Disability Smart in Church

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  • Instructor and Course Introduction

    • Instructor: Barbara Newman.
    • Course: "Creating Congregations of Belonging with People of All Abilities."
    • Organization: All Belong Center for Inclusive Education.
    • Objective: To create inclusive congregations for people of all abilities.

  • Course Goals

    • Provide a framework for inclusivity in congregations.
    • Offer specific information and tools for including people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, unique behavior challenges, and adults with reading difficulties.
    • Promote inclusive worship, learning, fellowship, and service opportunities.

  • Barbara Newman's Background

    • Special education teacher at Zeeland Christian School since 1989.
    • Experience in including students with various disabilities.
    • Motivated by parents' struggles to find inclusive church communities for their children.

  • Challenges Faced by Families

    • Parents reported difficulties finding inclusive churches.
    • Churches often lacked the tools and knowledge to include children with disabilities.
    • Newman’s commitment to providing tools and resources to congregations.

  • Three Common Reactions to Inclusion

    • Yes Reaction: Excitement and positive experiences of inclusion in their congregation.
    • Maybe Reaction: Questions and uncertainties about the need for and implementation of inclusion.
    • No Reaction: Avoidance or negative experiences related to inclusion, often due to cultural or personal discomfort.

  • Importance of Inclusion

    • Inclusion benefits the entire congregation, not just individuals with disabilities.
    • Each part of the community is important, reflecting the biblical blueprint of community.

  • Statistics on Disabilities

    • Approximately 20% of the population in the U.S. has a designated disability.
    • This statistic includes a range of disabilities across different age groups.
    • High prevalence of disabilities highlights the importance of inclusive practices.

  • True Stories of Exclusion

    • Real-life examples of families struggling to find inclusive church communities.
    • Emotional impact of exclusion on families and the need for compassionate responses from congregations.

  • Autism Statistics

    • Dramatic increase in autism diagnoses over the years.
    • Importance of updating information to reflect current statistics (e.g., 1 in 59 children diagnosed with autism).

  • Course Invitation

    • Encouragement to reflect on personal and congregational attitudes towards inclusion.
    • Aim to provide practical tools and biblical insights to foster inclusive communities.

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    God is good all the time.  ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ He is same today, yesterday and tomorrow, We are human we tend to change as the season in our life but God remain same. I am a child of God trying to walk with him in his way. Jesus said to us one who want follow me carry your cross and ignore yourself, I am trying to follow the instruction. I know I am not the perfect one but in him (Jesus Christ) I am perfect. ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱   ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱        
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    Key Points from "Accessible Gospel, Inclusive Worship - Introduction"

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      Conference Story and Significance: An impactful story about a mother seeking advice on introducing her autistic daughter to God. The speaker's discouraging response deeply affected the mother, highlighting the need for accessible religious teachings for individuals with disabilities. This incident inspired the author to focus on making the gospel accessible and inclusive. Challenges and Questions: Common concerns from parents and church leaders about the spiritual formation of individuals with disabilities. Questions include how to ensure salvation for disabled individuals and how to help them grow in faith. Importance of Inclusive Worship: Accessible gospel and inclusive worship are central to the author’s mission. Behavior management, inclusive churches, and understanding specific disabilities are crucial for creating a conducive spiritual environment. Tools and resources are essential for aiding individuals with disabilities in their faith journey. Spiritual Formation Insights...
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