RESOURCES:
FOR CATECHETICAL LEADERS
Catechists for All Children by Dr. Joseph White and Ana Arista White, offers insights and methods for accommodating unique emotional and behavioral needs in the classroom. Available from Our Sunday Visitor at 1-800-348-2440 or www.osv.com
Different gifts, but the Same Spirit are lesson plans for youth age 8 to 18 about the gifts received when everyone is included. Download the lesson plans here www.inclusioninworship.org/open_educators.php
Kennedy Curriculum is the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Program to improve Catholic Religious Education for Children and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. The curriculum is listed in their catalog, but is not currently on their website. Available in English or Spanish from Silver Burdett Ginn Religion at 1-877-275-4725 or www.RCLBenziger.com
My First Eucharist by the National Catholic Office for the Deaf is a signed and closed captioned Sacramental preparation program for Deaf Children. Available at www.ncod.org. or 1-301-577-1684voice/fax or 1-301-577-4184 (tty) or e-mail: cwild@ncod.org
Sacraments: Gifts for All uses Scripture stories and pictures with minimum wording to illustrate the heart of Christ’s message. The Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators (NICE) as part of the University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives serve as a support network and resource by providing conferences, DVD and print resources, consultations, workshops and networking opportunities on the national and local level. Visit http://ipi.udayton.edu/nice_books.html to preview and order.
The Child with Autism Learns the Faith by Kathy Labosh offers techniques to teach children with autism and ready-to-go bible lesson plans from the Garden of Eden to the Parting of the Red Sea with supplementary sessions for the parents. Available at www.laboshpublishing.com
DISABILITY AWARENESS RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
Disability Museum take a virtual tour of the disability museum, download lessons on disability awareness for all age youth. Sponsored by People, Inc. at www.museumofdisability.org
For Children: Created in God’s Image #S6910 is a story about two sisters who have a form of muscular dystrophy who share their stories about faith, family and friendship. My Church #S6909 by Karen McGann is written by a young girl who is deaf to offer a sense of acceptance, hope and belonging for deaf children in their church community. Seeing Through God’s Eyes #S6913 by Leanne Deluliis and Zachary Grabowski includes two young children sharing their story about being blind. We Go to Mass #S6911 by GLEA (God’s Love Embraces Autism) is design by parents of children with Autism to expand the participation of children with Autism in Mass. Available at www.RCLBenziger.com or call toll free 1-877-275-4725; $5.25 each.
The Gift of Hope, the Tony Melendez Story is a video about Tony, who was born without arms, whose spirit soars inspiring others with his music and his courage. Available on loan from our Diocesan library at 847-8778; also available from Vision Video at 1-800-476-2492.
Wheely Willy is an interactive website. “How Willy Got His Wheels” tells the true experience of a paraplegic dog, rescued from a dismal set of circumstances. This is a story of his dynamic joy filled approach to life, a motivational symbol for all. The love, compassion, courage and humanitarian qualities of this unique animal teach us how to overcome disabilities of any type, www.wheelywilly.com
RESOURCES FOR PROGRAMS
Stations of the Cross for Persons with Disabilities by Msgr. Thomas McDonnell is a source of affirmation for those who can readily identify with the sufferings of Christ. Available from Our Sunday Visitor at 1-800-348-2440 or www.osv.com
ESTABLISHING PARISH MINISTRY
Opening Doors to People with Disabilities, Volume I: Pastoral Manual (1995), Volume II: Resource File (1997) Volume II, Chapter 3, Section A includes many practical articles and forms published by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Washington D.C. at 1-202- 529-2933 or 1-202- 529-2934 (tty) or www.ncpd.org
Welcoming People with Disabilities by Marilyn Bishop offers basic tips for interacting with people with specific disabilities. Welcoming Children with Disabilities by Pat Carter includes five practical tips for inclusive religious education and sacramental preparation. Worship and People with Disabilities by Ronald Nuzzi offers ten pointers for making liturgy inclusive for all. Pamphlets available from the National Pastoral Life Center at 1-212-431-7825 or www.nplc.org
Parent Letters from your Parish offers a letter to parents of children with a disability to provide guidance and welcome from the parish. Available from Our Sunday Visitor at 1- 800-348-2440 or www.osv.com
Saint Mary Curriculum for Children with Autism offers a program designed to meet the needs of these children whom traditional religious education, even with accommodations, does not work. A curriculum, not modified, but designed for them allows greater growth in understanding and faith. It is visually based, entails limited language and more repetition, and is designed for students who cannot participate in a discussion and may have difficulty understanding emotions. At www.autismreligiouseducation.net you may purchase the curriculum and download the resource.
Welcome One, Welcome All - Resource Binder offers practical and readily applicable ideas and strategies compiled from dioceses throughout the United States on how to make your religious education/youth ministry programs more welcoming and inclusive. Available from Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators, Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, University of Dayton, Ohio, at 1-888-532-3389 or www.udayton.edu/~ipi/nice
Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Barbara Newman, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2006. An interfaith primer offering practical suggestions for welcoming and including individuals with ASD into the full life of parish communities. Available from Friendship Ministries at 1-888-866-8966 or www.Friendship.org
Family: Children with Special Needs Booklet # 548 that offers information and resources to help parents of a child with special needs with the practical issues they face. Available free from: www.usaaedfoundation.org or call 1-800-531-6196.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities provides excellent information on various types of disabilities, including fact sheets and teaching ideas. Visit www.nichcy.org and select “our publications” for a one page print out on specific disabilities.
Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and Father Henri Nouwen is a video highlighting the importance of including people with physical, mental and emotional differenced into Liturgy and church life. Available from Pathways Awareness Foundation at 1-312-701-3050 or www.pathwaysawareness.org
Awakening Spiritual Dimensions: Prayer Services with Persons with Severe Disabilities by Father Bill Gillum, OFM Cap., M. Ed. offers a series of prayer services which use a sensory-based model allowing symbols, sight, sounds, aroma, touch, and people to bring about a sense of the sacred to all who have gathered for prayer. Available from Author House at 1-888-519-5121 or www.authorhouse.com
The Kids on the Block an educational program presented by the Museum of Disability History with nearly life-sized puppets who act like real children promoting disability awareness and the acceptance of differences. Free. Visit www.kidsontheblockwny.org or all Brie Kishel at (716) 817-7478.
The Shepherd’s Troupe a group comprised of people with disabilities who utilize their gifts of gesturing, movement and expression to share the joy of their faith to Christian music. Contact Trudy at trudy_fish@yahoo.com or 828-7206.
Friends who Care a disability awareness program for elementary students with 7 units of 45 minutes. Helps children learn more about vision, hearing and physical disabilities as well as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and autism. Bookmarks, free ice cream coupons. Available at: http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_friendswhocare_downloads&autologin=true
Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities by Barbara Newman. This book includes information for understanding children with special needs, guidelines for churches, information about general areas of impairment, lesson plans, letters to parents and devotions for families. Available at www.faithaliveresources.org select Friendship Ministries $27.95.
Kid’s Quest on Disability and Health Website for children to learn about various disabilities through quick facts, links to websites, testimonials, movies and books, and famous people. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/kids/kidhome.htm
Lending Art Collection art done by people with Autism is available on loan for displaying from Autistic Services at 631-5777. This is a free service to raise Autism awareness, create partnerships and share the work of these artists with the community.
Ameri-Corps Self-Advocacy Association of NYS/ AmeriCorps - SANYS is an organization run by people with developmental disabilities. Through their AmeriCorps project "Our Experience is the Best Teacher" people with disabilities teach students, teachers, camp counselors and participants, staff, and community members disability awareness and sensitivity. Their Speakers Bureau will speak for school groups on becoming more accessible and integrated. While others may speak for people with disabilities, this group demonstrates that people with developmental disabilities can speak for themselves. To schedule a presentation, contact Sophia Roberts at www.western@sanys.org