Agenda Agenda Linda Rammler, UConn UCEDD (copy from Agenda - PDF document

2/21/18 Agenda Agenda • Linda Rammler, UConn UCEDD (copy from Agenda handout) • Fr. John Gallagher, O.F.M. Cap. (St. Pius X Church) • Kim Ranell Newgass (Baptist Church in New Haven) • Mary Lou Freitas (Bethany Covenant) • Doris Maldonado (Unitarian Society of Hrtfrd) • Rabbi Ilana Garber (Beth El Synagogue) • Questions and answers 2 1 1 CT UCEDD 2013- 2018 Objectives: Following this webinar, participants will be able to provide specific examples of how 5 different faith communities facilitate inclusion in common faith community activities of: • • Worship and Holidays Parish events • • Faith formation Outreach/service Resulting in friendship and fellowship through accessing faith like everyone else. 3 10 UConn UCEDD’s Faith-Based UConn UCEDD’s FBI Projects Initiative • DDN “Day of Respect” conference w/Rev. Bill • Member and host of CT Faith and Spirituality Gaventa (3/16/09) Advisory Council (2007-2011) • Not currently funded (“what we can when we • DDN "Including People with Disabilities in can”) Faith Communities: Strategies that will • Member of Collaborative on Faith and Disability work in your community“ workshop w/Erik • AUCD Faith and Disability Special Interest Group Carter (5/16/12) 1

2/21/18 Projects, cont. Projects, cont. • Consultation to faith communities (e.g., AIM*) • Restructured “St. Cyril of Jerusalem Program • Community Outreach & Valley Parish Nurse for Catechesis” for the Bridgeport Program conference (3/4/13) Diocese available on DVD – section on • Interfaith events at Beth El inclusive “Teaching People with DD” • “Group watch”/round table discussions about • “Including People with Autism in Faith Collaborative’s 2014-15 webinars Communities” w/Joe Geriak & Kim Newgass* (10/12/12 at St. Pius X Church*) Inclusion in Worship and Holidays Projects, cont. • People First CT annual conference (6/17/17) • TASH National in Atlanta • Currently maintain a website and provide individual and organizational technical Father John Gallagher, OFM Cap St. Pius X Church assistance pastor of Saint Pius X Parish Middletown, CT and Guardian of the https://uconnucedd.org/projects/faith_initiative/ Capuchin community Physical accessibility for worship and holidays Inclusion in worship and holidays • Pew cut-outs • ALL are welcome – service animals, crying babies, • Accessible parking spaces level w/main entrance individuals who vocalize their joy • Stair lift to church hall • Friendly greetings and farewells • Railings up steps to altar • Implications of tithing • Option to receive Holy Communion without • Live-streamed “overflow” Masses having to approach the altar • Good Friday Stations of the Cross 2

2/21/18 Inclusion in worship and holidays, cont. Faith formation • Option of pew cushions • Bulletin notices re: scent-free • Homilies emphasize community and love for all • Community banquets – natural supports Kim Ranell Newgass, Mom, autism activist, and involved • Sydney’s story parishioner at Trinity Baptist Church Our God is a Rock? Samy: How We Got Here Faith formation and Parish events Timelines May Be Helpful… Mary Lou “Lu” Freitas, Mom and active parishioner at Bethany Covenant Church 3

2/21/18 Faith formation and Parish Faith formation and Parish events events, cont. • AIM (All-In-Ministry) • Youth groups Current • • Others in congregation • Worship Arts & Music Community • • Volunteerism • Hands-on and interactive activities for all • Fundraising Teacher & Youth Education • • Sunday School, greeting, etc. • Peer mentors • Confirmation • Camp Squanto/Retreats Faith Outreach and Service -- Faith Outreach and Service “I just bring them” • Involvement in high school youth group • CT KASA initiative for foster children through the church • Ending the Silence program Adoptive mom of teens with disabilities, person with a • Volunteers at soup kitchen through the church disability, NAMI Advocate, Special Education Teacher, and • Collecting for food pantry active member, Unitarian Society of Hartford Faith Outreach and Service, cont. In Summary • Using faith base to reach and teach families and friends • NAMI curriculum • Support Group for people with mental illness Rabbi Ilana Garber, • Need for cultural awareness/involvement of the Rabbinic Director of Lifelong Learning and Spanish community Community Engagement • Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry (AIM) at Beth El Temple 4

2/21/18 All means ALL, cont. All means ALL at Beth El Worship and holidays • Available to create a warm and welcoming • Book cart in sanctuary for those who need a environment across inclusive community: break • Scent-free (we put it in all of our materials • Large print prayer books, magnifying glasses and request people try) available on front table • • Hearing assistance devices available too Handrails leading up to our pulpit (also • Dairy-/allergen-free candies at end of services down hallways to social hall) All means ALL, cont. All means ALL, cont. • Faith formation -- our educational program • A sensory room with mats on the floor and (called SULAM) foam equipment for kids who need to "get • We teach the student, not the curriculum, so their sillies out" before SULAM begins or some children learn in transliteration during services (Hebrew/English) and we support that need • Supports include paras, fidget tools, wobble stools, and more Questions? Thank you for your participation!! 14 5