The Religion & Spirituality Division of the AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, is an interfaith, interdisciplinary association of professional ordained and lay people who journey with persons with developmental disabilities and their families.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to share resources that foster opportunities for spiritual growth for persons with developmental disabilities while respecting their religious identity.
Our Goals:
- To foster inclusion of persons with developmental disabilities and the sharing of their gifts and graces in the total life of the congregation and community.
- To provide a forum for dialogue to creatively foster religious education programs that are life long and age appropriate.
- To work cooperatively with all divisions of the AAIDD to enhance the spiritual supports available to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.
Why?
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have spiritual and religious interests, needs, and gifts, but too often do not have the opportunity to express those parts of their lives. Agencies may overlook the importance of spirituality for their consumers, or not be able to help them be involved in religious congregations and other spiritual activities. Congregations of many religions often fail to welcome and include people with disabilities in their worship services and programs. It is the responsibility of both support agencies and religious organizations to work together to help provide the opportunity for spiritual and religious expression, depending on the choice of each person.
Leadership
President
- Deborah Fisher, PsyD
Deborah Fisher Consulting
President-Elect
- Keith Dow, PhD
Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life, Christian Horizons.
Past Presidents:
- David Morstad, MEd, FAAIDD
Writer and Speaker, LargerTable Resources - Sarah Hall, PhD, FAAIDD
Research Associate, Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of Minnesota - Rev. Dr. Neil Cudney
Director of Organizational and Spiritual Life, Christian Horizons - Anne Masters, PhD, FAAIDD
Director of Pastoral Ministriy with Persons with Disablities, Archdiocese of Newark - Shelly Christensen, FAAIDD
Co-founder of Inclusion Innovations and Jewish Disability Awareness Month - Rev. Bill Gaventa, FAAIDD
Director of the Summer Institue on Theology and Disability, previously Director of Community and Congregational Supports, the Boggs Center
AAIDD Religion & Spirituality Network 