Disability Inclusion

Disability Inclusion is a JRC Value.

JRC strives to be a place that welcomes and makes itself accessible to all people. To that end, we endeavor to make the physical and virtual spaces where we gather usable for people with disabilities. Please note that, in our descriptions of these efforts, we will alternate between disability-first and person-first language; we recognize that different people prefer different language, and we will always respect the preference of an individual in how they would like to be described.

The importance of disability inclusion corresponds to the JRC Board’s strategic values of kehillah (community) and b’tzelem elohim (made in God’s image).

JRC's Values in Action

JRC's members, both as a congregation and as individuals, are dedicated to a variety of social justice movements and causes. You'll find a link at the bottom of each of our VALUES pages that will connect you to a congregant coordinating these efforts; please reach out for more information.

How we engage with Disability Inclusion at JRC.

In 1998, JRC joined the The National Organization on Disability (NOD), which has recognized JRC for its work in eliminating barriers and becoming an Accessible Congregation.
Our building was built with accessibility in mind!
- We have two elevators that reach our second floor religious school and third floor sanctuary and social hall.
- Our sanctuary and social hall are accessible for people using mobility devices. This includes a ramp to our bima (stage).
- A wheelchair-accessible mezuzah is available in our sanctuary.
- We use accessible door handles throughout the building.
- All our bathrooms include accessible bathroom stalls.
- Our parking lot has designated parking spots for people with disability license plates or plaque/cards. We also have curb cuts to make entering and exiting easier.
We ask members & guests to let our executive director know if they need accommodations to participate in any program, and we work to provide them as needed.
Face masks are available upon request.
For the high holidays in 2023/5784, we offered CART captioning in the sanctuary and on Zoom.
We offer multi-access services for many of our programming events and all of our religious services. This includes live captioning via Zoom.
Our web site aims to meet WAI accessibility guidelines wherever possible.
A large-print makhzur (prayer book) is available for anyone who needs it.
Assistive listening is available through streaming to hearing aids or headphones.
Kehillah, our Shabbat-based religious school program, prioritizes meeting the needs of learners with disabilities and different learning needs.
- The 2nd floor learning space includes a Makom Shalom, a quiet room for learners with different sensory needs.
- Our religious school inclusion coordinator works closely with the families of learners with different learning needs as well as teachers to support their planning and implementation of activities.
- Our curriculum is taught using a range of activities that support children’s range of abilities with regard to reading, writing, movement, and emotional regulation.
- We have hosted support groups for families of children and young adults with disabilities.
- Families of religious school learners can contact our Religious School Director Lauren Reeves for more information on how we can make Kehillah inclusive for their children.
JRC has historically offered programs celebrating disability during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month.
- In 2023, Emily Ladau, author of Demystifying Disability, spoke at our Chodesh Shabbat.
In February 2021, we offered a program on Disability Activism in the United States and the Impact of the Film Crip Camp
In October 2022, we offered a program entitled “Welcoming All: A Sukkot Program Working to Create Community by Merging Our Physical and Virtual Worlds”
In February 2023, we offered a program on Notable Jewish Women and Disability Rights.

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