Department for Persons with Disabilities
 135 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Tel: 412-456-3119, TTY: 412-456-3122, Fax: 412-456-3189
Email: disabilities@diopitt.org

Ministries Autism Deafness Intellectual Disabilities Physical Disabilities Visual Impairments

Programs and Resources

Make Room For Us - Monthly Podcast
Disability Awareness Masses
Opening Doors
 Parish Advocacy
Publications
Resting in God
Sacramental Guidelines
Guidelines for Special Religious Education
Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops


Sister Michelle Grgurich, SCN
Director

    Deacon Tim Killmeyer
Upcoming Events

 

                                                      Ms. Susan Sunderland
                                                                Secretary

 

MISSION STATEMENT

Called and sustained by God and commissioned by the Bishop, the Department for Persons with Disabilities, within the Secretariat for Education of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, is committed to making it possible for persons with disabilities to fully participate in the life of the Church.  Our vision of a church where all people can worship together inspires us to offer educational and catechetical services and resources that encourage:

  • Awareness of the gifts and religious needs of persons with disabilities.
     

  • Accessibility and accommodations for persons with disabilities.
     

  • Advocacy for and with persons with disabilities.
     

  • Acceptance of persons with disabilities.

PUBLICATIONS

We Go to Mass
A Mass book that addresses some of the needs of autistic children, it is visually oriented and incorporates many of the parts of the Mass.  It may serve as a starting point for parents or professionals to further individualize and create a unique Mass book for each child.

 

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My Church
 A young girl shares her Catholic Deaf Community in hope that it will provide hearing children with insights into the world of deafness and provide deaf children with a sense of acceptance, hope and belonging in their accessible faith community.

 

 

Created in God's Image
This book is intended to open a window through which others could see and understand those with disabilities.  This book provides the opportunity for all of us to open up to new understandings and perspectives.

 


Just Like Me
A picture story of two young people with Down Syndrome. The photos show the everyday life and accomplishments of these children and their interaction with faith, family and friends. It offers the reader a contemporary perspective about people with disabilities as it highlights more similarities than differences.


 

Seeing Through God's Eyes
This picture book is about two young children who are blind.  The two children share with the reader their experiences of being blind.  Along with seeing them in everyday activities, the reader will learn of their great love of their faith and how they grow in learning about Jesus.

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Curriculum

For more information on these books, call RCL Benzinger at 877-275-4725.   

One Flock, One Shepherd

A collection of prayers by parents of children with disabilities. The prayers in this  book reflect the hopes, dreams, and love of parents and grandparents. It is our hope that readers will find this a source of inspiration and consolation. For more information contact us at 412-456-3119 or e-mail us at disabilities@diopitt.org.

DISABILITY AWARENESS MASSES

What is a Disability Awareness Mass?

  • It is an opportunity to celebrate the gifts persons with disabilities bring to the Parish.
  • It is an opportunity for the Parish to welcome persons with disabilities to participate fully in the life of the church.
  • It is an opportunity to highlight the efforts of groups working with persons with disabilities.
Parish Considerations

Is our Parish accessible for persons with physical disabilities?

  • Entrances
  • Pews and aisles
  • Sanctuary
  • Bathrooms
  • Hall or other assembly area

 

Is our Parish accessible for persons with sensory disabilities
  • Sign Language Interpreter
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Mass booklets or readings of the day in Braille or large print.

Is our Parish accessible to and understanding of persons with mental, emotional, and learning disabilities?
  • Mass materials presented in easy to understand format.
  • Acceptance of persons who may display unique patterns of behavior
    (i.e. sounds, physical motions, etc.).

Planning
  1. Establish Disability Awareness Mass Committee.
  2. Examine Parish facilities regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities. What accommodations need to be made?
  3. Schedule the Disability Awareness Mass to take place during a regular Sunday Mass. Consider Respect Life Month when scheduling.
  4. Contact Diocesan Department for Persons with Disabilities.
      • Make arrangements to have an Interpreter for Persons who are Deaf.
      • Make arrangements if the Diocesan Deaf Choir is to be invited.
      • Make arrangements if program, songs, etc. are to be copied in Braille or large print.
      • Make arrangements to borrow temporary ramps to make sanctuary or other areas accessible.
  5. Publicize the Disability Awareness Mass. Prepare Bulletin Announcement and flyer. Extend invitation to persons with disabilities.
  6. Solicit help and cooperation from Parish Organizations.
      • Will there be a social, brunch, or luncheon following the Mass?
      • Will a program be distributed?
      • Are there individuals who may be available to serve as escorts for people who use a wheelchair or have a visual impairment?
      • Considering individual parish circumstances, do you need a person qualified in first aid to be available?
  7. Consider having an invitation with a return form to be completed by persons with disabilities asking for name, address, phone number, and an indication of their special needs such as an escort, material in large print or Braille, sign language interpreter.
  8. Contact persons who will serve in the following capacities. The goal is to extend an invitation to parishioners with disabilities for their participation as:
    • Greeters
    • Ushers
    • Entrance Procession Participants
    • Altar Servers
    • Readers
    • Offertory Procession Participants
    • Communion Marshals
    • Eucharistic Ministers
    • Choir, Cantor, and Musicians

     

PARISH ADVOCACY

1st Annual Parish Advocate Gathering - April 18, 2009, Epiphany Academy

The Parish Advocacy Program is sponsored by the Department for Persons with Disabilities, Secretariat for Education of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Department for Persons with Disabilities invites volunteers from each parish to work as advocates on behalf of their fellow parishioners who have a disability. The parish advocate is a caring compassionate friend who is sincerely interested in the well-being of people with disabilities and in their inclusion in the life of the parish.

The goal of the program is to make it possible for persons with disabilities to fully participate in the life of the Church.

Role of the Parish Advocate

The role of the parish advocate is to follow the example of Christ the Good Shepherd and seek out parishioners who have disabilities and together determine their spiritual, religious and ministry needs. The parish advocate will be recommended to the program by the pastor of their parish.

The Parish Advocate will work with the pastor of the parish to welcome and include persons with disabilities in a parish by;

Working to sensitize the parish to the needs and gifts of persons with disabilities.

Welcoming persons with disabilities and their families into parish life and parish programs.

Making referrals to appropriate agencies and diocesan offices when needed.

Working to make all aspects of a parish accessible.

 

Support for the Advocate

The Department for Persons with Disabilities will provide training, information and support services on a continuing basis for the fulfillment of the parish advocates responsibilities. The training will include information on parish ministry with people with disabilities, strategies for identification and inclusion, and ways to make parishes accessible.

Parish Advocacy Handbook

For more information on becoming a Parish Advocate, please contact:

Sister Michelle Grgurich at (412) 456-3119.

LINKS

Additional resources on the Church and Disability can be found at:

National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)

 

National Organization on Disability (NOD)

 

 


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