Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)

By Steven Mandel MD
VP of Community Outreach, NY Metro Region FJMC.

Not all disabilities look the same. In many cases it is not apparent.
This can include individuals with both physical and mental diseases. A person with an “Not apparent” or “invisible disability” may not want to reveal their symptoms, due to the lack of caring and compassion of other individuals. This can be someone with migraine, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression.

What does the word DISABLE mean to you? How can you use the word without a negative connotation? You would want to use the term “a person with a disability“ rather than “a disabled person”. Their impairments may relate to a specific function, and not to the whole person. Each of us and all of us has different abilities. It’s another way of doing things. An example is using the term “accessible parking and not handicap parking. We need to be aware of micro-aggressions. I once heard someone say to someone in a wheelchair “you shouldn’t be having children”.

Someone once told me when I asked how a person could enter a sanctuary when there were many steps”. The response was “they just won’t come any more”.

We need to advocate for Disability Rights, not only in the public sphere but also in our community, temples, schools.

The Americans With Disability Act states “the equal access of people with disabilities to employment opportunities and to public education “and“ prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability”.

Disability Intersectionality – different forms of inequity eg., race, gender class, compound the oppression of people with disabilities.

Why should we be concerned about disability? What is the value of JDAAIM for one month and to extend to the entire year?

Don’t make assumptions. Ask the person what they feel comfortable with when engaging in an activity. Example – one of my medical school colleagues is blind. Don’t tell people what you think about their functions, ask them.

The bottom line is to treat each individual with respect and dignity. Rethink accommodations and get input from everyone.

Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), was established in 2009 to promote efforts to promote awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities in Jewish Communities world wide.

The letter A, Acceptance is recognizing and embracing people who they are without judgement or bias. Beyond tolerance, it affirms the inherent worth of every individual.  The challenges include social barriers, stigma, and lack of representation. We call upon our clubs, synagogues and communities to support equitable policies, education and advocacy.

Please also read Dr. Mandel’s November 29, 2024 JDAIM article and learn more on what you can do.