The Parent Perspective: Disabilities and Jewish Day Schools

The following study describes the experiences of parents with a child with a disability in Jewish day schools. The findings suggest marked differences in the experiences of parents whose child was able to remain in the day school and those who left as a result of their child's disability. In the latter group, the themes of loneliness and marginalization were common. Although parents hoped to feel included in the Jewish community-with Jewish day school an important expression of this desire and commitment-many found few appropriate programs and services and a general lack of awareness of and sensitivity to disability issues in the Jewish community.