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We started at my synagogue so that people who have whatever limitations, or as they're seen as limitations, whether they are physical or cognitive or psychological, would be able to continue to participate in all aspects of synagogue life. I think it's vital that live streams and not just live streams, but that things like Zoom, things that are two way things that are participatory (continue). Can you talk about what's happening right now as different groups like the ACLU or the Disability Law Center are pushing for these municipal meetings or state meetings to keep live streams going? Meaning everyone, if they wanted to get involved in something, had to likely be part of a video platform or a live stream. So in the pandemic, then in at least a particular way, there was a leveling of a playing field for people with and without disabilities. But it was a challenge, obviously, to get there, to get in, to have them put the couch there in the first place. How often were you able to go out and participate physically in a space at the synagogue or otherwise?įrom the minute I met the rabbi, he really understood my situation and they would bring in a couch to the back of the synagogue so that I could lie on it. Jill Kaufman: I have on occasion seen you in the back of the synagogue in Amherst at the JCA. I have a downward facing monitor because I lie flat and that is how I will access Passover.
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And I access the world through my computer. Jacob Speaks: Well, I'm very fortunate to have PCAs - personal care attendants – and they help enormously so that my wife could go to work and hopefully get me out of the house as much as is possible. New England Public Media's Jill Kaufman asked Speaks about his Passover Seder, and about what's happening for him and others as many meetings and family events go off-line and back to in-person. But not everyone is able to, and as pandemic restrictions are lifted, video streams are becoming less available for all sorts of events and meetings.īecause of a relatively rare spinal cord disease called transverse myelitis, Jacob Speaks from Easthampton, Massachusetts, spends most of his waking time lying down. As Passover and Ramadan continue, people are still gathering. Many people came together in person for Easter this year – some for the first time since Spring 2019.