Rebeccare
Moose Enthusiast
- Messages
- 9,066
- Location
- Massachusetts
Hi all,
I work with people who have disabilities in the Jewish community, and recently I have also been working with synagogues in my area who have become interested in being more inclusive spaces. This is a bit of an irony, since I have not really been able to attend synagogue since becoming sick (too much sitting up).
One point I often make in presenting to synagogues is that people with disabilities are a very diverse group--not just people using wheelchairs or kids with autism--and that many people have invisible disabilities. And I try to give them simple, concrete tips for how to accommodate people with various needs (use unscented soap in the bathrooms, provide page magnifiers, provide schedules, etc.)
However, I have been trying to think of ways that synagogues could accommodate me, but the only thing I can think of is turning off the air conditioning and sticking a recliner in the back row! Not quite so simple or realistic. I want to be able to include something about CFS in my presentations, so I need some help brainstorming!
My questions to you are:
I work with people who have disabilities in the Jewish community, and recently I have also been working with synagogues in my area who have become interested in being more inclusive spaces. This is a bit of an irony, since I have not really been able to attend synagogue since becoming sick (too much sitting up).
One point I often make in presenting to synagogues is that people with disabilities are a very diverse group--not just people using wheelchairs or kids with autism--and that many people have invisible disabilities. And I try to give them simple, concrete tips for how to accommodate people with various needs (use unscented soap in the bathrooms, provide page magnifiers, provide schedules, etc.)
However, I have been trying to think of ways that synagogues could accommodate me, but the only thing I can think of is turning off the air conditioning and sticking a recliner in the back row! Not quite so simple or realistic. I want to be able to include something about CFS in my presentations, so I need some help brainstorming!
My questions to you are:
- What would help you be able attend religious services?
- What would make you fell more comfortable (physically or emotionally) at religious services?
- What can houses of worship do to help you feel like part of the community, even if you can't attend services regularly?