Links for Religion and Disability
Pathways to Promise
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 illness and their families. These resources are used by people at all levels of faith group structures from local congregations to regional and national staff.National Family Caregivers Association
NFCA addresses the needs and issues of long-term caregivers of family members with disabilities.The Alban Institute
This non-profit membership organization provides resources (books & bibliographies) and services (in the form of negotiations and advice) to congregations & their leaders.The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
The Boggs Center, in New Brunswick , NJ , conducts community service activities for or with individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, professionals, paraprofessionals, students, and volunteers. One of their many projects is "Inclusive Ministries", which encourages congregations to include and support members with disabilities. Its Project Director, Bill Gaventa, also participates frequently in N.O.D. Religion and Disability initiatives.The Center for Religion and Disability
The Center for Religion and Disability, Inc. is an educational and research organization. The Center's mission is to facilitate systemic change within faith communities that benefits people with disabilities and their families. Some activities include enabling graduate schools of theology and congregations to more effectively include people with disabilities and provide resources and educational development about ministry and disability.National Catholic Partnership on Disability
NCPD was established in 1982 to welcome over fourteen million Catholics with disabilities to participate in the celebrations and obligations of their faith, and advocates for their inclusion "within the total fabric of society." A resource service provides relevant publications such as guides to creating access and awareness, addressing assisted suicide and euthanasia, complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other timely issues.National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry
NAfIM promotes the full inclusion of people with mental retardation in the Catholic Church. Its mission is to provide a forum for those in ministry with persons with mental retardation.DISC! Disability Concerns
(from the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church ) This website offers interfaith resource lists, articles and information about congregational access for people with disabilities.Joni and Friends
This organization, established by disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada, encourages Christian ministry in the disability community and provides practical suggestions on ways to serve people with disabilites.Christian Council for People with Disabilities
CCPD advocates an evangelical perspective regarding people with disabilities and their part in God's world. The site offers a survey to help determine the level of accessibility of a congregation -- a good introduction to a congregation just starting to identify barriers that must be removed for greater accessibility.Mental Health Ministries
The organization promotes greater acceptance and understanding of mental illness in congregations and faith communities. It helps to foster ministry to and with people with mental illness and their families. Mental Health Ministries has also produced a video, "Creating Caring Congregations" that was named a finalist in the 24th Annual Telly Awards in the Religious Program category. The Telly Award demonstrates that a video has met a high standard of excellence.More Than Just Ramps
This website addresses "an inclusive understanding of people with disabilities in the church". Take their poll about your church's ADA accessibility compliance.Atlanta Alliance of Developmental Disabilities
The Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities' mission is to increase opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to actively participate in and receive support from the faith community as well as other groups.The Inclusion Network
The Inclusion Network is a non-profit organization which promotes inclusion of people with disabilities in the greater Cincinnati area. It offers programs such as technical services to groups engaged in inclusion efforts, a quarterly newsletter and a speakers bureau. Its vision is a community that recognizes and supports people with and without disabilities participating together in all aspects of community life.The American Association for Mental Retardation Religion & Spirituality Division
The Religion and Spirituality Division of the AAMR is an interfaith network of members who share resources and collaborate with other organizations involved in religious services with people with disabilities and their families. The organization works with all divisions of the AAMR to enhance supports to people with developmental disabilities.The Anabaptist Disabilities Network, Inc. (ADNet)
The Anabaptist Disabilities Network mission is to provide encouragement and resources to congregations, families and people with disabilities as they identify and embrace their God-given gifts and abilities in ministry to each other and to the larger community.Rest Ministries
Rest Ministries, Inc. serves people who live with chronic illness or pain. It provides spiritual, emotional and practical support. It also helps congregations to minister to and with people with chronic illness or their caregivers.Virginia Interfaith Committee on Mental Illness Ministries Its mission is to reduce the stigma of mental illness and create a caring environment in the faith community. It also offers courses and resources to help congregations and people with disabilities.
Faithability
Faithability is an online effort to bring together people, resources and ideas in the area of spirituality, religion and disability.
