From the Desk of David Sorkin: Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month

This year, we’re celebrating the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island’s 90th birthday. As the JCC turns 90, we reflect back on the milestones the organization has achieved over the years.

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, a worldwide effort to raise awareness and advocate for people with disabilities. At the JCC, we believe that providing services to people with disabilities is a core component to everything we do, and we have a long history of creating programs to support their needs.

​Many years ago, one of our Board Members, Bea Victor, was an early pioneer in the field, working to assist the JCC as we developed programs for individuals with disabilities. Under her guidance, we created services for people with disabilities, worked to provide opportunities for inclusion, and assisted families traverse the very complicated system of finding and receiving much-needed services.

We continued to expand our offerings for people with disabilities to help during at all stages of life. In 1989, under the direction of Early Childhood Education Director Beth Howard, the JCC developed the First Foot Forward Program, an educational program for young children with speech delays, sensory needs, and motor issues. The program started out small and continued to grow under the guidance of Jayne Smith, our Chief Program Director for Early Childhood and Disability Services. The current program, which is offered at three sites, includes individualized instruction with different types of therapy for children’s various needs.

​After school lets out, the JCC hosts programs specifically designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which present them an opportunity to socialize and engage with peers in an inclusive environment. We also have an after school program for teens and young adults with disabilities that aims to help them transition into adulthood.

In the summers, children of all abilities are able to create wonderful memories and make new friends at summer camp. Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs, named in memory of Marvin Weissglass, is a unique recreational summer program customized for children with disabilities. Campers are able to enjoy the great outdoors, go on trips, and socialize in a safe and inclusive environment. 

​Our Day Habilitation Without Walls Program for Young Adults offers social, recreational, and vocational activities. Young adults take part in activities such as delivering meals to the homebound, stocking our food pantry, and gardening. They also take trips to various museums and other cultural organizations. The program maintains a strong emphasis on community inclusion. 

We engage our participants in opportunities to be healthy, social, and active members of the community with a maximum degree of independence. 

Watch this video from UJA Federation of New York of our Day Hab participants enjoying their music class.

Acceptance and inclusion are key components to all of our programming at the JCC. We offer inclusion opportunities in many of our traditional programs, including sports, camp, and after school programs, so that children and young adults with disabilities are able to take part in a wide array of activities.

In every one of our sites, we emphasize the importance of creating a space where everyone feels welcome. The JCC is proud to be a place where people of all abilities can feel safe and included, and most importantly, where they can learn and have fun.