Thursday, February 2, 2017

Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month 

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month  (JDAIM), and there are some terrific events planned to mark the occasion.

North American Jewish communities have been celebrating JDAIM since 2009, embracing the opportunity to celebrate their commitment to removing barriers. It's purpose is to unite Jewish communities worldwide to raise awareness and champion the rights of all to be included and to participate in all aspects of life like anyone else.

JDAIM has a Facebook page where you can see what's going on across North America. But you needn't look further than Montreal to participate. And once you see the events planned, you'll understand why there is the whole month of February is dedicated to the celebration.

Here's what Montreal has planned. The events are open to everyone! (event compilation courtesy of Federation CJA)

Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom
Shabbat Programming with Devid Lepofsky, an attorney who has spent his career advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Canada, both as a professional and as a volunteer. A lawyer and avid disability rights advocate, Lepofsky is blind and the father of a child with disabilities.
 Friday February 3 and Saturday February 4
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, 4100 Sherbrooke Street West. Click here for more information, and to register.

Federation CJA, The Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA & the Centre for Research on Children and Families
Fatherhood and masculine caregiving through the lens of caregiving fathers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: A social work perspective
Thursday February 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA, 5400 Westbury
Speaker: Aline Bogossian, MSW, PhD(c)

Adath Israel
My Hero Brother – Special pre-premiere film screening
This film is a remarkable story of a group of young people with Down syndrome that embark on a demanding trek through the Indian Himalayas with their siblings. Tuesday February 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Adath Israel, 223 Harrow

Federation CJA, The Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA & the Centre for Research on Children and Families
Parenting Children with Neurodisabilities: Context and Lived Experience
Thursday February 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA, 5400 Westbury
Speaker: Lucyna Lach, MSW, PhD

Federation CJA, The Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA & the Centre for Research on Children and Families
Light at the End of the Tunnel: Experiences of Hope among Parents of Children with Neurodisabilities
Thursday February 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA, 5400 Westbury
Speaker: Sacha Bailey, MSW, PhD(c)

Agence Ometz
Support Worker Training Program—Specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities
Monday February 20 to Thursday June 22

Agence Ometz
Supported Employment Services for Job Seekers with a mental health diagnosis, an intellectual challenge, a learning disability or an autism spectrum disorder
Date: Ongoing

Segal Centre for Performing Arts
Accessible Theatre for all
Date: Ongoing 
Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 5170 Côte-Saint-Catherine

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Would you like to join us for a fun day on April 22 to celebrate Inspirations and our special community? Contact Randy Pinsky for information on how to get started!