Everybody belongs. Everybody serves.
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Michael
Here you'll find resources posted by individuals, churches, and ministries. Add comments, give a 'thumbs up', or post your own. Can't find something? Use the chat box to let us know.
Join us on April 25 in Kitchener, ON as we navigate the emotional landscape of caregivers and identify practical ways to support them.
Many people take medications for pain, for rheumatoid arthritis, for seizures, and for other reasons. In this issue, authors describe the role of medication in their lives and its impact on their faith in God.
Dr. Jay Dolmage is a professor at the University of Waterloo. Recently he spoke on Academic Ableism at Western Theological Seminary. He has shared many great resources with us in this article.
Looking to grow your church? Likely, you have people living close by who would love to get involved.
For Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct 6-12) we encourage your church to develop greater awareness of the one in five people among us who have mental health issues and to consider ways to minister with them.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing—Authors who are hard of hearing or live with family members with hearing loss describe personal challenges and how hearing loss impacts their experience in the church.
From the title to the final, frightening story with which the book concludes, Shar Boerema clings to hope in God and God’s faithful plan for the lives of everyone she loves.
Owen Wigger and his family sent a letter to his first-grade teacher and classmates. Because he does not speak, this letter will help pave the way for their relationships with him.
Disability Concerns shares resources to help your congregation mark Disability Awareness Sunday (October 20, 2019 or whenever works best for your church).
There is one article specific to the Canadian context, but the remainder of the pieces are must-reads all over North America.
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.
Topics include children and youth with disabilities, mental health issues, ways of showing welcome that go beyond physical accessibility, and more. Here they are in one post for your convenience.
La enfermedad mental y la práctica espiritual: Los autores describen de qué manera la enfermedad mental de un ser querido o la suya propia han formado su fe y practica espiritual en la que se entrecruzan los ritmos del bienestar mental, la vida devocional y el discipulado personal.
Down syndrome—Authors describe some of the joys and challenges they and their church have experienced in loving and living with someone with Down syndrome.
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.
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!
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.
For Disability Week this year (October 13 through 20), we are highlighting the value and importance of disability advocates.
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.
Whenever we set up church, we need to have on hand a few large print bulletins, song sheets, outlines, scripture portions, etc., along with the standard 12-point font copies. But that is not the limit.
Be sure to order printed copies of this insert for Disability Awareness Sunday on October 20, 2019!
Here's a list of best practices describing how churches can make connections with local community mental health services.
Mental Health and Spiritual Practice—Authors describe how their own or a loved one’s mental illness has shaped their faith and spiritual practice where the rhythms of mental wellness, devotional life, and personal discipleship intersect.
One Sunday Marlene and her friend Zach led the welcome time at their church. Zach lives with Down syndrome, and his speech can be hard to understand, so they found a creative way to help him share his gift of welcome!
Disability Concerns has some resources available in Braille that we'll send anywhere for the cost of shipping.