Monica Schneider-Brewer

Written by: Ellen and Sam Weinstock for Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month.  February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) when Jewish organizations join to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. In recognition of JDAIM, we want to spotlight how JSDD’s WAE Center fulfills this mission and has opened many doors for our son, Steven. Think back to the early days of the COVID pandemic when you were socially isolated. These were tough times, and they give one an opportunity to understand what life is like for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.   People with special needs are often physically and socially isolated from their communities. We had long been searching for […]

Eleven years into a collaboration, hosted and cultivated by the New Jersey Medical School, JSDD’s WAE Center and Matheny Arts Access are bringing the work of their artists into the summer light with NJMS Collaborative Art Exhibit 2021.

JSDD’s WAE Center studio artists have been members of Studio Montclair for many years.  The Portrait Project was conceived as an educational and artistic opportunity where both JSDD’s WAE Center and Studio Montclair’s Art Academy brought their facilitators and students to a shared table…and created this reflective work. 

This work is on exhibit from August 1 – August 31, at the gallery of Studio Montclair at 127 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ.  Opening reception to be held “In Real Life” on Saturday August 7 from 1-5pm.

On June 22, the LGBTQ+ WAE group gathered with artists, families, allies and friends to convene our first Artists Talk and Opening Reception for the “Art of Inclusion – LGBTQ+ Pride 2021” virtual exhibit.

Hosted by Oscar Marin, four artists spoke about their work and motivation and shared their thoughts about advocacy through art for LGBTQ+ people, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The new summer workshops are starting!

WAE Workshops offer a creative space where individuals 16 years and over can work with professional artists, practitioners, and facilitators to develop and expand their interests and skills.