Resource Browser Page
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| December 9, 2009 |
Including People with Disabilities in Church LifeGetting Started Sharon, a member of our church, asked me what I do for a living. I told her that I help churches learn how to include people with disabilities in their life and ministry. Her eyes brightened, and she asked me how. I eagerly told her a few ideas, but there was more to say. |
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| December 28, 2009 |
Relationship - The Main ThingGetting Started The medical, educational, and social service communities give labels to people such as “autism,” “cerebral palsy,” “dementia,” and “macular degeneration.” These labels can be useful for understanding and helping people, but a person is not his or her label. Barbara Newman writes, "My mother-in-law was diagnosed with diabetes. It’s helpful for me to know this when she comes to my home. It helps me..." |
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| December 30, 2009 |
A Biblical Perspective on Disability and InclusionGetting Started Jesus’ first recorded sermon proclaimed that God’s kingdom was at hand. Then he spent the rest of his public ministry on earth bringing in the kingdom. Our calling as advocates for people with disabilities is to carry on Jesus’ work so that all people, especially people with disabilities, will be welcomed to the body of Christ and encouraged to use their gifts in ministry. The Scriptures provide us with a basic foundation for this work. |
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| December 30, 2009 |
Quick Wins for Inclusion of People with DisabilitiesGetting Started The idea of including people with disabilities in church life can sound overwhelming when someone doesn't know where to begin. Most of the following ideas are easily implemented and at minimal cost. |
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| January 6, 2010 |
Church Policy on DisabilityGetting Started Disability Concerns strongly recommends that churches make an intentional commitment to include people with disabilities in church life by adopting a policy on disability and making this commitment well known within the congregation. Many churches have adopted the following policy; some have adapted the wording for their specific situation. |
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| January 6, 2010 |
Resolution on Disabilities Adopted by the CRCAdvocacy The Christian Reformed Church made an express commitment at the 1985 meeting of the Synod to break down barriers and work for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the congregation. The following is the wording of that commitment... |
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| January 28, 2010 |
30 Ways You Can Be Hospitable to People with DisabilitiesGetting Started The Christian Reformed and Reformed Church in America collaborated to produce this resource which highlights what ordinary people are already doing in their Christian Reformed or Reformed Church in America congregations. Additional copies can be printed to hang in your church... |
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| February 2, 2010 |
Empathy: a Key to Inclusive MinistryHospitality While leading a worship service I encouraged the congregation to think about ways to make people with disabilities feel welcome. I praised them for several things they were doing well, and I pointed out several areas for improvement such as making pew cutouts for people who use wheelchairs. After the service, one man defended his church, “If someone comes in a wheelchair, he can sit in the front.” |
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| February 10, 2010 |
More Help is Close ByAdvocacy Disability Concerns has a network of Regional Disability Advocates who are eager to assist the churches of their classes. If you wish to be in touch with one of them, click on the name of the Regional Advocate below. In your note, please tell us the name of your church, your city and province/state. |
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| May 4, 2010 |
Getting Intentional about Inclusive Church EducationChurch Education Although many people think about people with disabilities as having needs and non-disabled people having gifts to offer, nondisabled and disabled each have gifts and needs. Each of us has green areas of our lives – things that we are good at – and pink areas – things we are not good at. Like the various members of body, so the puzzle pieces fit together because we all need each other... |
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| May 24, 2010 |
Funding for Church Building AccessibilityAccessibility For building improvements, there are three foundations of which we are aware that will give accessibility grants to churches in specific regions. |
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| July 9, 2010 |
Together, We Create DisabilityAccessibility Once we recognize and admit to our participation in other people’s disabilities, we can begin to remove the barriers to participation that we have erected. It’s those barriers that we together create that cause problems of accessibility for people with disabilities, barriers of architecture, communication, and attitude. For example ... |
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| July 18, 2010 |
A Baker’s Dozen Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing LoopsAccessibility Answers to common questions about hearing loop systems to help readers better understand this important technology. |
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| July 27, 2010 |
Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008Accessibility More than 54 million Americans with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit daily activities are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This brief article summarizes the titles of the 1990 ADA and the 2008 Amendment to the ADA. |
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| November 4, 2010 |
Using Computers For Inclusive WorshipWorship Without intending to, worship planners, tech crews, and secretaries create handouts and slides that are difficult to read for people with visual impairments. These guidelines will help a church make their electronic and print materials more accessible and useful for all members of the congregation. |
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| December 7, 2010 |
How Inclusive Is My Congregation?Accessibility This simple tool* will help you assess how well your congregation is including and engaging people with disabilities in ministry. |
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| December 9, 2010 |
Is This How a Deaf Person Feels?Advocacy A woman reflects on her "disability" as a hearing person who knows little sign language at a conference where most attendees are deaf and use sign language to communicate. |
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| December 16, 2010 |
Action Steps for InclusionGetting Started The Equally Able Foundation produced a short list of action steps for inclusion. We adapted this list and added some links to resources. While there are many things that can be done to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities, the following are steps in the right direction... |
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| February 8, 2011 |
Ideas for Your Church to Help a Child with Disabilities and His FamilyHospitality “A family attending our church has a child with disabilities. We want to help. What should we do? Where do we start?” This little resource is packed with great ideas to help you and your church get started. |
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| June 23, 2011 |
Cultural Perspectives of Foreign-born Persons in the U.S. Regarding DisabilityCaring Many congregations have members who are immigrants from various countries, some of whom live with disabilities. The monographs linked to this article will help church leaders minister better to congregation members both by getting a better understanding of the culture and of the culture's perspective |
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| September 26, 2009 |
Look with eyes openCaring Last Thursday, I was introduced to someone who goes to a very large church in our area. When he asked about my work, I explained that I help churches learn ways to include people with disabilities in the life of the church. He replied that he wasn’t aware of any people with disabilities at his church. When I saw one of his pastors today, I mentioned that comment. |
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| September 28, 2009 |
On our sideMeditating on Luke 9:50 this morning. Jesus said, “Whoever is not against you is for you.” Sometimes advocacy gets wearisome. It seems like one has to keep pushing constantly to see movement in inclusion of people with disabilities in churches, society, and other people’s lives. My temptation over time is to see most people as being against the work that Disability Concerns stands for. But Jesus pulls me up short on that temptation. “No,” he says, “Whoever is not against you is for you.” That turns the tide. Since most people are not against inclusion, they must be for it. |
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| October 1, 2009 |
People with disabilities more likely to be victims of crimeCaring The US Dept. of Justice released results of a first-ever study of crimes against people with disabilities. The sad and not-surprising finding is that people with disabilities are one and one half times as likely to be victims of crime as people without disabilities. Women with disabilities and people with cognitive impairments were most likely among people with disabilities to be victims of crime. Also, young people with disabilities ages 12-19 were twice as likely to be victims of crime as their peers who do not have a disability. |
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| October 6, 2009 |
Diversity of abilities is thought of lastAlthough we North Americans are getting better at emphasizing diversity in the workplace, people with disabilities tend to be the last ones that diversity practitioners seek to recruit for jobs. I ran across these reflections by Rob McInness today on why that might be so. He writes, |
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| October 9, 2009 |
Let justice rollOn October 7, Speaker of the US House, Nancy Pelosi, spoke at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda when a statue of Helen Keller was unveiled. Among other things, Pelosi said, “As Helen Keller said: 'My sympathies are with all who struggle for justice.' In her lifetime, Helen Keller worked for opportunity for people with disabilities, for racial equality, and for the rights of women.” |
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| October 13, 2009 |
Holy CreativityAdvocacy I read today about Sir James Dyson’s newest product, the air multiplier, which blows a lot of air at constant rate without any visible moving blades. It’s just a big hoop atop a base. It sounds amazing. Dyson and his company have made their living by thinking outside the box about commonplace things. |
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| October 14, 2009 |
Living out our valuesAdvocacy The National Association of Evangelicals produced a document in 2004 called “For the Health of the Nation.” It is not so much about health care reform as about the health of the United States as a nation. The scope of the document reaches far beyond the “traditional” evangelical issues of abortion and marriage. These are included, but other matters of justice feature prominently as well. Fortunately, people with disabilities were not forgotten by the authors. |
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| November 7, 2009 |
Article on autismCaring Ever wonder what it's like to live with autism, or have a child with autism. Here's a "humanizing article" as my friend calls it: The Anti-Socialite: Life with an Asperger's Child. |
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| November 17, 2009 |
Empathy is keyEmpathy is a perspective, a decision, and a skill to reach outside of yourself to connect with someone else. Empathy puts the Golden Rule into action. A church that welcomes people with disabilities works at empathy. They talk to people with disabilities and use their imaginations. They pray to God to grow their hearts big into the lives of people who have to live life differently from themselves. |
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| November 19, 2009 |
UN Day of Persons with DisabilitiesDecember 3 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Read a snapshot here. What can you do in your church, your home, your place of employment do to recognize this day? |
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| November 23, 2009 |
"A Place for All"Advocacy A new documentary, "A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities" by the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, is to begin airing on ABC affiliates December 6. Please call your local ABC affiliate and ask them to air "A Place for All." See Interfaith Broadcasting Commission for more information. |
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| November 30, 2009 |
C-384 "Right to Die with Dignity Act"Canadians: Bill C-384 (the so-called "Right to Die with Dignity Act") would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide and threaten the lives of Canadians with disabilities. According to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition "Debate on Bill C-384 is now scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2010, with the vote scheduled for February 3." See our page for more information on C-384 and for details on contacting your MP. |
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| December 14, 2009 |
Practical Ideas for InclusionGetting Started Wow! Looking for some practical ideas to make your congregation more accessible? Find 57 of them here from the Episcopal Disability Network. Find great ideas like turning two non-accessible bathrooms into one unisex accessible bathroom, and celebrating your own limitations! |
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| January 5, 2010 |
Neither Pity Nor ReverenceMost people with disabilities that I know don't want to be pitied. But neither do they want to be reverenced as if they were paragons of virtue or models of triumph of the human spirit. Way too many journalists who feature stories about people living with disabilities frame their stories in the "reverence" light. "Here's Joe who lives with X disability, but look at all he has done! What determination. What spirit. What an example for all of us!" If I lived with a disability... |
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| February 2, 2010 |
Leadership ForumCaring Live near Palos Heights? On Saturday, February 27, from 8:45 a.m. to noon, Trinity Christian College will host The Chicago Disability Concerns Leadership Forum for church leaders as well as persons with disabilities and care givers. Participants will learn about the church’s role in supporting families dealing with disabilities in an era of insufficient social services funding. |
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| February 8, 2010 |
Mental Health ConferenceCaring Faith and Hope Ministries presents "Caring for One Another" on Saturday, March 27, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at the Best Western Hotel in Cobourg, Ontario. Workshops include Burnout, Support Groups, Addictions, Early Psychosis Intervention, Men and Depression, Spiritual Support of the Mentally Ill, and a Family Panel. Keynote, Dr. Grant Mullen, will speak on "A Christian Approach to Depression and Anxiety" in the morning session and "Fear: When Trust is Lost"... |
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| February 10, 2010 |
Get Rid of the R-WordAdvocacy For the most part, the n-word has been removed from spoken English, thank God. It's offensive, demeaning, and reminiscent of an extremely painful past for African Americans. An equally offensive word is the r-word, which I'll name here only to make clear what I'm talking about, "retarded," and it's even more offensive cousin, "retard." Recently, President Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, used the term "retarded" to describe... |
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| February 23, 2010 |
Virginia State Legislator Says that Disabled Children are Punishment from GodAdvocacy Long ago, or so I thought, people said that children born with anomalies were warnings to their parents that covenant with the gods had been violated. The Latin word for "to warn" is monere from which comes the English word, "monster." Thus, children (and adults) with disabilities were thought of as monsters to be feared, because they were proof that the gods were angered by violations of their laws. |
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| March 4, 2010 |
How to Get Rid of the 'R' WordAdvocacy Here's a well written and thoughtful commentary about the R-word from the Detroit Free Press. |
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| March 4, 2010 |
We Need to Redefine Excellence in WorshipWorship With the winter Olympics just behind us, the word "excellence" easily comes to mind. The athletes displayed brilliant excellence on the short track, the half pipe, the slope, and many other venues. After years of intense training with the world's greatest coaches these young men and women dazzled us with a feats of athleticism so that shockingly difficult maneuvers looked easy. |
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Average Rating | |
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| December 9, 2009 |
Worship ResourcesWorship Disability Concerns has many resources for disability awareness worship services including messages, litanies, and two week-long devotionals collected on this one page. |
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| January 20, 2010 |
Liberation, Inclusion, and Justice: A Faith Response to Persons with DisabilitiesAdvocacy The late Prof. Nancy Eiesland wrote a thought-provoking reflection on Luke 24:36-39, the passage which describes Jesus' revelation of himself to the frightened disciples after he rose from the dead. They could not recognize him until he showed them his scars. Eiesland writes, "Reading this passage, I realized that here was a part of my hidden history as a Christian. The foundation of Christian theology is... |
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| January 22, 2010 |
SafeLink WirelessCaring Individuals in the U.S. who are receiving benefits or are low income may now qualify for a free Tracfone cell phone for 68 minutes per month. Check out the SafeLink Wireless program. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
Seven Things Never to Say to a Person with DisabilitiesCaring What would you add to this list of Seven Things Never to Say to People with Disablities? |
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| January 22, 2010 |
Basic Disability EtiquetteCaring Wonder how to be courteous to a person who has a disability? Here's a great start from Easter Seals. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
Language about People with DisabilitiesCaring Wondering what sort of language is appropriate when referring to people with disabilities? How do you avoid the we-they language that is common when nondisabled people talk about people with disabilities? How should a bulletin announcement be worded when announcing the birth of a child who has Down Syndrome? In the same way that the n-word is totally inappropriate to refer to African-Americans, some words and phrases... |
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| February 9, 2010 |
Breaking Down Barriers: a Multi-Faith Guide to Accessibility in Places of WorshipThis resource was developed by Reena in partnership with champions of accessibility for people with disabilities. This Guide outlines a step-by-step process for making your place of worship accessible to people with disabilities, based on the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07. Although some specifics may not apply, the principles outlined in this guide are useful no matter which province (or state) you live in. |
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| April 20, 2010 |
Life KludgerCaring People with disabilities tend to be highly creative, since they have to find workarounds to do things that cannot be done the way most people do them. A kludge is a ... |
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| May 4, 2010 |
Article About Resource for the DeafChurch Education An excellent article in the March, 2010, Christianity Today tells about a ministry with the Deaf which gives church leaders a better understanding about ministry with people who are deaf as well as what seems to be an excellent resource. |
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| May 4, 2010 |
Documentary: Through Deaf EyesChurch Education "THROUGH DEAF EYES is a two-hour HDTV documentary that explores 200 years of Deaf life in America." Though not produced from a religious perspective, it gives ministry leaders a good understanding of Deaf history, culture, and language. |
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| May 4, 2010 |
Documentary: A Place for AllGetting Started "A Place for All explores the courageous stories of persons with disabilities as they succeed in making their faith communities truly inclusive." This one-hour documentary gives perspective on ministry with people with disabilities and gives many practical ideas. Examples of inclusion are given from various faith groups. It would work well during an adult education hour, or could be shown over two weeks and include time for discussion. Disability Concerns has one copy on Canada and one in the US for lending to churches. |
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| May 12, 2010 |
Accessibility in Worship Architecture: Does Your Church Welcome Everyone?Accessibility This fine article gives ideas for thinking broadly about building accessibility. Becoming an accessible church involves far more than installing a wheelchair entrance. It includes ... |
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| May 17, 2010 |
Relentless GraceCaring Math teacher Rich Dixon fell to the ground while hanging Christmas lights one year. The injuries he sustained took away the use of his legs. After a difficult journey through grief and rehabilitation, he wrote a memoir which he describes like this ... |
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| May 17, 2010 |
Attitudes, Not Disabilities, are Biggest HandicapAdvocacy This article in the Edmonton Journal begins with a question from an employer expressing fears about hiring people with disabilities. The author, Sharon Ryan, challenges the stereotypes and promotes the benefits including this one... |
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| May 24, 2010 |
Voices Of Disability: Churches Work To Bring Disabled People Into The FoldAccessibility This article on The Oakland Press website tells the story of several churches in southeastern Michigan that are improving the accessibility of their buildings and programs. |
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| May 24, 2010 |
Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month Resource GuideAccessibility This well-written, idea-packed, brief resource guide provides a wealth of information for congregations to become more inclusive. Although written from a Jewish perspective, nearly all of the ideas can be applied within the context of a Christian congregation as well. Don't miss the section of low-cost and no-cost accommodations for accessibility in your congregation |
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| May 24, 2010 |
Where There Is No Vision, The People PerishAccessibility This executive summary of a 2005 study asked leaders and members of faith communities and faith-based service networks about the relevance of the religious community to people with disabilities. Among the most interesting findings is 100% agreement by respondents that the religious community is relevant in community organizing to include and support persons with disabilities, in empowering of persons with disabilities, and in preparing people in communities to accept persons with disabilities. |
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| June 2, 2010 |
Autism and Children's MinistryChurch Education This webinar, produced by Friendship Ministries and Faith Alive Christian Resources, explores inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sunday School and the ministry of the church. |
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| June 8, 2010 |
Kids' books embrace themes of disabilities, differences and acceptanceAdvocacy In a article about children's books about disability, Lisa Erickson begins, "In the past, finding appropriate books for kids about disabilities has been a challenge. However, in the last several years, writers and readers have embraced the concept of reading about disability." She continues with brief reviews of a number of books. |
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| June 8, 2010 |
People with mental illnesses find help from each otherCaring This article describes the value people find in sharing life and experiences with others who also live with mental illnesses. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
CLC NetworkThe Christian Learning Center (CLC) provides an array of services to individuals who have disabilities and unique gifts, and to their families. Their Church Services Division offers consultation and print resources specific to inclusion of people with disabilities in faith communities. While its origin is in the Christian School community of West Michigan, CLC serves individuals, families, schools and churches around North America. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
National Catholic Partnership on DisabilitiesNCPD is the disability voice of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to fully include people with disabilities in church and society. They offer a newsletter and various information resources as well as presenting Catholic perspectives on disability issues. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Christian Reformed Disability ConcernsDisability Concerns' website contains a variety of resources for worship, caring, accessibility, and awareness to help churches become hospitable, inclusive, and healthy communities that intentionally seek:
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| January 18, 2010 |
National Apostolate for Inclusion MinistriesGetting Started NAfIM is a nonprofit membership organization of persons with and without disabilities working together for the good of the whole Church to realize justice for persons of all abilities in the parish and in religious, social and civic life. They focus their efforts on inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities in the Roman Catholic church, and their resources can be applied to people of many faith groups (perhaps with some adaptation). |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Friendship Ministries/Friendship Ministries CanadaFriendship Ministries/Friendship Ministries Canada is an interdenominational ministry whose mission is to share God's love with people who have cognitive impairments and to enable them to become an active part of God's family. Over 800 Friendship groups use their resources for one on one ministry. Resources are available in Spanish as well at Ministerio Amistad. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Joni and FriendsCaring Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends exists to communicate the gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Pathways to PromiseCaring Pathways to Promise is an interfaith technical assistance and resource center which offers liturgical and educational materials, program models, and networking information to promote a caring ministry with people with mental illnesses and their families. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
The National Organization on DisabilityAccessibility The mission of the National Organization on Disability is to expand the participation and contribution of America's men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
American Association of People with Disabilities Interfaith InitiativeAccessibility The mission of the AAPD Interfaith Initiative is to support people with disabilities and their families as they seek spiritual and religious access, and to bring the powerful and prophetic voice of the faith community to the 21st Century disability agenda. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility GuidelinesAccessibility The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes design requirements for the construction and alteration of facilities in the private and public sectors. These requirements are known as the ADA Accessibility Guidelines or "ADAAG." This technical site from the US Access Board describes architectural guidelines for compliance with the ADA. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Nathaniel's HopeCaring An Orlando-based, non-profit organization that seeks to bring hope to kids with special needs and their families by providing resources and respite care. They also help equip local churches to be involved in special needs ministry. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
The Gray Center for Social Learning and UnderstandingDedicated to individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and those who work alongside them to improve mutual understanding, the Gray Center approaches the social impairment in ASD as a shared impairment. They work to improve social understanding on both sides of the social equation, helping individuals with ASD to communicate and interact more successfully with the people with whom they live and work. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesAdvocacy The AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) is a national organization whose mission is to promote "progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities." For materials specifically related to faith issues see their Religion and Spirituality Division. |
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| January 20, 2010 |
Future Horizons - DVDs, Books, and Conferences on AutismFuture Horizons focuses on materials that offer hope and practical strategies for parents, teachers, therapists, and individuals on the autism spectrum. |
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| January 20, 2010 |
Shalem Mental Health NetworkCaring Shalem offers individual, couple, and family counseling from a Christian perspective and equips and supports communities, including faith communities, to better embrace the needs of people who struggle with emotional distress and/or mental illness. Their dream includes developing services which help to define a new, mutually beneficial relationship between professional mental health programs and community supports, including supports provided by faith communities. |
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| January 20, 2010 |
Faith Alive Christian ResourcesDisability Concerns Faith Alive Christian Resources provides many resources for the inclusion of children, youth, and adults in church life. They also provide a number of their resources in Braille and large print, such as the Psalter Hymnal, adult Bible studies, and the Walk with Me curriculum. These resources make it possible for children, youth, and adults with visual impairments to participate with their peers in church education programs. |
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| February 10, 2010 |
Make Friends with AutismNew Brunswick, NJ - February 04, 2010 /PRNewswire/ - Children's Specialized Hospital, New Jersey's preeminent provider of pediatric rehabilitation services and the largest comprehensive children's rehabilitation system in the country, has created and launched Make Friends with Autism. This brand new multilevel program is the first of its kind anywhere in the country. |
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| May 4, 2010 |
Ministry with the Deaf: DOOR InternationalChurch Education "DOOR International’s vision is to bring God’s Word and biblical Christian fellowship to Deaf communities worldwide." The website is separated for Deaf users and hearing users. Not only does the site give a good introduction to Deaf culture for ministry leadership, DOOR produces materials for Deaf ministry. |
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| May 17, 2010 |
Mental Health First Aid USACaring Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour certification course to help people better understand mental illness and respond to psychiatric emergencies. In addition, it has been proven to reduce stigma and to improve the mental health of those who take this training. |
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| May 17, 2010 |
Mental Health First Aid CanadaCaring Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour certification course to help people better understand mental illness and respond to psychiatric emergencies. In addition, it has been proven to reduce stigma and to improve the mental health of those who take this training. |
