Office for Ministry With
Persons With Disabilities
"We are a single flock under the care of a single shepherd. There can be no separate Church for persons with disabilities.
                           USCCB   





 

 

 

 

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Mission Statement
The Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Catholic Life & Evangelization, Diocese of Allentown, is committed to facilitate the implementation of the Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities which calls for "realizing the unique gifts individuals with disabilities have to offer the Church" and Society and to advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the full participation of the liturgical and sacramental life of the church.

Programs
As many as 20 out of 100 people in the US have a disability. The Diocese of Allentown has 275,000 registered Catholics. From an extrapolation of the national figure, approximately 55,000 residents have some type of disabling condition including mobility impairments, blind or vision impairments, deaf or hard of hearing, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities or mental illness. The Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities meets the needs of these individuals with the Parish Advocacy Program and also has two other programs to address other specific needs.

  • Parish Advocacy
    Pastors of each parish within the diocese are asked to name an advocate for persons with disabilities. These advocates serve as liaisons between persons with disabilities, their parish and Catholic Life & Evangelization. Currently sixty-six parishes and over 77 volunteer advocates help promote the active involvement of persons with disabilities in the life of the parish.

  • Deaf Apostolate
    Interpreted Masses for the Deaf are offered in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley on a weekly and bi-weekly basis respectively. Some diocesan liturgies and events are also interpreted. Sacramental preparation is available as needed.

  • Services for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
    Services are offered on an annual basis. They include retreats and overnight trips.

PARISH ADVOCACY

WHAT IS AN ADVOCATE?

  • A Parish Advocate is someone who acts on behalf of persons with
    disabilities to ensure that all are invited to share in the life of their
    parish.
  • The Advocate follows the example of Christ the Good Shepherd and
    seeks out parishioners who have disabilities to determine their
    physical and spiritual needs.
  • The Parish Advocate is invited to accept this responsibility by the
    pastor of the parish.

WHAT IS A DISABILITY?

  • A disability is defined as difficulty seeing or hearing, moving the body, or understanding everything quickly.
  • It is a physical or mental impairment, which limits one or more of a
    person's life activities.
  • It can be from birth; it can come with age. Approximately one out of
    five people lives with some type of disability.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ADVOCATE?

  • Work with the pastor to welcome and include persons with
    disabilities into the parish.
  • Identify and make contact with persons in the parish that have
    disabilities.
  • Sensitize parishioners to the needs and gifts of persons with
    disabilities.
  • Welcome persons with disabilities and their families into parish life
    and parish programs.
  • Work to eliminate physical and attitudinal barriers in the parish.
  • Be a liaison to the Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
    for referral purposes.

HISTORY & PURPOSE

  • The Parish Advocacy Program resulted from the 1978 National
    Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  • In their Pastoral Statement, the Bishops recognized that "it is not
    merely enough to affirm the rights of people with disabilities. The
    Church must become an advocate for and with" people with
    disabilities and "it must work to increase the public's sensitivity
    toward (their) needs and support their rightful demand for justice."
SUPPORT FOR THE ADVOCATE
  • The Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities provides
    materials and support on a continuing basis toward the fulfillment
    of the parish advocates responsibilities. Materials include
    information on disabilities, strategies for identification and
    inclusion, and ways to make parishes accessible.
  • A resource library is available containing books, videos and DVD's
    on topics including Disability Awareness, Liturgical and
    Sacramental Resources, Sign Language, Teacher/Parent Resources
    and Specific Syndromes.
  • Training is provided at an annual Diocesan Parish Advocacy
    Conference.
ACCESSIBILITY SYMBOLS
  • The symbols below may be used to promote or solicit needs of
    accessibility of places, programs and other activities for persons with
    disabilities.

 Indicates accessible facilities, paths, rest rooms and parking areas for people with limited               mobility.

 Indicates enhanced hearing devices or technology are provided.

 Signifies print in 18 point or larger.

 Indicates sign language is provided.

 Indicates print materials available in Braille upon request.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Online:

    National Catholic Partnership on Disability
    www.ncpd.org
    National Catholic Office for the Deaf
    www.ncod.org
    National Organization on Disability
    www.nod.org
    United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
    www.usccb.org
Diocese of Allentown/Catholic Life & Evangelization:
  • Parish Advocate Resource Handbook
  • Parish Advocate Brochure
  • Parish Advocate Newsletter
  • Lending Library
  • Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
    Advisory Committee
For more information on the Parish Advocacy Program contact Sr. Janice Marie Johnson at:
(610) 289-8900 x245 or jjohnson@allentowndiocese.org


Post Office Box F  •  Allentown, PA  •  18105-1538