This blog is one component of a larger suite of resources offered by the Interfaith Disability Connection at the Bobby Dodd Institute. Below find a synopsis of the program, its purpose and the tools it offers.

———————————————————————————————

Bobby Dodd Institute Offers Interfaith Disability Connection

Nonprofit Program Bridges Gap Between People with Disabilities and Atlanta Faith-Based Communities

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Do people with disabilities have full access to religious service and worship? Unfortunately, no. Although 84 percent of people with a disability state religious faith is important to them, less than half attend a religious service at least once a month.

In an effort to help faith communities create physically and socially accessible environments for people with disabilities, the Bobby Dodd Institute, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, has created the Interfaith Disability Connection (IDC). The one-of-a-kind program works to connect the disability community and congregational leadership to promote understanding and alleviate the unique challenges faced by this group, especially accessibility and inclusivity.

â??Faith serves as a vital motivation and comfort to people of all backgrounds,â? said Wayne McMillan, president and CEO of the Bobby Dodd Institute. â??Unfortunately, people with disabilities face certain physical and social barriers to religious service and worship. Through Interfaith Disability Connection, we hope to unite Americaâ??s largest minority group with their chosen faith community, establishing a culture of inclusion and support that is welcoming to people of all walks of life.â?

The IDC Solution
The IDC offers congregational leaders, people with disabilities, students and families/caregivers help in building deeper faith-based relationships and promoting understanding among diverse groups. Key components of the program include an interactive online resource center, one-on-one expert consultations and a yearly summit featuring experienced guest speakers. In addition to an ongoing interactive blog, the IDC site features tools including:

Resources for Congregational Leaders

• Accessibility Checklist â?? Offers step-by-step guidelines to help create an inviting and accommodating environment for attendees with disabilities
• Inclusion Committee How-Tos â?? Encourages organizations to commission a leadership group dedicated to monitoring the current state of affairs of members with disabilities, assessing necessary adjustments and promoting change
• Theological Forum â?? Features an online library of thought-provoking interpretations of scripture within the context of meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities
• Ask-An-Expert â?? Allows congregational leaders to ask leading experts specific questions concerning the disability community and address ways to create a more welcoming worship environment

Resources for People with Disabilities, Families and Caregivers

• WorshipLink â?? Provides an in-depth, searchable online database of religious centers and places of worship outlining available accommodations and services
• Advocacy Outreach â?? Outlines proposed public policy surrounding the disability community, encouraging legislative change
• Support Groups â?? Provides people with disabilities, families and caregivers with advice and input on forming social and emotional support networks

Become a Member Today
Are you interested in joining the IDC? Visit www.interfaithdisability.org to sign up as a friend of the IDC and gain access to tips and resources available in the nonmember portion of the Web site. Annual membership dues will be required for unlimited access to the site and its full suite of resources.

 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta has done much work to become more inclusive of people with disabilities. The story of UUCA begins with the presence of one extraordinary young man and it continues today with a determination to continue on the journey toward full-inclusion of people with disabilities and their families.

Click here to read the success story.

Included with the story is a link to the the letter that the children of UUCA sent to the congregation’s Board of Directors about obstacles for children with disabilities who wanted to attend religious education. Read it and consider way the children in your congregation might be included in ability awareness.

One of the commitments of the Interfaith Disability Connection is that we will help connect inclusive congregations to faith communities who are seeking to be more inclusive of people with disabilities and their families. We believe that no congregation should make the journey toward more accessible, inclusive community alone. We want to provide you with companions as you continue this groundbreaking work.

One of the ways we match communities at different places in the journey is through the Ask An Expert function on the IDC Web Site. This function allows a congregational leader to ask a question that is then answered by an “expert” with experience in that particular area of including people with disabilities and their families.

The latest question in the Ask and Expert section comes from a United Methodist clergy person who is looking for resources for including children who have developmental (Autism, Down Syndrome, etc.) in religious education. The answer to the question comes from a Unitarian Universalist religious educator who has been successful implementing a “buddy system” in her congregation.

Please go and read the question here and the answer here. The answer references some excellent resources for building inclusive educational environments.

I thought it might be helpful to post this to the blog because I know this issue is a present concern for educators in many congregations.

Please consider submitting a question to Ask An Expert and if your congregation has done good work consider contacting IDC to tell your story.

They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Well, would you like to begin to imitate a congregation that welcomes people with disabilities and their families? The IDC web site features a series of stories that tell wonderfully uplifting tales about congregations and families with disabilities that have already made connections that have made participation and membership possible.

I encourage you to visit the success stories page to be uplifted and inspired to flatter one of the congregations that is profiled there by getting ideas to strengthen your congregations outreach and inclusion of people with disabilities and their families.

Do you know a story about a person with a disability who is making a contribution in their faith community and finding support for their journey? Consider sharing that story with us so that we can offer more wonderful stories about the way inclusion of people with disabilities is changing our congregations, communities and the world.

The Interfaith Disability Connection web site offers many features designed to help people with disabilities get connected to their congregation of choice. I intend to highlight features from time to time in order that readers might understand the wonderful diversity of resource that the IDC Team has assembled.

Worshiplink is search able database of faith communities that are already working to welcome people with disabilities. Go and have a look.

Are you a person with a disability or a family member who is looking for a welcoming Congregation? Worshiplink is a good place to start. Are you a congregational leader who thinks your community should be a part of this database? Contact IDC and we would be happy to tell you how. Are you a congregational leader who thinks your house of worship is already a part of such a list of hospitable faith communities? Go and check your listing to make sure it is up-to-date. Please let us know if we need to update your information.

Help the Interfaith Disability Connection connect people with disabilities to welcoming houses of worship. Use WorshipLink!

IDC wants to provide the most comprehensive set of resources available to help bridge the gap that exists between people with disabilities and congregations. The program also seeks to raise the level of conversation about religion and disability. This is important work we do together and we hope that this forum can be a source of information, inspiration and support.

Some of the items readers may find on the blog include:

• Announcements of community events of interest to clergy, people with disabilities and their families
• Discussion of relevant news items that affect people with disabilities
• Stories of congregations that are working to welcome people with disabilities
• Presentation of resources that are being utilized to educate and engage people with disabilities

We look forward to your participation in the dialog. Let the conversation continue!