July 2, 2020
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Terry DeYoung Receives Henri Nouwen Award
Disability Concerns Ministry congratulates Terry DeYoung, coordinator of the Disability Concerns ministry for the RCA, on receiving the 2020 Henri Nouwen Award.
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June 23, 2020
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Resources for Disability Week and Disability Sunday 2020
People with disabilities tend to be highly agile because they must navigate physical and social structures that are created by and for people who do not have disabilities.
May 12, 2020
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Understanding Advocacy and Access for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Every church should be a place where everyone belongs and everyone serves, but often people with disabilities are inadvertently overlooked and not able to participate fully in the life of the church.
April 29, 2020
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Like Swimming in a Petri Dish
Crisis planning for COVID-19 to hit, and hit hard, is sobering work. We and congregate settings everywhere stand in need of your faithful prayer.
April 6, 2020
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Advance Directives and 5 Wishes: Now Is the Time to Make Your Wishes Known
A living will (also called an advance directive) identifies the kind of medical care you want or don't want in times of serious illness. If you haven't had those conversations yet, now is the time.
April 6, 2020
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Disability Concerns Resources for COVID-19
Disability Concerns has assembled a list of support services and resources in the wake of COVID-19. We hope this will be helpful if you are caring for people with disabilities in your community.
March 10, 2020
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What It Means to Say "Everybody Belongs"
Pastor Ken Vander Horst of Smithers CRC speaks to the importance of the concept of "Everybody Belongs" and what that looks like in a practical way within your church.
August 13, 2019
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Fading Away!
I have been disabled and mostly house bound for 25 years! I was a type A person before and in some ways, I still am.
July 24, 2019
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Resources for Disability Week 2019
Disability Concerns shares resources to help your congregation mark Disability Awareness Sunday (October 20, 2019 or whenever works best for your church).
June 18, 2019
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Disability Concerns Canada Newsletter - June 2019
There is one article specific to the Canadian context, but the remainder of the pieces are must-reads all over North America.
June 10, 2019
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Leadership by Ministers with Disabilities
What keeps many people with a disability from being considered for a leadership position? I've included a video that raises awareness about how pastoral search teams can discriminate against leaders with a disability.
June 5, 2019
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Videos and Discussion Questions: Let's Talk About Disability
Often we are changed in and by our relationships with people with disabilities and their families. Consider these videos a glimpse into their lives and an invitation to deepen relationships in your congregation and community.
May 30, 2019
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A Dance of Assumptions
Recently a church member asked, “How long have you suffered with your disability?” I immediately replied, “I have lived with my Cerebral Palsy since birth.”
May 21, 2019
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Contacting Churches Part 1: Thinking About the Relationship
In this video Dori Dykstra reflects on how she feels called to be in relationship with others in the Body of Christ and how that both encourages and prepares her to pick up the phone or send an email.
May 16, 2019
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Contacting Churches Part 3: Follow Up
For Regional Disability Advocates, following up with churches is an important part of building and maintaining relationships as you continue supporting churches in being places where everybody belongs and everybody serves!
May 16, 2019
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Contacting Churches Part 2: Making the Call
In this blog Dori Dykstra shares her experience of phoning congregations to speak about the ministry of Disability Concerns. This is a helpful tool especially for Regional Disability Advocates.
April 25, 2019
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No-Cost Options for Welcoming People With Disabilities
At a recent RCA Classis Minnesota meeting there was a discussion about no-cost options for welcoming people with disabilities. Here are some of the strategies they wanted to share.
April 3, 2019
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New Bulletin Insert: Disability Awareness Sunday 2019
Be sure to order printed copies of this insert for Disability Awareness Sunday on October 20, 2019!
February 20, 2019
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Why I Am a Disability Advocate - Kyle Crist
Because he couldn’t get in the door, safely use the restroom, or access the pulpit, Kyle Crist “decided to become a disability advocate out of necessity.” Listen to Kyle share more of his experience as a disability advocate.
February 14, 2019
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Why I Am a Disability Advocate - Cara Milne
While Cara had worked with people with disabilities, disability advocacy wasn’t connected back to her faith until this opportunity came.
February 7, 2019
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Why I Am a Disability Advocate - Beth Odor
Beth shares her experience with Friendship Bible Studies that affirms “when you learn you teach and when you teach you learn.” Listen to more of her story below!
January 30, 2019
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Why I Am a Disability Advocate - Reg Laws
“I’m so happy that, finally, disability concerns [is something] the whole denomination is starting to think about…that’s exciting for me.” Listen to Reg’s own words to hear his delight in this ministry.
January 22, 2019
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Why I am a Disability Advocate - Joanne Van Sant
Rev. Dr. Joanne Van Sant, Church Advocate in Ridgewood, NJ, shares a story of witnessing God's grace when “everything was just right in that moment.”
January 16, 2019
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Why I am a Disability Advocate - Michèle Gyselinck
Michèle Gyselinck, Regional Advocate for Eastern Canada, shares how she became a disability advocate and how her leadership shapes her and her community!
January 1, 2019
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Universal Design: It's for Everybody!
Rather than creating special accommodations/requirements for a minority population, universal design reflects spaces and programs that can be accessed by everybody.