ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley is dedicated to helping community agencies become more accessible and inclusive and to helping individuals with disabilities live healthier and more stable lives.

Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.
Liz Fosslein

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

For parents with an adult child with a disability

Why attend:

Taking care of an adult child with a disability can be isolating. This group is an opportunity to share and interact with others who have a similar life journey, while examining the particular challenges and benefits of this unique experience.

What:

This group will be co-facilitated by Amanda Thomas, PhD, Accessibility and Inclusion Coordinator and Laura Garber, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker. This group will focus on building connections in a safe, supportive environment while also providing disability resources to support your child’s needs. Attendance is encouraged for all sessions to build a caring and nurturing community.

When:

This group meets weekly over an 8 week period. Each session is one hour. Dates and times will be determined based on availability of participants.

Where:

All sessions will take place in person at JFS.

Fee:

$200 registration fee covers all 8 sessions. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Who should come:

Parents of adult children with
disabilities who are looking to connect with others.

Purpose of Group:

Increasing self-awareness
Exploring your hopes and dreams for your child
Encouraging independence in your child
Building emotional support from friends and family
Pursuing long term planning for your child
Taking care of yourself

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

JFS provides education and best practices to help organizations promote inclusion and embrace diversity. We partner with local synagogues and community agencies to offer training and professional development.

Examples of trainings include:

Accessibility Site Visits

are designed to help your synagogue benchmark progress and generate ideas for new areas of exploration and growth (at little to no cost).

LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training

helps professional staff to increase awareness and sensitivity when supporting and interacting with the LGBTQ+ community.

Disability Best Practices Training

provides your organization with tips and ideas for terminology, language, signage, seating for in-person events, and accommodations for virtual events.

Disability Sensitivity Training

provides a general overview of disabilities, ADA, and inclusion tips.

Digital Accessibility

is an introductory workshop defining digital accessibility and why it is important, reviewing best practices for accessibility, and exploring tools to check accessibility.

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley strives to be accessible and inclusive. We offer accommodations for all of our programs and services.

Image of a woman in a wheelchair entering a ramp or platform

A NEW PARTNERSHIP:
SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING

JFS is proud to partner with Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living to bring Supported Decision Making to our area. Supported Decision Making allows adults with disabilities to become more independent in making their own decisions, together with the help and support of trusted people they know in their life. 

Over the course of two years, we are working to …

Create a Stakeholders Advisory Council made up of people with disabilities and professionals
Establish diverse focus groups that will provide feedback on Supported Decision Making materials and trainings for a wide range of abilities
Provide regional trainings for young adult decision-makers (ages 14-21), families and supporters, professionals and school personnel
Launch an accessible website with individualized information, videos and resources

CONTACT OUR ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION TEAM