Everybody belongs. Everybody serves.
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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.
I know a bare minimum of sign language so I sat, unable to understand the near silent conversations around me. I could have asked for a translator or requested that people go a little slower. But I was reluctant to do this. Why should I impose my single handicap on an entire group of people? Is this how a deaf person feels?
Athlete, actor, model, and bilateral below-the-knee amputee, Aimee Mullins reflects on language and her own experiences in this lecture. For those of us who believe in the power of the Word, we need to take seriously the power of our words as well.
We would never say “It’s your kid, do the appendectomy at home.” Or “Your parents will have to deal with that gunshot wound.” But this is the system of care we have in place for people with severe disabilities. Why?
The 5 Stages is a simple tool for describing the journey of disability attitudes experienced by people in relationship with others who have disabilities.
In the May/June 2014 issue of the UMC's mission magazine the articles include embracing deaf ministry, ministering with a disability, and the value of doing an accessibility audit.
The ADA Legacy Project website is designed to provide news, updates, scheduled events, and information on partners who are preserving disability history of the Americans with Disabilities Act, celebrating its milestones, and educating the public and future generations of advocates.
Using the r-word (retard/retarded) about another person or about doing something foolish slams fellow image-bearers of God. Take a pledge at this website to promise not to use it and to encourage others to stop using it. Also, check out the new PSA produced by r-word.org.
A moving tribute to the people who helped to bring about the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act 20 years ago written by a woman who uses a wheelchair and who has a son who has intellectual disabilities.
The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our communities. This coalition works in the US for "complete streets."
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.
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."
NCPD 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.
The Five Stages is a continuum of disability attitudes created by Dan Vander Plaats of Elim Christian Services. In this video, Dan briefly describes the continuum and how one can present this continuum.
Church Disability Advocates seek to promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the local congregation so that everybody belongs and everybody serves. They can make significant progress in this work if church leadership supports them.
This webinar teaches ways to recognize that every individual, including persons with disabilities, has been created with gifts that are needed by the body of Christ.
This 5-minute video interviews people with Down syndrome from 39 countries, looking at their enjoyment of full and equal rights and the role of their families.
What makes a human life worth living? Productivity – how much someone is accomplishing in life? The value of every single human comes from what she/he is: a creature made in God's image.
A synopsis of what Disability Concerns is all about.
Our Mission is to share God’s love with people who have intellectual disability and to enable them to become an active part of God’s family.
Check out this great little booklet on how to include and welcome people with developmental disabilities, together with their families. Written by Courtney Taylor, Erik W. Carter and others.
A social scientist, Erik Carter started his keynote address at the 2014 Summer Institute on Disability and Theology by saying he would be "preaching from Numbers." With data, he established the opportunity congregations and other communities of faith have to "welcome, receive, and be hospitable" every day of the week.
A bulletin insert addressing the needs of the youth, living with disabilities and church inclusion.
This revised edition and brand new resource kit guides Friendship leaders/mentors, elders, pastors, and families as they help persons with cognitive impairments prepare to express their faith and become full members of a faith community.
A study on the needs of families who live with disabilities and their desires for church.