Keeping Disability in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Work

It’s been a minute.

It’s not that I haven’t thought about or focused on Jewish Disability inclusion; it’s just that I have not come here to this space to write about it.

No less important. In fact, maybe even more so.

Over the past few years there has been a significant emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. And yet, this inclusion frequently overlooks disability altogether.  

Disability is a core aspect of human diversity, and yet, too often, it is the forgotten stepchild, if you will, of efforts to make spaces more inclusive. We need to keep disability front & center in order to continue to push for equitable access, accommodations, and meaningful opportunities in education, workplaces, and society at large.

And yet, to me, it feels like a decade plus of exceptional work in Jewish disability inclusion specifically (and more generally) has taken steps backwards and it almost feels like we have to start over in some arenas.

For me, disability inclusion is seamlessly woven into the work I do each day in my synagogue community and in my religious school. But I know it is not that way for everyone, and therefore it needs to be named, lifted, and emphasized.

I hope that some of my posts help you to bring disability back into the work of diversity, equity and inclusion and center it more seamlessly in the fabric of your education programs and community.

Ten Steps to Make Your Congregation Inclusive

Teaching Diversity AND Inclusion

Designing a Sensory Break Path to Fit Your Space

Fair Isn’t Equal

Teaching the Difference Between Fairness and Equality

Ten Steps to Make Your Congregation Inclusive

Has your community undertaken significant work around diversity and inclusion? Hooray! I have noticed that at times it seems that disability has gotten lost in broader conversations where the focus is on racial equity and/or LGBTQ+. It can seem overwhelming for a community that has not previously made accommodations or sought to fully include individuals with disabilities to tackle this. 

From many years of coaching congregations my advice would be: Start small, but start somewhere. And while this may help to make the task seem somewhat less daunting, I suspect that for many, it begs the question, "How do I begin?"

Inclusion is a Funny Thing

updated 2022

Inclusion is a funny thing. When it is “done right”, it’s not something to talk about. It just is. Being inclusive means accepting all people for who they are regardless of their abilities or race or religion or gender or…or…or…. 

7 Hacks EVERY Teacher Can Use Right Now To Be More Inclusive

There’s lots of talk about ways to make schools and classrooms more inclusive of diverse learners with a broad range of abilities.

And while there are many teachers who “buy in,” recognizing the value of full inclusion, there is still a gap between desire and skill set. Many continue to shy away from making their classroom a space where learners of a range of abilities truly belong because they believe that they do not have the expertise needed, and often fear they might “do it wrong” or make too many mistakes.