An exploration of how to make spaces and communities inclusive and accessible through the framework of building and welcoming guests into a Sukkah. – Submitted by Ariella Rosen

Download:Inclusion and Disabilities Session 3_ST3_Rosen, Ariella ST3 Handout 3_0, Ariella ST3 Handout 1 , Ariella ST3 Handout 2_0 (1), Ariella-ST3-Handout-4

An introduction to various ideas around inclusion and feeling different through the framework of a Passover Seder.

Download:  Inclusion and Disabilities Session 1_ST1_Rosen, Ariella ST1 Handout 1, Ariella ST1 Handout 2 (1)

An activity in which participants explore some of the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities through writing and speaking about their own experiences and reacting to those of others

Download:  I am not your Inspiration_KC_Rosen, Ariella ST2 Handout 1

Daniel Bahner. The first webinar in FJC’s Leaders All Year series, this webinar offered actionable ideas and suggestions to make camp more welcoming to LGBTQ people. There was a particular focus on campers and staff who are exploring gender identity, and those who identify as transgender.

by Howard Blas, Lisa Blumenthal, Tali Cohen & Liz Offen A great deal of counselors and inclusion specialists’ time is spent working with the ‘inclusion camper,’ a camper with disabilities who is fully included in the bunk and division, to maximize chances of success. But, inclusion is not a success if neurotypical bunk mates have a negative experience with the “inclusion camper.” This session will explore Camp Ramah in New England’s approach to working with the whole bunk to maximize inclusion success for all. Topics include bunk meetings (with and without inclusion camper), what information about the camper to share, and tools for dealing with uncomfortable situations.

We have created this online resource guide to share information and resources which will help you feel more confident in your work with children with disabilities. Camp directors may want to take a look at sections pertaining to inclusive camping for people with disabilities, successful inclusion in Jewish summer camp, inclusive camps, specific disabilities and related activities, communicating with parents, staff training, and people first language. Inclusion Coordinators will find it particularly useful to access certain materials like intake forms, people first language and general information on inclusive camping before the summer, while other materials like staff training (role-plays, sensitivity activities, values based on Jewish texts, and people first language) may be useful while camp is in session. Counselors, division heads, inclusion coordinators, program directors and camper care teams may find such tools as social stories, visual schedules, and tips on managing camper behavior, and speaking to the bunk about inclusion and disabilities to be particularly useful. FJC is grateful for the generous support of UJA-Federation of New York ‘ Neshamot Fund, and our partner, the Ramah Camping Movement, on development of this guide. Through the collaborative efforts of Lisa Tobin, Director of Disabilities Initiatives at Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) and Howard Blas, Director of the National Ramah Tikvah Network, this co-branded resource has emerged. In an effort to get useful training material in the hands of camp personnel in time for the 2015 camp season, Lisa and Howard, their teams at FJC and Ramah, and many helpful colleagues in the disabilities camping field have worked tirelessly to collect, organize, and bring online the many useful resources in this guide. It is our sincere hope that this guide will evolve through use and feedback, as a regularly updated, hands-on, online resource assisting you in all aspects of your work with campers with disabilities. Please use the form below to submit comments and subscribe to updates.

Download: Disabilities Resource Guide_FINAL_USE_THIS_VERSION_ONLY