Advocating for Disability Rights & Inclusion:
It Takes a Community

Kehillah. Community. It’s a core Jewish value, one that teaches we have a commitment to care for the health and welfare of each of our community members. It’s that commitment that fuels our Jewish communal organizations, institutions, social services and thousands of volunteers, all across the continent, who often work together across agencies, to advocate for and better the lives of children and adults with special needs and their families. Click here to read the full article published in the Jewish Journal highlighting two of our member agencies and their commitment to supporting people with disabilities.

Join us and nearly 200 partners, virtually, for Jewish Disability Advocacy Month, a month of programming that begins with a special event at 7:00 PM ET on February 3rd with renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. See below for special sessions highlighting NJHSA agencies. For more information and to register visit www.jewishtogether.org/jdam.
NJHSA Sessions
Mental Health and Isolation
Featured Partner: NJHSA 
Monday, 2/8 3pm EST

One of the most unfortunate by-products of the COVID pandemic has been the need for forced social isolation. Those who struggle with mental health challenges have been particularly impacted. Join us to hear about the cutting edge efforts of the Jewish human service sector to help people weather this crisis and learn communal strategies to reduce the stigma that often prevents those in need from seeking help.

Featuring The Blue Dove Foundation, Jewish Family Service Houston, and the Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County.
Ready, Willing and Able: Disability
in Israel
Wednesday, 2/10 12pm EST

How can the drive for disability inclusion in Israel inform our own strategy? This session showcases trail blazers leading the charge for societal change by launching innovative programs focused on empowerment and independence, and forging partnerships with policy makers. Hear from Odelia Fitoussi, the first Israeli representative to the United Nations Committee on Persons with Disabilities, and other leaders who have modeled practices that have been enacted into law and policy. Learn about the vital role North American Jewry plays in these ground-breaking efforts.
Mobilizing Canadians for Inclusion
Featured Partner: CIJA
Tuesday, February 16 3pm EST

CIJA will welcome the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. This interactive discussion will explore the state of disability inclusion in Canada, ways the government has sought to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on people living with disabilities and concrete steps officials can take to build inclusive communities. 
Smart Business:
The Case for Inclusive Hiring
Wednesday, February 17 12pm EST

People with disabilities want to be able to work, become taxpayers, and achieve the American dream just like anyone else. For employers and business owners, a diverse workforce inspires innovative thinking and is good business. Hear from corporate and nonprofit leaders about how employees with disabilities make organizations - whether large or small - stronger.