(JTA) — The Jewish Federations of North America and the Ruderman Family Foundation launched a program offering employment opportunities to young people with disabilities.

The effort “will raise awareness of the importance of inclusion” in the Jewish community, according to Jay Ruderman, president of the foundation.

The program, known as the Ruderman Family Foundation Opportunity Initiative, will begin a pilot program this January providing internships and fellowships for young people with disabilities in five federations across the United States.

The internships will last for 10 months. Should the program extend to a second year, it will expand to include more federations, interns, and fellows.