The Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson praises publication as ‘model of best practice’
LONDON – (19 July 2007) – The Board of Deputies is proud to announce its latest publication, A Guide for Jewish Adults with Disabilities. Part informational booklet and part classified directory, the 84-page publication is a ‘one-stop’ volume that is packed with important and useful information. Fundamentally a practical compendium, the Guide is an introduction to the full array of voluntary organisations that offer cultural and religiously sensitive services to the British Jewish community.
A Guide for Jewish Adults with Disabilities is a publication of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and is the result of a cooperative effort co-ordinated by Dr Susan Pascoe, Board Deputy, together with present and past Deputies and the generous assistance of Kisharon, Norwood and The Kessler Foundation.
In a foreword to the volume, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, MP, former Health Secretary, praises the book as “an excellent guide which will make a practical difference to the lives of many people in the Jewish community…This guide will play an important part in our shared commitment to improving the life chances of disabled people.”
Alan Johnson, who recently became Secretary of State for Health under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, offered this praise:
I welcome the publication of this guide which is comprehensive, practical and timely. It is model of best practice both in terms of illustrating how the Department of Health and the Third Sector can work in partnership with one another and demonstrating how an established minority with a deep tradition of caring can contribute to the overall goal of community cohesion for the common good.
The publication contains the most current data available. Particularly helpful is the “Your Rights” section, which covers key provisions for employees with disabilities that must be observed in the work place and in other circumstances.
A Guide for Jewish Adults with Disabilities is aimed at providing key information to Jewish youth (aged 16 and upwards) and adults with disabilities. Posed in helpful question-and-answer format, the areas covered include:
- Rights (education, workplace)
- Legal considerations (power of attorney, wills, legal help)
- Local authority services
- Education and training
- Employment (looking for work, grants, access to work, job schemes)
- Financial entitlements (benefits, tax credits, disability living allowance, housing and incapacity benefits, pension credits)
- Housing
- Recreation, Leisure and transport (special needs provisions, transport-related benefits, carer support groups)
- Religious provision (synagogal organisations)
- Provision for Scottish Jewry
Communal praise for the new publication
Paul Edlin, Vice-President of the Board of Deputies and chairman of its Community Issues Division, praised the work of lay leaders and professional staff in working together to produce a significant booklet that should benefit the lives of many disabled people. “This booklet”, he said, “is a further demonstration of the ongoing assistance the Board of Deputies gives in assisting the day-to-day lives of a significant number of people in the Jewish community.”
Susan Pascoe, co-ordinator of the Guide and a member of the Board’s Community Issues Division stated: “I am delighted after many years work that this booklet has been published to help Jewish adults with disabilities. In many ways this book is a starting point. In time I hope it will encourage input from the Jewish community and stimulate further research in this key area.”
Norma Brier, Chief Executive of Norwood, welcomed the book. "As Norwood works to support children and adults with disabilities to reach their full potential in life, we are particularly delighted to be involved with this guide. I know it will be a valuable resource helping adults with learning disabilities and their families to find the support they need more easily."
Said Jacalyn Sank, Deputy Executive Director of Kisharon: “I am delighted to have been part of the steering group that has brought this important resource to fruition. I know it will be of enormous help for parents of young adults with disabilities in their quest to find the right support for their individual needs.”
A PDF version of A Guide for Jewish Adults with Disabilities is available by clicking here. Requests for hard copies should be made by contacting the Board of Deputies at info@bod.org.uk.
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