Many individuals with disabilities and their families face challenges navigating available supports within the Jewish community. JAccess plays a vital role in bridging that gap by providing guidance, making meaningful referrals, and sharing valuable resources across educational, social, and healthcare settings, ensuring every family can access what they need to thrive. 

Advocacy is essential to building a Jewish community where every individual is valued and included. Inclusion and belonging require more than good intentions; it demands systemic change. That’s why JAccess not only works within our Jewish community but also advocates for legislative policies that remove barriers and uphold the dignity and rights of people with disabilities. By partnering with leaders and organizations across Georgia, we promote inclusive practices in Jewish life and beyond, ensuring that programs, facilities, and opportunities are accessible to all. 

At JAccess, we believe that advocacy is a sacred responsibility — a way to put Jewish values like dignity (kavod), justice (tzedek), and communal responsibility into action. We are proud to share that two major legislative victories in Georgia this year reflect the power of collective effort and our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive future for all. 

In November 2024, Georgia officially became a Model Employer for people with disabilities — a landmark step that promotes inclusive hiring practices across state agencies. This law not only opens doors to meaningful employment but also signals a cultural shift: valuing people with disabilities as essential contributors to our workforce and communities. 

JAccess was honored to stand alongside other disability advocates across the state in pushing for this change. Our voice ensured that the needs and perspectives of the Jewish disability community were represented and heard. 

Another monumental win came with the signing of the Dignity and Pay Act, legislation that guarantees fair wages for Georgians with disabilities by ending subminimum wage practices. This is more than just a paycheck — it’s a recognition of human worth. 

JAccess was deeply engaged in this effort, working collaboratively with a broad coalition of disability rights groups. Together, we made the case that dignity must never be negotiable. 

These victories were not won alone. They were the result of deep partnerships with disability-led organizations across Georgia, united by a shared belief in equity and opportunity. As a Jewish organization, we brought our community’s voice to the table — ensuring our values and concerns helped shape policies that now benefit thousands, including Jewish Georgians with disabilities and their families. 

JAccess partners closely with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to ensure that disability-related legislative issues are prioritized and addressed within JAccess. By elevating the voices and lived experiences of people with disabilities, JAccess helps shape advocacy efforts that reflect our community’s needs, ensuring that inclusion, equity, and dignity remain central to our collective policy agenda. 

The JAccess Accessibility Fund is a continuous grant opportunity designed to promote inclusion and celebrate the unique contributions of people with disabilities throughout Jewish Atlanta. Available year-round, this fund supports synagogues, camps, schools, and other Jewish organizations in creating welcoming, accessible spaces and programs. 

Whether you’re planning a new initiative or looking to enhance an existing one, the Accessibility Fund is here to help ensure that every member of our community can participate fully in Jewish life — with dignity, equity, and belonging at the center. 

JAccess Large-Scale Inclusion Grant: Funding Impactful Change – Opening January 2026 

JAccess offers a one-year grant opportunity for Jewish community organizations, with awards up to $20,000. This grant is designed to support the launch of innovative projects that foster greater inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities across Jewish Atlanta.