Programs
Spiritual Support & Services
Upcoming Events
May webinar
May 25, 2023 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Bridging the Purpose Gap: Disability and Vocation
Bridging the Purpose Gap: Disability and Vocation
Many people with disabilities experience dissonance between their internal convictions about who they are and what they are called to do and their external conditions which includes their physical environment, power structures, and the way that ableism orients the expectations of others. In this webinar, Prof. Ben Conner will describe the purpose gap as it applies to disabled persons and Daniel Harris will offer an example of how external resistance to his internal sense of calling or vocation has been both a cause of lament and a source of creativity.
What: Bridging the Purpose Gap: Disability and Vocation-Webinar
When: May 25, 2023 2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Benjamin Conner, Ph.D. & Daniel Aaron Harris, D.Min.
Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Building Belonging
Downloadable PDF
PROGRAM GOAL:
Faith Communities and their congregations will enter into an intentional and committed partnership with Stone Belt Arc and with one another to address barriers of access and inclusion for people with disabilities. Our hope is to work together to assess, reflect, plan and implement steps toward BELONGING.
Program Outline:
- Initial Two Year Commitment
- Congregation Assessments and Planning
- Formation of a Disability Inclusion Committee
- Individualized Congregation Consultation
- Number of Congregations Per “Class”: 3-5
- Building Belonging: Disability Inclusion Cohort
- Participation in Hand in Hand
- Continued Commitment, Partnership, and Involvement:
- Access to webinars and community trainings
- Continued involvement with Building Belonging: Disability Inclusion Cohort bi-monthly meetings
- Congregation’s logo will be advertised on Stone Belt’s website as a committed partner.
- Seal of commitment will be given to each congregation to display on their own website (will have number of years in the program displayed on seal)
- Continued participation in Hand in Hand
PROGRAM ELEMENTS DESCRIPTIONS
Congregation Assessments
We will primarily be using the Stone Belt’s Indicators of Belonging to do the initial congregational assessment, reflection, and planning. Other congregational assessment tools can be used based on primary goals of the congregation.
Disability Inclusion Committee
Each congregation will be asked to create a Disability Inclusion Committee of some sort. This committee must include
- at least one person with a disability and/or parent of person with a disability
- a clergy (or equivalent)
- one or more other interested congregants
Individualized Congregation Consultation
Each congregation have about 2 hours a month available to them for individualized consultation from the Spiritual Support Coordinator. This may include in-person or virtual trainings, conversations, and coaching:
- Individualized Congregation Disability Inclusion Plan
- Congregation specific training
- Advisor and resource provider
- Additional consultation to meet goals
Building Belonging: Disability Inclusion Cohort
At least one representative from each congregation will meet bi-monthly altogether to share ideas, offer suggestions, share struggles/successes, and training opportunities.
Hand in Hand
The congregation will participate in one of the following ways in support of the Hand in Hand program:
- Individual: 3 individuals will donate food and each of their homes will be a pick up location
Webinars (Archived)
Worldviews within the Disability Community & Culture (YouTube video)
Stories of Belonging (YouTube video)
Faith & Disability: Moving from Exclusion to Embrace (YouTube video)
What is Ableism? How Is This Evident In Faith Communities Today?
Welcoming People with Disabilities Across the Lifespan: They want what we want, They need what we need, They are we! (You Tube video)
Buidling Belonging & Inclusion in your congregation (You Tube video)
Support During Times of Grief & Loss (You Tube video)
Building Relationships through Mutual Connection with Non-Speaking Individuals
Creative Strategies for Inclusive Digital Worship
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Power of Spirituality in Inclusive, Quality Supports
Resources
Christian
Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality
Author: Thomas E. Reynolds
Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing the Gospels and in the Church
Author: Bethany McKinney
The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God
Author: Amos Young
Islam
- EnabledMuslim, a project of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), is an online community for spiritual and practical support for Muslims with disabilities and their loved ones. http://www.enabledmuslim.org/
- MUHSEN (Watch video) provides a range of accessible services, education, resources, and programs to encourage inclusion in your masjid. https://muhsen.org/
Jewish
- Article: http://www.
enabledmuslim.org/wp-content/ uploads/2014/09/Promoting- Inclusiveness-for-People-with- Disabilities.pdf - Gateways provide free resources for Shabbat and Jewish holidays on their website. http://www.jgateways.org/
Resources - Jewish Disability Awareness Month Guide: https://
inclusioninnovations.com/wp- content/uploads/2020/12/Final- JDAM-2021-Guide-12.14.20.pdf - How Inclusive Are We Congregation Assessment: https://cdn.
fedweb.org/fed-2/2/Synagogue% 2520Self-Assessment%2520-% 2520Revised.pdf
Articles
ARTICLES
- Presbyterian Today (Jan. 18, 2021)
Is your digital ministry leaving out people with disabilities?
How to welcome all into the 21st century
-Sarah McKenney
Multi-faith Books
- From Longing to Belonging—A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community by Shelly Christensen
- Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism
by Barbara J Newman - Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids with Special Needs by Katie Wetherbee
- Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations by Erik W Carter
Ready to Use Forms/Tools
- Congregational Outreach Survey
PDF (downloadable) - Indicators of Belonging
PDF (downloadable)
About Us
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Stone Belt Arc is the local chapter of The Arc in Monroe County. The Arc is committed to all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities realizing their goals of living, learning, working and fully participating in the community. The combined strength of local Arcs, The Arc of Indiana and The Arc of the United States makes The Arc the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Learn more about The Arc by visiting www.arcind.org and www.thearc.org.