As an award-winning Disability Inclusion Expert, I know that each of us has a
right to belong, connect, learn and have meaningful experiences with our respective faith communities.
I have been an inclusive Jewish Educator for over twenty years and this blog is where I share my thoughts and stories about the intersection of disability inclusion, education, and faith.
I have been an inclusive Jewish Educator for over twenty years and this blog is where I share my thoughts and stories about the intersection of disability inclusion, education, and faith.
I consult with schools, organizations, and camps to coach them in the development of inclusive practices for staff, clergy, and families
through interactive workshops, dialogue, and awareness training. I am a
sought-after speaker on a wide variety of topics for professionals, lay
leaders, parents, teachers, and teens.
My
writing has been regularly featured in such publications as The NY Jewish Week, Reform
Judaism.org, Kveller, and the Jewish Grandparents Network. In addition, I have worked with Behrman
House, The Jewish Grandparents Network, and other organizations to develop curriculum and techniques for working with students who
demonstrate a wide variety of learning needs.
I invite you to start with a few of this blog's most popular posts:
Teaching the Difference Between Fairness and Equality
Fair Isn't Equal
Ditch the Clips - Why You Need to Stop Using Behavior Charts in the Classroom RIGHT NOW
Making Sense of Behavior - Girls, Boys, Attention Deficits and Stereotypes
We Judge One Another
I'd also love to invite you to the series, The ABC's of Inclusion
Or, just dive in wherever you might like! When you like what you read, please share it with others. I hope you'll stop back often!
One more note: We are each on a journey to grow into our best selves, which hopefully means our most inclusive selves. Let's all be willing to leave room for that growth, whether it be in daily practice, our attitudes, or our language use. My own evolution has led me to language shifts (despite retaining this blog's URL):
Finally, while you are here, you might like to sign up for emails so you never miss a
post:
I invite you to start with a few of this blog's most popular posts:
Teaching the Difference Between Fairness and Equality
Fair Isn't Equal
Ditch the Clips - Why You Need to Stop Using Behavior Charts in the Classroom RIGHT NOW
Making Sense of Behavior - Girls, Boys, Attention Deficits and Stereotypes
We Judge One Another
I'd also love to invite you to the series, The ABC's of Inclusion
Or, just dive in wherever you might like! When you like what you read, please share it with others. I hope you'll stop back often!
One more note: We are each on a journey to grow into our best selves, which hopefully means our most inclusive selves. Let's all be willing to leave room for that growth, whether it be in daily practice, our attitudes, or our language use. My own evolution has led me to language shifts (despite retaining this blog's URL):
Contact me to learn more about presentations and consulting opportunities.
Please do not publish, curate, sell, post or distribute all or any part of this blog's content without express permission of the author. You are invited, however, to share links to posts on your webpage, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and other social networking sites.
If you are interested in republishing any Removing the Stumbling Block content on your own blog, in a newsletter or if you wish to use any content in another educational way, please contact me. I am also available to write unique content for your specific network.
My congregation will be presenting an interactive disabilities awareness program for our student. We are trying to let are kids feel what it like to have a handicap. Do you have and suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHello. There are lots of wonderful ways to help students to learn about and appreciate diversity as well as increase empathy. I have strong reservations about simulations. I believe that you can't really understand anyone's lived experience with a disability by "trying it on" for a short amount of time. You can read more here: http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/2014/02/jdamblogs-rethinking-disability.html and here: http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/2014/02/jdamblogs-rethinking-disability_22.html
DeleteAlternatives to consider: http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/2016/01/teach-diversity-using-oranges.html or http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/2019/02/using-m-to-teach-diversity-and.html
Finally, a dialogue between people with and without disabilities is a another great way to approach this. Do reach out to me directly if you'd like more information or to explore having me come to your community to lead such a session or dialogue.