Residents at Jewish Home at Rockleigh observed Jewish Disability Advocacy Day in early February. The day is sponsored by the Jewish Disability Network, a network of national Jewish organizations engaging in advocacy on disability issues, co-chaired by the Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. In addition, February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month. It is sponsored by JFNA and a consortium of Jewish Special Educators to recognize and increase the awareness of the needs, strength, opportunities and challenges of people with disabilities in Jewish communities throughout North America, notes JFNA.
At JHR, the day was observed by a discussion group on the subject, led by resident George Hantgan, with 13 other residents in attendance. He discussed traditions and laws dealing with the disabled in various countries. For instance, he noted that China has a constitution that states that disabled seniors have rights equal to everyone else. But there is also a labor right and everyone has ability to do something, so the disabled are expected to do whatever they are capable of doing. As a result, everyone benefits from the combined effort, he said.
While the U.S. seems to have many laws protecting the disabled, this country is 51st in the world in giving help to this part of the population, said Hantgan. In Sweden, where there are 1.5 million disabled, a large portion of the population, he said, there are very good laws for working with the disabled. In that country some efforts include removing steps for accessibility; installing special elevators, and special housing for the disabled. In Stockholm, there are even traffic lights that give off a special sound to indicate to the blind that the light is green and that they can cross.
In Israel, where 17.9% of the population, or nearly 700,000, are disabled, care for this group comes from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the Israeli government, and a family foundation that develops ways to help the disabled. Hantgan pointed to one kibbutz in the Galilee region where disabled children and their families live. There are 140 residents plus staff; the disabled can work on the kibbutz or in surrounding communities. All services are free on the kibbutz for Israeli citizens.
In the U.S., the state with the best laws for the disabled is Tennessee, he explained. In large cities there are many different organizations to help the disabled. In Jewish organizations, much of the help for this group of citizens comes from volunteers. He pointed to the many volunteers who come to the Jewish Home at Rockleigh and Jewish Home Assisted Living to engage residents with special programs. After Hantgan’s remarks, the discussion was opened to the attendees who discussed some of their concerns.
