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:
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Awareness of the gifts and religious
needs of persons with disabilities.
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Accessibility and accommodations for
persons with disabilities.
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Advocacy for and with persons with
disabilities.
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Acceptance of persons with
disabilities.
PUBLICATIONS
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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
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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
- Establish Disability Awareness Mass Committee.
- Examine Parish facilities regarding accessibility for persons with
disabilities. What accommodations need to be made?
- Schedule the Disability Awareness Mass to take place during a regular
Sunday Mass. Consider Respect Life Month when scheduling.
- 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.
- Publicize the Disability Awareness Mass. Prepare Bulletin Announcement and
flyer. Extend invitation to persons with disabilities.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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
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PARISH ADVOCACY
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;
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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.
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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.
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:
