Disabilities Ministry Online Resources

He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me –Matthew 10:40

To sustain the Gospel message, all believers are called to build vibrant communities of faith and service. We all have a need to belong and feel welcome and persons with disabilities want to be included and involved.

Like other parishioners, they have gifts and strengths to offer to the worshiping community and should be fully included in the life of the parish. To that end, the following are offered as resources. Each should be viewed in light of church teaching and law.

If you need more information, please contact:
Bill Fleming,
Director, Disabilities Ministry
wfleming@archbalt.org

 

MASSES FOR THE BLIND, DEAF and Hard-of-Hearing

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) website (https://fdlc.org/covid) now contains a list of links for Masses which will serve the worshipping needs of persons with disabilities. Specifically, these Masses assist the Deaf Community and those who are blind or sight impaired.  Many thanks to the Xavier Society for the Blind and to National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD). 

 

For a complete list of resources which assist persons with disabilities, including those dealing with mental illness, please visit the National catholic Partnership for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) https://ncpd.org/pandemic.

 

Catholic Organizations and Resources on Disabilities

 

Other Organizations and Resources

Specific Disability Conditions/Developmental Disabilities

Autism

  • Autism Society of America A leading source of information and referral on autism, representing the autism community for more than 33 years. The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families.
  • Baltimore Chapters, Autism Society of America Volunteer, non-profit organizations dedicated to acting as a voice for individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders.
  • Pathfinders for Autism Parent sponsored, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families through research, referrals and resources.
  • Unraveling Autism A fact sheet from the National Institutes of Mental Health regarding autism.
  • Autism Speaks Committed to funding biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism and to raising public awareness about autism.
  • Interactive Autism Network A project of the Kennedy Krieger Institute designed to accelerate the pace of autism research by linking researchers with families.
  • Rise for Autism
  • Cafe Mom

 

ADHD/ADD

 

Down Syndrome

 

Epilepsy

 

Learning Disabilities

 

Cerebral Palsy

 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

 

Blind

 

MentalHealth