Catechesis for Individuals with Disabilities
“We are a single flock under the care of a single shepherd. There can be no separate Church for persons with disabilities.”
~ National Directory for Catechesis, 49
Catechesis for individuals with disabilities focuses on inclusive, adaptive methods recognizing each person’s human dignity and personal gifts. Our entire faith community in the Diocese of Rochester is called to ensure every individual can encounter Jesus and participate fully in the Church.
#IamChurch videos:
Persons with disabilities from different areas of our world talk about their experience of faith, reminding us of the many contributions persons with disabilities can offer our faith communities. FIND VIDEOS HERE
TIPS FOR WELCOMING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AT MASS
Documents
- Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
- Affirmation of and Commitment to the Call of the 1978 Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities
- Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities (1978)
- Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities: A Framework of Access and Inclusion (1998)
Websites
Books
- The Adaptive Teacher (Charleen Katra and John E. Barone)
- Indispensable: A Catholic Guide to Welcoming Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Edited by Mark Bradford)
- How to Welcome, Include, and Catechize Children with Autism and Other Special Needs
A Parish- Based Approach (Dr. Lawrence R. Sutton) - Handbook for Adaptive Catechesis: Serving Those with Special Needs (Michele E. Chronister)