It is a privilege to connect with you. I started this website because of many requests for information about disability programs. I share information from my degree in Christian education and years of experience in both large and small Methodist churches. As a disabled person and advocate, I’ve written materials to help others with similar … Continue reading Home
Information for church leaders who are working with parents of special needs children. It’s Important to Minister to Parents Supporting parents and other caregivers of persons with special needs is one of the most important ministries a church can provide. If you are just beginning your program, be aware that the parents/caregivers already present in … Continue reading Parent Information
Your church can enable persons with special needs to feel and express their joy found in God. Explore their personal and social issues and discover ways they grow spiritually. Explore New Worlds of Worship How do you show your adoration, devotion, love and respect for God? Sing, shout, wave a palm branch, read a … Continue reading Worship Information
USE THIS INFORMATION TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR MINISTRY OR HELP YOU GET IT UP AND RUNNING. ON YOUR KNEES AND COUNTING After all the surveys and fact-finding and after the accessibility audit has revealed 39 infractions of the ADA, the time comes for recruiting leaders. Prospects for the grand design you have in mind may not … Continue reading Information for Leaders
Excitement hangs in the air when a person in a wheelchair finds a church that has ramps, door openers, pew cuts and welcoming persons. Excitement stirs inside a person with cognitive challenges when a church has a mentor program and socialization opportunities. If a persons witnesses sign language or worship leaders with impairments, they feel … Continue reading Church Environment
HOW MUCH WILL Accessibility COST IN MONEY? The best beginning in making your church accessible is free as you work at changing attitudes and discovering needs. Meanwhile, you can discover resources, work on plans for physical accessibility and prepare a budget. When presenting the budget, be sure to tell the group why you need as … Continue reading Money Priority
This accessibility audit will investigate issues in attitude, architecture, chemical sensitivity and communication as well as fellowship, pastoral and worship possibilities. Part I of “How to Conduct an Accessibility Audit” will cover organization to get the job done. Part II, an Accessibility Mini-Audit, will provide general check lists for you to follow to discover how … Continue reading How to Conduct an Accessibility Audit
Vladimar and his dog Frank highlight the many gifts and costs of disabilities, and show that they think with their hearts. Vladimar and Frank Once there was a man named Vladimar who wore heavy brown-rimmed glasses with shaded lens. His eyesight was so poor he qualified for a seeing-eye dog. The dog, named Frank, had … Continue reading Story for Sermon or Group
Hope in the midst of change and grief can turn a life to a new direction. There are times when you just have to reinvent yourself. This book is about building strength and hope in the midst of fast-moving, gut-wrenching life experiences that bring us up short and leave us gasping. It’s about making decisions … Continue reading HARPS IN THE WILLOWS, STRENGTHS FOR REINVENTING LIFE.
Wednesday, May 26 Circle of Friends, our special group where everyone is a star, splashed into a big beautiful pool for the last social event before going on summer vacation. A few loafers sat in the hot tub. A few persons played cards, some threw balls, many just hung out to visit, some splashed water … Continue reading Naomi’s Blog