Author: aaiddreligion

This is a last minute reminder to everyone of the upcoming conference and some great activities form the Religion and Spirituality division that you won’t want to miss.

Annual Conference

The conference will be held this year in St. Paul, Minnesota June 6-9, 2011. The conference is a great opportunity for learning, networking and recharging. Please don’t miss this event- if you haven’t registered yet, please do so today!

Annual Conference Website

Continue reading “2011 Religion and Spirituality Division Conference Activities” →

In meeting with people from faith groups and denominations, I am often asked about model programs that might be closest to the “state of the art” in terms of including persons with various disabilities. Recent research has also caused me to ask that question, particularly from an interfaith perspective. What are best practices in the Muslim community, for example, and where might those best practices be observed? Where is the “state of the art” best evidenced among Mormons? Where can I go to view model programs within the Jewish community?
Continue reading “Model Programs From Various Faith Traditions (May Message from the President)” →

The Chaplain Certification process is under review. If you are interested in participating in this committee please contact any of the existing members: Dave Morstad at David.Morstad@mailblc.org, Sr. Gabrielle Kowalski at gkowalski@stritch.edu, or Anne Masters at masteran@rcan.org.
Continue reading “AAIDD Religion and Spirituality Division Chaplain Certification Process is Under Review” →

Like the people of River City, IA in the O. Meredith Wilson musical “The Music Man” the modern day version of the Wells Fargo wagon dropped off a package at my home just before Chanukah. The package was from my dear friend, Sandy Block, a lay leader and co-chair of the Celebration Company, a program of the Alexander Institute which was created to serve people with disabilities in the Houston Jewish Community. The Alexander Institute is part of a growing disability services department at Jewish Family Service of Houston TX.

Continue reading “Modern Day Wells Fargo Wagon Signals Community Attention” →

In considering why someone would become a part of a faith group, there are minimally two reasons. First, someone might choose to grow in their faith, knowledge, and understanding of faith as interpreted by the group of their choosing. This might involve attending sessions where sacred writings are read and discussed, studying materials oneself, or acts of service to the larger group. Second, one might choose to simply attend a faith group meeting because of the social benefits of such participation. Their desire might be to make friends and experience community integration.
Continue reading “Faith Groups, Friendships and Integration (April Message from the President)” →

This summer marks the 135th Annual Meeting of AAIDD. The theme of this year’s conference is, “Inclusive Communities: Pathways to Realizing that Vision.” We in the Religion and Spirituality Division, have a great deal to offer on this topic. However, we need you to come, interact with presenters and share the message of the importance of faith group participation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as an excellent means of facilitating real inclusion into the community.
Continue reading “March Message from the President” →

As an AAIDD member, you may have already heard the Wolf Wolfensberger died on Sunday, February 26. For me, it feels somewhat like a pillar who has been part and parcel of my whole career has been lost. If you ever had the opportunity to be in one of his workshops or presentations, you would have never forgotten it. You might not like it. One would tend to get overwhelmed by detail and information. But he made you think.
Continue reading “Reflections on Wolf Wolfensberger” →

Expressing Faith in Jesus
Church Membership for People with Cognitive Impairments

by Ronald C. Vredeveld (recipient of the Henri Nouwen Award)
 
This practical book and the companion resource kit provide tools for guiding people with intellectual disabilities through the process of baptism, confirmation, or profession of faith. Expressing Faith in Jesus also encourages churches to involve members in the whole life of the church and to provide opportunities for members to use their gifts.
 
For more info on the book go to http://www.faithaliveresources.org/Expressing-Faith-in-Jesus

For more info on the resource kit go to http://www.faithaliveresources.org/Expressing-Faith-in-Jesus-Resource-Kit

Special offer: 20% off
Now through February 28.

Continue reading “Special Offer on Expressing Faith in Jesus” →

Hello, I am very interested in the opportunity to work proactively with the division to advance the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities regarding their spirituality and desire to participate in a faith community of their choosing. I am the director of the department for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities for the Newark Archdiocese (Catholic Church).
Continue reading “Introducing Anne Masters, Vice President of the Religion & Spirituality Division” →

My name is Mark Pinsky. I'm a longtime religion journalist and author. As some of you may have heard, the Alban Institute of Northern Virginia has contracted with me to produce a book based on the stories of faith communities and people with disabilities, their families, friends and caregivers.

Some of you may also have seen my column outlining the book in the Wall Street Journal:
Making God More Accessible

Continue reading “Request for Personal Experiences on Faith Communities and People with Disabilities” →