brisbane, Queensland: Boolarong.: 51-52)
[2]http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies/archiveuk/Oliver/p%20of%20d%20Oliver1.pdf
[3]http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_myths_facts www.togetherwerock.com/pdfs/Draper_MythsMisc_Nov1.pdf
[3]http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_myths_facts www.togetherwerock.com/pdfs/Draper_MythsMisc_Nov1.pdf
