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Disability
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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.
We often think about accessibility in terms of buildings, but website design can enhance or detract from usefulness too. This evaluator helps webmasters discern what they are doing well and what needs to be improved.
Lighthouse International has produced guidelines for print, electronic, and web communication that will help anyone who wants to make their church resources more useful.
RoboBraille is a free, non-commercial provider of document conversions for accessibility.
The Chicago Community Trust has released Renewing the Commitment: An ADA Compliance Guide for Nonprofits, a free online publication, intended to assist nonprofits, including churches, in understanding the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and developing their own plans for compliance.
Kathie Snow's website has a host of great resources. Don't miss the newsletter sign-up, her articles on people-first language, and that list at the bottom of her homepage.
According to the website, "The AgrAbility Project was created to assist people with disabilities employed in agriculture."
Knowbility's mission is to ensure barrier-free I.T.—supporting the independence of people with disabilities by promoting the use and improving the availability of accessible information technology.
This fine article gives ideas for thinking broadly about building accessibility. Becoming an accessible church involves far more than installing a wheelchair entrance.
This Guide outlines a step-by-step process for making your place of worship accessible to people with disabilities. Although some specifics may not apply, the principles outlined in this guide are useful no matter which province (or state) you live in.
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.
In this article, Heather Moffitt shares how taking her son with special needs to Sunday services taught her how to be broken in church.
Steve Laman, a man in his late thirties, has lived with cerebral palsy since birth. My Grace is Sufficient is his second book of devotionals published by Words of Hope.
Many people assume that the healing miracles described in Scripture suggest that disability is a problem to be eradicated. Coming out of the Reformed churches in South Africa, these Bible studies take a fresh approach to the healing miracles.
This edition of the journal Lifelong Faith: the Theory and Practice of Lifelong Faith Formation presents theological and theoretical reflections on faith formation with people with special needs, as well as practical suggestions for ministry and learning.
Lucas, who has cerebral palsy, cannot walk, nor can he articulate words so that others can understand. His involvement in a small Pentecostal African American Church in the Mississippi Delta has been chronicled in a photographic essay.
As autism becomes better understood, people are waking up to their positive qualities. Lisa Jo Rudy wrote this top ten list with that in mind.
Future Horizons focuses on materials that offer hope and practical strategies for parents, teachers, therapists, and individuals on the autism spectrum.
This 2-page guide with the heavy title, "Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD]: Supportive Strategies for Crisis Prevention," presents a positive strategy and practical ideas for teachers and applies easily to including kids with ASD in Sunday School, GEMS, Cadets, youth group and other church activities.
According to this website's self-description, "American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most common language used in the United States behind English and Spanish and continues to be one of the fastest growing languages of study in the U.S.
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.
"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.
The Christian Learning Center (CLC) provides an array of services to individuals who have disabilities and unique gifts, and to their families.
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.