Publications
The Connections newsletter and Opening Doors blog are written by ADN staff and field associates, as well as guest writers. The stories and reflections of individuals with disabilities illuminate their rich faith life and their lived experience. Contributions from faith communities dedicated to fostering inclusion encourage other congregations to embrace diversity and nurture spaces of belonging. Together, these stories underscore the importance of accessibility, empathy, and education in creating faith communities where everyone can fully participate and thrive.
Connections Newsletter
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Witnesses in a Wonder-full World
Benjamin Conner shares ideas for how to be a witness for wonder alongside children.
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Naturally Inclusive
Naturally Inclusive by Ruth Wilson is an excellent resource for parents and educators looking for practical advice on helping young people with disabilities to connect with the natural world.
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Wings of Hope Camp
At Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant Pennsylvania, the spirit of summer camp extends beyond the season. One beautiful expression of that spirit is Wings of Hope, an afterschool program designed especially for children and teens with disabilities, ages 5–18.
Opening Doors Blog
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Creating Inclusive Spaces
Often disability inclusion is simple. When we are attentive to the relationships with people in our congregation, we can make accommodations that do not require a committee nor a lot of money.
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Disability, Safeguarding, and Inclusion in Cambodia
Charles Conklin reflects on his time with MCC in Cambodia where he worked on safeguarding policies for people with disabilities.
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Built for Everybody
Camp Friedenswald, a Mennonite camp in southern Michigan, has worked hard to make their camp a place that is accessible and welcoming for people of all abilities.
Going Deeper
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Come As You Are
Camp KIND demonstrated the beauty of community by calling out each other’s gifts, gently loving people’s weaknesses, and fostering feelings of belonging and unity among participants and staff alike.
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Worship for Everybody
What if our Church gatherings were designed with everybody in mind – from toddlers to elders, from disabled folks to neurodivergent thinkers?
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Sensory Rooms
Sensory rooms are needed places of quiet in the midst of celebration. Here Sarah Werner shares about the sensory room at Mennonite Church USA’s biennial convention.
Media Reviews
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Resource Review: Believing and Belonging
Field Associate Sarah Werner reviews the anabaptist baptism & membership curriculum for adults with intellectual disabilities.
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Book Review: Dancing with Elephants
Mindfulness Training for Those Living with Dementia, Chronic Illness, or an Aging Brain.
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Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
Hannah Thompson and Peter Graber offer their honest reviews of this Sundance film.
