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Disability Ministries

Listed below is a bibliography and additional information and links on becoming involved and advancing your ministry to those with special needs. *The resources and links listed are suggested as sources of further exploration. They do not necessarily imply endorsement.

Highlighted from the Persons with Special Needs Bibliography

Bibliography

Disability Ministries (pdf)

Resources Available 

• Covenant Resolution on Concern for People with Disabilities (1997)
• Practical Teaching Methods for Bringing the Gospel to Special Needs Students, by Linda Kay Zession - produced by the Department of Christian Formation and available for $7.95 through the online Covenant Bookstore. Order your copy now!
• Disability Ministries Network - see what other churches are doing in the field of Disability Ministries and contact them to jump start your own ministry.   

For a complete listing of Covenant produced resources available to order, click here!

Other Sources | Websites

American Sign Language Educational Community: www.aslpro.com - This site's mission is to serve the needs of the American Sign Language (ASL) Educational Community.  They strive to provide free, easy to use reference and learning tools to enhance in-classroom learning for ASL Educators .  Featured are over 1,200 interdenominational signs and a quiz section to assist in testing knowledge of religious signs.  Tools and suggestions provided for games and special programs.

Bethesda National Christian Resource Center: www.blhs.org/resources/ncrc.asp - NCRC is a service which provides resources worldwide to families of people with developmental disabilities, pastors, volunteers, teachers and professionals.  Resources and educational materials, staff development resources, special religious education materials, and more.  One section of their web site includes short devotionals for parents of special needs children.  They also produce confirmation curriculum based on Luther’s Small Catechism for persons with mental disabilities. 

Center for Spirituality and Disability: 422 W. School House Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19144, (215)842-9627 - Individuals, clergy and congregations can contact the Center for Spirituality and Disability for information on disabilities and disability-related agencies and organizations.  The center advocates the needs of the disabled.  It works with congregations on eliminating architectural and attitudinal barriers to access, staff training, and support for the families and friends of the disabled.

Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped (CCFH): www.ccfh.org - produces materials that will assist churches in starting disability ministries

Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities (CCPD):  www.ccpd.org - Disability ministry is a focus of the workshops, conferences, and publications sponsored by the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities.  They also produce a quarterly newsletter.

Covenant Enabling Residences - affiliated with Covenant Ministries of Benevolence

Friendship Ministries: www.friendship.org - Friendship Ministries is a not-for-profit organization that exists to help churches and organizations around the world share God’s love with people who have mental impairments.

Large-Print Ministry: accessible via e-mail at largeprinthelp(at)aol.com - Offers The LARGE-PRINT Book of Common Prayer CD and the Prayers & Psalms for Today CD.  The CD can be used to help prepare large-print worship materials for those who cannot read the print in pew edition of the BCP.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY): www.nichcy.org - NICHCY is a national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals.  They now operate the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.  Materials are available in English and Spanish.

National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) : www.nod.org - The National Organization on Disability’s interfaith Religion and Disability Program encourages congregations, seminaries, and judicatories to remove obstacles to worship and full congregational participation.  N.O.D. has published three interfaith guides: That All May Worship, Loving Justice, and From Barriers to Bridges.