Jewish Disability, Awareness, and Inclusion Month

Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is recognizing February as Jewish Disability, Awareness, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) in support of Jewish communities throughout the region.

JDAIM is a collaborative effort among Jewish organizations globally to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities and those who care about them. While JDAIM is observed each February, it is a conversation that must be focused on throughout the year for all communities.

Recommendations for how people can participate in this important initiative include:

• Advocate: To bring awareness to people in the Jewish community with disabilities, create a community on social media to connect to others. Consider posting about the ways inclusions can strengthen support.
• Use appropriate language: When talking about people with disabilities, make sure to use person-first language. For example, say, “a person with a disability” instead of “a disabled person”. Do not let a person’s condition to identity them.
• Learn and grow: Take some time to educate yourself and others on disabilities, and how they can affect each person differently. This will also help you to better understand some of the struggles that people with disabilities may face.
• Listen: One of the most important ways to be an ally is to listen and learn through virtual events or reading blog posts to understand and model advocacy efforts based on the priorities and needs of persons with disabilities.

According to the World’s Health Organization, people with disabilities make up the world’s largest minority group. Twenty percent of people in the U.S. have some disability and 1 in 10 suffer from a severe disability.

Local organizations contracted with OCHN to deliver quality, behavioral health services to persons living with disabilities include, JARC, Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) Human Services, Jewish Family Services (JFSJ), and Kadima Mental Health Services.

To learn more about JDAIM and events occurring throughout February, visit the JCC Association of North America’s website. To learn more about OCHN’s service delivery system visit www.oaklandchn.org or call OCHN’s Access team at 248.464.6363.

About OCHN

OCHN leads a provider service network that assists approximately 23,000 Oakland County citizens at more than 300 service sites across the county. People who receive public mental health services through OCHN's provider network include those who have an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health challenge, or substance use disorder. The majority of these individuals have Medicaid insurance coverage.

OCHN's goal is to ensure these individuals are aware of and have access to services and supports that will improve their health and quality of life, as well as ensure their engagement in full community participation. Its mission to “inspire hope, empower people, and strengthen communities” reflects an unyielding belief in a "Valuable System for Valued People." Programs and supports provided by OCHN's service network are available at www.oaklandchn.org.