JFActivist

Churches Seek to Open Their Doors to People with Disabilities

From Christianity Today:

Welcome the Exceptional

Churches that embrace people with disabilities do more than they imagine.

>>> To Read the Full Article

Summary by Ginny Thornburgh, Director of AAPD's Interfaith Initiative (1/7/10):

The concept of hospitality is central to all religious traditions. This January 2010 Christianity Today “Where We Stand” editorial  reminds congregations of the abilities which children and adults with disabilities can contribute to the work, witness and leadership of their church.

Often children with Down syndrome and other disabilities are not valued or thought to be a positive addition to families, congregations or communities. Poorly informed thinking and unexamined attitudes is the cause of tremendous hurt and injustice. The article concludes with the assertion that extending “the sacred gift of friendship” is the most important accommodation that congregations can make to people with disabilities and their families.

Comment Below:

How has your faith community responded to your disability?  What barriers have you encountered? What supports have you found?

Happy Hanukkah: A dreidel for the blind spins a new, year-round lesson

From the Houston Chronicle (12/3/09):

A dreidel for the blind spins a new, year-round lesson

By NICOLE NEROULIAS

LAKE OSWEGO, ORE. — For centuries of Hanukkah celebrations, the dreidel has served as both children's toy and religious symbol, marked with Hebrew letters that stand for “a great miracle happened there.”

Artist and Jewish scholar Marsha Plafkin Hurwitz's version of the four-sided top is more than child's play. It's also a conceptual sculpture, disability aid and sensitivity training tool.

She fashioned a metal dreidel featuring raised Braille bumps several years ago. First marketed as modern Judaica, “The Braidel (The Braille Dreidel)” joined the collections of the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Jewish Museum of London. Now it's finding fans among disability-rights advocates.

Hurwitz, a graduate of New York's Jewish Theological Seminary, is now spinning it off as a classroom game for all ages, with input from Portland State University's Project Braille program.

“It's taken on a life of its own,” Hurwitz said, leafing through a prototype of The Braidel Game manual at the kitchen table of her suburban home south of Portland, Ore. “This is something for Jews, Christians, Muslims, anyone who wants to engage how their tradition has treated disability.”

By making a tradition from the Jewish festival of lights accessible to the visually impaired, Hurwitz has set a much-needed example for the entire community, said Becca Hornstein, executive director of the Arizona-based Council for Jews With Special Needs...

>>> For the Full Article

ABC to Air "A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities"

From a Diva Communications Press Release (11/16/09):

Diva Communications' Interfaith Documentary Explores Pressing Issue of Faith and Persons with Disabilities

Diva Communications, Inc., a three-time Emmy award-winning programming and production company, has complete 'A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities,' a unique interfaith documentary due to begin airing on ABC stations in December.  The documentary, produced in conjunction with the New York Board of Rabbis, had the support of an extraordinary lineup of faith groups including the National Council of Churches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops.  The faiths' relationship with persons with persons with disabilities is a critical issue since it is estimated that 1 out of 5 Americans has a disability.

'A Place for All' explores the courageous stories of persons with disabilities as the succeed in making their faith communities truly inclusive.  It features people such as Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh, a spiritual leader at Congregation Bnai Keshet in New Jersey and one of the handful of deaf rabbis in the world; members of ELCA's DAYLE program where Definitely Abled Youth unite at the 40,00 strong triennial Evangelical Lutheran youth gathering; Rev. Beth Lockard, the pastor of Christ the King Deaf Church; and Brandon Kaplan, a severely disabled boy with limited sigh and speech who recently had the privilege of becoming a Bar Mitzvah...

... ABC  stations nationwide will begin airing the program December 6, 2009 as a part of ABC's Vision and Values series, a presentation of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. Check your local station for times. 

>>>For More Information or To watch the trailer

>>>For A Listing of Stations and Times

Interfaith Coalition Supports Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform

From the JFA Moderator:

Last Friday, November 6, the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC) sent a letter (read full text below) to Congress supporting the inclusion of two important long-term services and supports provisions in health care reform, the Community First Choice (CFC) Option and the CLASS Act.  Hosted by AAPD's Interfaith Initiative, IDAC brings together national religious and religiously affiliated organizations to mobilize the religious community to speak out and take action on disability policy issues with Congress, the President and Administration, and society at large.

>>> For More on IDAC

 

November 6, 2009

Dear Member of Congress:

We, the undersigned members of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC) and other religious and religiously-affiliated organizations, write to urge you to retain long term services and supports in health reform. The Community First Choice Option and the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) must be included in health reform to ensure that people with disabilities have access to critical long term services and supports that promote independence and dignity.

The Community First Choice Option would allow states to provide community-based attendant services and supports through a Medicaid state plan option to people with disabilities who are Medicaid eligible. Including the option in health reform will help to address Medicaid’s institutional bias, which often forces people with disabilities to live in institutions rather than in their homes and communities. Institutionalization severs individuals from society, greatly limiting their ability to contribute economically, socially, politically and spiritually.

The CLASS Act creates a national, affordable, voluntary long term care insurance program. By participating in this program, individuals will be able to receive cash benefits for necessary supports without being forced to rely on Medicaid. The CLASS Act would result in important savings to Medicaid while providing participants with the ability to exercise personal responsibility and choose how their services and supports are provided.

 

The Community First Choice Option and the CLASS Act must be included in health reform. The shared values of our faiths are in conflict with public policy that limits the choices and opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities. These proposals are crucial steps in fulfilling the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency” for people with disabilities. They will help to make it possible for people with disabilities to continue contributing in their communities and congregations as well as to their nation.

Respectfully,

The American Baptist Home Mission Societies

Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies

Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Hindu American Foundation

Islamic Society of North America

Jewish Council for Public Affairs

L'Arche USA

Lutheran Services in America

National Council of Jewish Women

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office

UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America

The Union for Reform Judaism Unitarian Universalist Association of   Congregations

United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society

For more on these provisions see previous JFActivist Action Alerts:

Action Alert: Support for CLASS Act Grows, Join in

URGENT! TODAY is a Turning Point for Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform

Action Alert: THIS WEEK Support Long Term Services and Supports in Health Care Reform

Making God More Accessible

From the Wall Stree Journal (9/3/09):

Making God More Accessible
By MARK I. PINSKY

The television commercials were disturbing: Traditional-looking churches barring or physically ejecting racial and ethnic minorities, gay couples—and people with disabilities. One tag line was "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we." The national campaign, which aired several years ago, was sponsored by the liberal United Church of Christ. "We included people with physical disabilities in these commercials—in a wheelchair or with a walker—as an extension of the call and hope that churches would be intentionally inclusive of 'all the people,'" said the Rev. Gregg Brekke, a spokesman for the denomination.

Instead, the imagery provoked grumbling from some denominations because of its implied critique of other church traditions. But at least when it came to the physically handicapped, the criticism had more than a grain of truth. Churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are places where people with disabilities might not expect to feel excluded, isolated or patronized. Yet that has often been the norm. For years congregations have effectively excluded the disabled from worship—by steps, narrow doorways and straitened attitudes—or segregated them in "special" services. Houses of worship (except those with more than 15 employees) were excluded from the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, which, among other things, bars discrimination against people with physical or intellectual disabilities—including access and architectural barriers—in public accommodations and transportation...

..."Of all the barriers to full participation and inclusion, the barrier of unexamined attitudes is the most difficult to address," said Ginny Thornburgh, director of the American Association of People with Disabilities' Interfaith Initiative. Its goal, she says, is "to bring the powerful and prophetic voice of the faith community to the 21st-century disability agenda," and to involve all religious communities. "There are no barriers to God's love," Ms. Thornburgh says. "There should be no barriers in God's house."

>>> For the Full Article
>>> For more on the work of AAPD's Interfaith Initiative

Guest Column: The Disability We Don’t See

Contributed by AAPD's Coalition Partner, the Islamic Society of North America (7/26/09):

The Disability We Don’t See
By Khansa Padri

Confession isn’t Part of Islam, but I reason to make one.  I used to harbor anxious feelings about people with physical and mental disabilities.  That’s why when the prospect of volunteering for the Special Olympics recently came my way I hesitated.

The inner debate was on.  Did I really want to get up on my Saturday morning and bake in the sun for innumerable hours to help with a program for people that made me uncomfortable?  But the social benefits for children in need!  Shouldn’t I help the feeble?

Ugh, but how well I remembered my own uneasiness in being around disabled children.  I could be cozy in bed, sleeping in late after a hectic week.  Then the little voice within spoke up, though I tried repeatedly to shut it out.  It kept asking: “What would Khadijah, the Mother of the Believers do, may God be pleased with her – the woman who gave everything to the budding Muslim community in Makkah, for the sake of Allah?”

At last, with a deep sigh and a quick bismillah, I signed my name on the dotted line.

Saturday morning I found myself decked in a white hijab and tons of sun-block lotion.  I can do this, I kept telling myself.  I tried to psyche up.  I envisioned myself happily and successfully getting through the day.  But most importantly, I renewed my intention to participate in this event solely for the pleasure of my Creator.

When I got to the Special Olympics site, abruptly I beheld a flurry of people-in wheelchairs, on crutches, cast in varied apparatus and motions all mingling with one another.  For a moment, I was taken aback.  My eyes swallowed the un-synched scene, and my heart gave a quick flutter.

I swiftly pulled myself together and registered, got my volunteer badge, and headed off to my event.  My task was mercifully simple:  Keep the relay race lines moving and physically assist anyone in need of a hand here or arm there.

One by one, the unique athletes, some trudging, others hopping, slowly struggled down the 50 yard track, never taking their eyes off the finish line and always surpassing it.  Each time a member made it across the trodden path, the entire team broke out in pride-screams of victory.  With each passing race words of encouragement instinctively spilled out of my mouth and  gentle touches of aide was a simple matter of reflexes.  I soon became a member of not just one team but all three.

The day moved faster than I expected. Even the blazing sun didn’t seem so bothersome anymore.  I was actually enjoying myself.  I ate some scrumptious food and even conversed with a number of participants, listening to their wholesome dreams of growing up and leaving their mark on the world.  Yes I had a bit of difficulty understanding  the speech of a few, but I never failed to see the eagerness and  determination to succeed that illuminated their faces.

The day wound down, only a couple of contests left.  I felt immensely satisfied with how the even unfolded for me.  Little did I know, that my day was just about to begin?

It was a 10-yard baton relay race between two teams.  Things were flowing smoothly as before with the athletes engaged in friendly competition. A small boy of about 7 in a wheel chair, with one full leg and one amputated to the knee, unexpectedly began struggling to stand up.

Naturally, I asked him what he was doing.  He would use his crutches in this final race, he said.  As I looked at him, it was clear that there was going to be on convincing this boy to stay in his wheelchair.  I had to think fast.  So instead of disallowing him, I simply gave him the keys to his independence.

Intently I watched him.  He began to wobble down  the lane.  He moved with laborious determination, stopping every so often to take a breath.  Whether  there was a rock along the way or Allah had just determined to teach me a hard-learned lesson, I don’t’ know. But before I could react, the young boy flipped onto the ground, his crutches lying close by.  Within seconds, I was beside the boy, feeling as if my heart was going to come out of my mouth.  I helped him turn over and checked for any injuries or signs of bleeding.  Except for a few minor scratches on his knees and palm, the boy appeared unhurt, alhamdulilah!

The race was over for him.  He’d turn around and call it a day.

But to my shock, he tightly grabbed hold of his crutches and fiercely stared in to the finish line.  His intent was clear.  So I helped him to his feet and then stood by in disbelief as the boy continued his arduous journey to complete the race.

Every eye was fixed upon him, step after grueling step.  By the time he reached that deeply coveted line, the entire audience was on its feet applauding raucously.  I myself literally jumped for joy and ran to meet him at the other end.

The satisfied look of accomplishment he wore, beads of perspiration on his forehead, is forever etched in my mind.  I congratulated him, exclaiming wildly: “You did it! You did it!”  He just looked at me.  And calmly he said: “No We did it.”

My heart dissolved. My eyes misted.  This 7-year old child, with a physical disability, yet the will and poise of  a hero, helped me more than anything I did that day.  He became my teacher.

For Allah had reminded me through him that the real disabilities in human beings lie not in their forms or intellects, but dwell in their hearts.  And all of them veil a single thing: A spirit imbued with arrogance that proud feeling which hinders us from acceptance of one another because of superficial differences; that prevents us from our native state of happiness for each other and mutual joy in togetherness; that keeps us from hymning our inborn will to express collective thanksgiving to the sole Creator and all His many splendid creatures.

I was humbled.  I was grateful.  By a miracle, I had been cured.

AAPD: Focus On ... IDAC

Religious Leaders Affirm Disability Rights

By Ginny Thornburgh

Director, AAPD Interfaith Initiative

Sometimes what seems impossible is actually possible.

When our president, Andy Imparato, asked me to bring the “powerful and prophetic voice of the faith community to the 21^st Century disability agenda,” I was stunned. Through almost twenty years of work at the intersection of religion and disability, I had learned that disability rights issues were not generally high on the agendas of most denominations and faith groups.

How in the world does one bring the “powerful and prophetic voice of the faith community to the 21^st Century disability agenda?” Through AAPD’s newest effort – the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC). That’s how.

IDAC is a diverse, nonpartisan coalition of religious and religiously-affiliated organizations whose core spiritual values affirm the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. The mission of IDAC is to mobilize the religious community to speak out and take action on disability policy issues with Congress, the President and Administration, and society at large.

The IDAC Steering Committee consists of both lay and ordained interfaith leaders who care deeply about issues of disability. At our initial meeting in October 2008, we hammered out our goals, our procedures and our membership requirements. Finding common ground and common cause across faith lines and across disability experiences was hard but very rewarding work.

Our first public policy effort was to draft an IDAC letter for House and Senate leaders in support of the Community Choice Act (indicate information on the AAPD website), legislation which promotes independence with dignity and allows individuals who receive long-term services through Medicaid to have a choice in where, how and from whom they receive personal assistance. By allowing older adults and people with disabilities to receive care in their homes and communities, passage of this legislation will ensure that they can remain active participants in their families, neighborhoods and religious communities.

When the IDAC CCA letter went to the hill on June 22, 2009,  twenty two respected organizations from a wide range of national religious groups had signed on and lent their moral support to the Community Choice Act. Sometimes what seems impossible is actually possible.

Our next step was to invite these twenty two very respected religious organizations and others who care about disability public policy issues to become Members of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition. Organizations seeking membership in IDAC must be a national religious or religiously- affiliated organization with the capacity to take action on national public policy issues; must agree to support IDAC’s mission and follow IDAC’s procedures; and must have a grassroots constituency and the authority to take positions on their behalf.

The variety of the first ten organizations completing IDAC membership applications was impressive: Lutheran Services in America, Union for Reform Judaism, National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Islamic Society of North America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Episcopal Church, The American Baptist Home Mission Societies, National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, and United Jewish Communities/Jewish Federations of North America.

On Monday, July 27, 2009 we held the first IDAC Membership Information Meeting with featured speaker, the Honorable Tony Coelho, AAPD Board Chairman and Former Majority Whip, U.S. House of Representatives. A key author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Tony spoke with passion about the need for more and better employment opportunities for people with disabilities and he described the discrimination he had encountered as a person with epilepsy. His remarks were gratefully received.

Also during that first IDAC meeting, AAPD president Andy Imparato, a self described “disability policy wonk,” outlined the landscape of the disability rights movement and drew particular attention to the Community Choice Act and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which will be at the forefront of IDAC’s agenda. Following Andy, Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, Senior Advisor on Disability Issues, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, spoke of her personal experience with brain injury and her strong belief that disability is a social justice issue which deserves the fullest attention of the religious community.

All in attendance at the July 27^th meeting offered enthusiastic support for IDAC. The meeting made us realize that once members of the religious community became aware of the pain of discrimination, exclusion and isolation which people with disabilities and older adults often experience, their support for disability rights issues is likely to be sure and swift. So that which seemed impossible is now very possible. Stay tuned as we gather new IDAC Members and begin to use the moral authority of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition for the good of our nation.