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5 Stages: The Journey of Disability Attitudes
Text only version of "Five Stages: Disability Attitudes" brochure
A Good and Perfect Gift
Review of A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny. By Amy Julia Becker. Reviewed by Kathy Dickson.
A Journey of Hope
Review of A Journey of Hope: A Spiritual Path Toward Hope and Joy in Caring for Your Child with Special Needs. By Sue Cassel. Reviewed by Paul D. Leichty.
A Matter of Dignity
Book review of A Matter of Dignity: Changing the World of the Disabled, by Andrew Potok. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
A Mother Held Hostage: My Journey with Jon
Book review of A Mother Held Hostage: My Journey with Jon. Barbara Borntrager. Reviewed by Cindy Warner Baker.
A Relentless Hope
Book review of A Relentless Hope; Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression. By Gary E. Nelson. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
A Small World
Nearly half of all children have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. In this presentation, we define trauma and its effects and learn resources and ways of being to build resilience and hope.
Abilities
Celebrating the giftedness of each person in the church
Accessibility
Tools for auditing accessibility of church buildings and programs and stories from congregations that have led the way.
Accessibility and Awareness
Resources for raising awareness, assessing accessibility of church buildings and programs, and transforming attitudes
Accessibility Resolution and Study Guide
Accessible Communications
Anabaptist Disabilities Network partnered with Anabaptist Communicators on this two-part webinar series on Accessible print and digital communications.
Accessible Technology
Tips for congregations on using technology in ways that do not exclude people with vision or hearing impairments
ADHD
Positive strategies for teaching children with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) in Christian education
ADN Resource Info Sheets
ADN Resources
ADN Speakers and Trainers
Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Christian education curricula for adults with intellectual disabilities, including preparation for baptism
After We're Gone
Caring for someone who is dependent due to a significant disability is a major responsibility. This webinar is a resource for estate planning for families with a dependent disabled family member.
Amazing Gifts
Review of Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability, and Inclusion. By Mark Pinsky. Reviewed by Kathy Dickson.
Amplifying Our Witness
A review of Amplifying Our Witness: Giving Voice to Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities. By Benjamin T. Connor. Reviewed by Cindy Baker.
Annotated Bibliography
Use this annotated bibliography of books and videos in ADNet's library to search or browse for books on topics that interest you.
Another Place at the Table
Mini-review of Another Place at the Table, by Kathy Harrison. Reviewed by Cindy Baker.
Anxiety disorders
Recognizing anxiety and supporting those who live with an anxiety disorder
Autism and Alleluias
Review of Autism and Alleluias, by Kathleen Deyer Bolduc. Reviewed by Christine Guth. Reflections on the presence of God in the life of a family, one of whose members has autism.
Autism and Faith
A review of Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community. Ed. Mary Beth Walsh, Alice F. Walsh, and William C. Gaventa. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
Autism and Your Church
Review of Autism and Your Church: Nurturing The Spiritual Growth of People in Your Congregation With Autism Spectrum Disorders. By Barbara J Newman. Reviewed by Sue Cassel and Christine Guth.
Autism in Our Youth Group
Training webinar by Janeen Bertsche Johnson and The Gathering Place on including youth on the autism spectrum
Awareness
Resources for learning about people with disabilities and their unique gifts and needs.
Baptism and Membership
In this series of discussions, Jeanne Davies engages in conversations with theologians and educators to delve into both the theoretical and practical aspects of exploring baptism and membership for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Baptism and Profound Disability
Theological reflections on baptism and the essential gift people with profound disabilities bring to the church. Can we be the body of Christ without them?
Becoming
Review of Becoming: God Heals Broken Self-Esteem. By Miriam Martin. Reviewed by Deborah-Ruth Ferber.
Believing and Belonging
An accessible Anabaptist membership curriculum
Beyond Accessibility
Review of Beyond Accessibility: Toward Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Faith Communities. By Brett Webb-Mitchell. Reviewed by Christine Guth
Blessed Youth
Blessed Youth is a sound introductory resource for youth leaders and churches seeking to understand mental illness and support children and youth during the intensifying mental health crisis.
Breaking Free from Depression
Review of Breaking Free from Depression: Pathways to Wellness. By Jesse H. Wright and Laura W. McCray. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
Brokenness and Blessing
Review of Brokenness and Blessing: Towards a Biblical Spirituality. By Frances Young. Reviewed by Kathy Dickson.
Can't, Not Won't (DVD)
A review of the DVD Can’t, Not Won’t: A Christian Response to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Disabilities and Mental Health Program, MCC Canada (2005). Video review by Cindy Warner Baker
Caregiving
Resources for caregivers of persons with significant disabilities, and ideas for congregations that want to support the caregivers in their midst.
Caresharing
Book review of Caresharing: A Reciprocal Approach to Caregiving and Care Receiving in the Complexities of Aging, Illness, or Disability. By Marty Richards. Reviewed by Robert Harnish.
Caring
Resources for caregivers and families, providers of pastoral care, and church members who care about people with disabilities and their families.
Changing Attitudes
Where are you on the Journey of Disability Attitudes?
Child by Child
Review of Child by Child: Supporting Children with Learning Differences and Their Families. By Susan Richardson. Reviewed by Jason Greig.
Children with Disabilities
Resources to assist churches in including children with disabilities
Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Children’s Books about Disability
Children's books about disabilities break stereotypes and gently teach children and adults alike to embody God’s love for all
Children's books about disabilities
Christian Education
Christian education resources for children and adults with intellectual disabilities or learning disabilities.
Churches
Resources for teaching and preaching that support the full and intentional inclusion of people with disabilities.
Churchwide Change: Part 1
This “Mental Health 101” webinar with Janelle Bitikofer helps us become more aware of the prevalence of mental illnesses in our congregations and communities, their causes and symptoms, and some keys to providing mutual support.
Churchwide Change: Part 2
In this continued conversation held on October 7, we discussed practical ways for congregations to engage in mutual care.
Circles of Care
Options for providing a congregational network of care for persons with significant disabilities and their families.
Classroom Inclusion
Recommended books for Sunday school teachers of students of all abilities
College Mennonite Church
College Mennonite Church (Goshen, Indiana), already blessed with a fully accessible building, has taken steps to extend hospitality to people who use a visual language.
College students with disabilities
Resources on preparation for college and post-secondary education for students with disabilities and their families.
Congregational Assessment Survey
Congregational Disability Advocates
A congregational disability advocate assures that the church will not miss out on the gifts and voices of its members with disabilities.
Congregations and mental illnesses
10 Things Faith Community Leaders Can Do to Make the World a Better Place for People with Mental Illnesses
Copious Hosting
A review of Copious Hosting: A Theology of Access for People with Disabilities. By Jennie Weiss Block. Review by Christine Guth.
COVID-19 & Other Viruses
Crazy Quilt: Pieces of a Mennonite Life
Review of Crazy Quilt: Pieces of a Mennonite Life. By Cynthia Yoder. A young woman’s quest to find happiness amid a broken marriage and a deep depression. Reviewed by Cindy Baker.
Crest Hill Community Church
All it took was a short discussion and a few eager volunteers to install a new ramp at Crest Hill that welcomes people with mobility challenges.
Crying for the Light
Review of Crying for the Light: Bible Readings and Reflections for Living with Depression. By Veronica Zundel. Reviewed by Beverlee Keck.
Dementia
Dementia affects individuals, their family members and the congregation. This webinar will help you understand basics of dementia and learn how to reach out. We offer communication tips and practical ways to stay connected.
Dementia: Living in the Memories of God
Book Review of Dementia: Living in the Memories of God. By John Swinton. Reviewed by Ron Ropp.
Depression and Anxiety
Learn more about depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental health disorders.
Disabilities and Mission
Offering healing and hope to people with disabilities is an essential mark of God’s reign and a sign that Jesus, our Messiah, is present and active.
Disabilities of Aging
Resources on disabilities that commonly accompany aging, including hearing loss, vision and mobility limitations, dementia, and more.
Disability ministry as community building
An Anabaptist approach to disability ministry focues on the whole person in community. Individuals and families find salvation, healing, and hope by being included in God's saving community, the church.
Disability Topics
Learn more about specific kinds of disability
Do We Want to Get Well?
There are deep divisions in our country between neighbors, church members, friends, and families. How might we be a part of God's work of healing ourselves and our relationships?
Explaining Autism to Children and Youth
Understanding of autism helps empower children and youth to be supportive friends to their peers with autism.
Faith Formation & Worship
Faith formation for people with disabilities; faith formation of the whole congregation in relation to disability inclusion.
Families
Frequent concerns for families when a member has a disability: caregiving, siblings, transition to adulthood, respite, life planning, long-term support, Anabaptist disability providers, and more.
Fetal Alcohol Disorders
Information to increase understanding in congregations for families coping with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Resources on the range of conditions resulting from a child's exposure to alcohol in the mother's womb.
Fierce Goodbye (DVD)
Information about Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide, a documentary film about living in the aftermath of a suicide. Produced by MennoMedia.
For the Deaf
Understanding deafness and Deaf culture
For Worship
Prayers, litanies, sermon starters, activities, Disability Sunday ideas, and other resources for inclusive worship
Freeport Mennonite Church
Freeport Mennonite Church (Illinois) rejoices that their building is now fully accessible, on one level.
From Exile to Community
Principles for creating true community that includes everyone.
From other faith traditions
Disability resources and organizations from other faith traditions
Grand Marais Mennonite Church
Grand Marais Mennonite Church (Michigan) completed a new fellowship hall in 2011 that is barrier free.
Healthy Boundaries
Setting healthy boundaries enables us to persist in sharing Christ's love through difficult circumstances.
Hearing and Deafness
Accommodations that include people who have mild or moderate hearing loss differ significantly from those that benefit people who hear very little.
Hearing Loss
Tips and stories on including people with mild to moderate hearing loss
Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities
Review of Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities. By Barbara Newman. Reviews by Christine Guth and Vanessa Yoder.
Hidden disabilities
Resources to raise awareness of hidden disabilities. Examples of hidden disabilities include chronic pain or diseases, mental illnesses, and many more.
Hope in Crisis
Suggestions for keeping faith and hope alive during the mental health crises of a loved one
Horses Live to Run
My family members on the autism spectrum show me that we dare not limit our definition of humanity to a single trait.
Hudson Lake Mennonite Church
How one congregation partnered with another Mennonite church to bring about accessible building renovations.
Including Difficult People
Thoughtful responses that empower us to include people we perceive as difficult instead of marginalizing them.
Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities
Review of Including People With Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations, by Erik W. Carter. Reviewed by Paul Leichty.
Including through Prayer
Resources for prayer that includes people with intellectual disabilities. Includes a review of Rhythms of Grace: Worship and Faith Formation for Children and Families with Special Needs, by Audrey Scanlan and Linda Snyder.
Inclusive Community Building
Is your church delivering specialized services to “needy” persons or demonstrating Christian hospitality that makes the necessary accommodations to include everyone in the life of the community?
Indiana Michigan Conference
After more than twenty years in second-floor offices with no elevator access, Indiana Michigan Conference moved to accessible ground floor headquarters in late June of 2011.
Innately Gifted
Every human being is innately gifted and has some-thing to offer that others need
Intellectual Disabilities
Resources on including people with intellectual disabilities
It Isn't Fair!
Review of It Isn't Fair!: Siblings of Children with Disabilities. Edited by Stanley D. Klein, Maxwell J. Schleifer. Reviewed by Cindy Warner Baker.
Jesus Wept
Review of Jesus Wept: When Faith and Depression Meet. By Barbara C. Crafton. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
Just One More Day
Book review of Just One More Day: Meditations for Those Who Struggle with Anxiety and Depression. By Beverlee Buller Keck. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
Leading a Special Needs Ministry
Book review of Leading a Special Needs Ministry: A Practical Guide to Including Children and Loving Families. By Amy Fenton Lee. Reviewed by Rachel Miller Jacobs.
Learning Disabilities
Sunday school teachers should watch for these signs of possible learning disabilities and adapt lessons to individual learning needs.
Lessons from Katherine
Book review of Lessons from Katherine. By Glenda Prins. Reviewed by Rebecca Frey. A memoir of coming to grips with the reality that an adoptive daughter is severely disabled.
Life Planning
On providing for the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of a person with disabilities after the death of the parents or other caregivers.
Living Gently in a Violent World
Review of Living Gently in a Violent World: The prophetic witness of weakness. By Stanley Hauerwas and Jean Vanier. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
Mental Health & Illness
Resources to build understanding of mental health conditions in congregations
Mental health and mental illness
When churches learn the difference mental health and mental illness, they can decrease stigma and offer healing.
Mental Health Education
Resources for raising mental health awareness to empower caring congregations
Mental health of children and youth
Ideas for working together in the congregation to create an environment that supports success for children and youth with mental health challenges
Mental Illnesses
Learn about understanding and supporting people who live with various mental illnesses
MHS Alliance
MHS Alliance moved from second floor offices in downtown Goshen to ground floor offices in the new Everence Financial building
Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church
A grant from Indiana-Michigan Conference allowed the congregation to upgrade equipment it needed to record worship services for homebound members.
Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness
Book review of Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families. Edited by Robert Albers, William Meller, and Steven Thurber. Reviewed by Tina Schlabach.
Mobility Impairment
Welcoming people who use wheelchairs or walkers, or who get around with difficulty
Much Madness is Divinest Sense
Review of Much Madness is Divinest Sense: Wisdom in Memoirs of Soul-Suffering. Kathleen J. Greider. Pilgrim Press (2007). Book review by Christine Guth.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
Tips for caring responses to those who live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)
Mutual Care
These are stressful times of pandemic and social unrest. People with disabilities and their families carry additional burdens. How can we, as the Church, practice mutual care, sharing joy and shouldering the load together?
My church is making me sick!
Raising awareness of those who are adversely affected by certain chemicals in the environment. Inviting action by faith communities
Not Quite Fine
A review of the book "Not Quite Fine" by Carlene Hill Byron
Overcoming Stigma
Faith communities can play an important role in reducing the stigma of living with a mental illness.
Parents of Children with Disabilities
Review of Parents of Children with Disabilities: A Survival Guide for Mothers and Fathers. Press Barnhill and Gena P. Barnhill. Liberty University Books (2010). Book review by Christine Guth.
Planning Accessible Meetings & Events
Tips & Suggestions for Planning meetings and events that are accessible to people with disabilities.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Resources for congregations on understanding and supporting trauma healing.
Praying Hands, Clenched Fists
Recognizing that prayer can include clenched fists as well as praying hands provides a way to hang on in the face of intense, persistent struggle.
Preaching and Disabilities
Preachers can encourage vital ministry with people who have disabilities through attention to language and metaphor, theology and biblical interpretation, and through their examples and illustrations.
Published Resources
Relentless Goodbye
Review of Relentless Goodbye: Grief and Love in the Shadow of Dementia. By Ginny Horst Burkholder. Herald Press (2012). Reviewed by Christine Guth.
Resources
Resources offered by ADN: consultation, speakers, disability information, book reviews, accessibility audits, and more
Respectful Language
Hospitality toward people with disabilities includes learning to use language that communicates respect.
Retreats and camps
A listing of Anabaptist camps and retreats for persons with disabilities and their families
Reviews
Recommended books and videos for church groups and individual enjoyment
Same Lake Different Boat (DVD)
A review of the DVD set: Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability. By Stephanie Hubach. DVD Christian Education series. Carlson Media (2012). Reviewed by Sue Cassel.
Same Lake, Different Boat
Review of Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability By Stephanie Hubach. P & R Publishing (2006). Book review by Christine Guth
Sensory Overload
Sensory overload from bright lights, pungent smells, a light touch, unfamiliar foods, or annoying sounds may overwhelm a person with sensory processing disorder or autism and trigger unexpected reactions.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Considerations for welcoming Service Animals (SA) and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in the church.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Boundaries help us prevent extreme events that damage or sever relationships, helping us to welcome those in Christ's body whom Christ himself has invited.
Shadow Voices (DVD)
Information about Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness, a documentary film that presents the stories of individuals who live with a mental illness.
Sibling Relationships
Suggestions for parents about managing family relationships when a child with disabilities has non-disabled siblings
Souls in the Hands of a Tender God
Souls in the Hands of a Tender God: Stories of the Search for Home and Healing on the Streets. By Craig Rennebohm with David Paul. Beacon Press (2008). Book review by Christine Guth.
Speaker topics
ADN staff and volunteers are available to speak and preach in your congregation on any of these topics, and more
Starting a Disability-Related Support Group
Tips for starting and sustaining a support group, from an experienced support group leader
Suicide
Resources for suicide prevention and supporting survivors after a death by suicide.
Sunday School Inclusion
The case for Sunday school programs that include students of all abilities, and resources for those who teach and oversee inclusive Sunday school.
Sunday School Inclusion Resources
Recommended videos and online resources for Sunday school teachers of students of all abilities
Support Group Tips
Tips for forming a support group from an experienced support group leader.
Support Groups
Starting and sustaining a group for mutual support of people dealing with disabilities or mental illness.
Support Networks
Caring for families affected by disabilities can mean discernment about whether and how much their needs are for information, a presence, practical assistance, or encouragement.
Supportive Care in the Congregation
Book: Supportive Care in the Congregation: Providing a congregational network of care for persons with significant disabilities. Ideas for congregations supporting families with dependent loved ones with disabilities.
Teaching autism acceptance
Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and other adults have a vital role to play in promoting understanding and acceptance of children on the autism spectrum in communities of faith.
The ABCs of Asperger's Syndrome
An A-to-Z Guide to Understanding Asperger's Syndrome
The Autism Spectrum
Resources on understanding and supporting children and adults with autism
The Bible, Disability and the Church
Review of The Bible, Disability and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God. By Amos Yong. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
The Disabled God
Review of The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability. By Nancy L. Eisland. Reviewed by Paul D. Leichty.
The Ride Together
Review of The Ride Together: A Brother and Sister's Memoir of Autism in the Family. By Paul Karasik and Judy Karasik. Published by Washington Square Press (2003). Book review by Cindy Warner Baker.
The Spectrum of Autism
Viewing those on the autism spectrum through the lens of cultural difference can empower church communities to build bridges of understanding
The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities
The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities, by Kathleen Deyer Bolduc (Judson Press, 2014). Book review by Tracey Lehman.
Thicker than Water
Review of Thicker than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities. Edited by Don Meyer. Woodbine House (2009). Book review by Kathy Dickson.
Troubled Minds
Review of Troubled Minds; Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission. By Amy Simpson. InterVarsity Press (2013). Reviewed by Keaton Shenk.
Vision Disabilities
Understanding low vision and blindness.
We Are Able
The We Are Able workcamp offers a 4-day summer service trip for intellectually and developmentally disabled youth and young adults, with options for non-disabled young adults to serve alongside them.
Webinars
Youth
Tips for effective inclusion of individuals with disabilities into church youth groups.
Youth Ministry and Disabilities
Cindy Warner Baker offers guidance to youth ministers on supporting and nurturing youth with emotional, cognitive, or physical disabilities
Learn more
Accessibility and Awareness
Accessibility
Awareness
Changing Attitudes
Caregivers
Circles of Care
Families
Support Groups
Faith Formation
Classroom Accessibility
For Church leaders
Youth
Worship
Published Resources
Webinars
Disability Topics
Autism spectrum
Disabilities of Aging
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
For the Deaf
Hearing Loss
Hidden Disabilities
Intellectual Disabilities
Mobility Impairment
Vision Disabilities
Mental Health & Illness
Children and Youth
Depression and Anxiety
Healthy Boundaries
Mental Health Education
Mental Illnesses
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Suicide