United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries » 2009 » September
From the notebook of the Rev. Linda Bigler, pastor of Humboldt Congregational UCC in Iowa and a member of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors:
September 26, 2009
The Homecoming Court
Homecoming wouldn’t be Homecoming without a King and Queen, and Humboldt is no exception of course. Each girl and boy being considered for King or Queen rode in their own convertible in the (Homecoming) parade. Of course they were all dressed to the nines and were having fun waving to all of us along the way.
But our Homecoming Court story made news throughout the state and maybe it will make the national “feel good†news, too. Read the rest of this entry…
This page is subject to change.
Our goal is to recommend a few excellent resources in each category and subcategory.
For now, main resource categories include but are not limited to clearing houses for disabilities related tools, computer and web-access related tools; accessibility; disability/ability-related organizations, periodicals. Most will have online access.
Online Resources
We will appreciate knowing if a particular site is non-functioing. For Creating Caring Congregations ABLEDATA, clearing house for locating specific assistive technology products and rehabilitative information Access Unlimited David’s Access EnableMart, ETO Engineering www.etoengineering.com/index.htm JJ’s List Leader Dogs for the Blind assist dogs for persons with visual impairments, who are blind, who are deaf and blind; Trekker GPS training Next Generation Technologies, Inc. Solutions for Humans www.sforh.com/service/policy.html Window-Eyes Screen readers and other products for persons with viual needs. WSANA (West Suburban Access News Assocciation (Oak Park, IL) United Cerebral Palsy Web Resources yet to catalog: Daryl Green’s monthly column on health, healing, and coping with disabilities + ESP Softworks launches new line of games for blind persons in 2000 + Job Accommodation Network’s Free Consulting Service: The Job Accommodation Network helps persons with physical limitations or disabilities find ways to make their working environment accessible with special equipment, assistive devices, or workspace modifications. Call at 800/526-7234 or 800/ADA-WORK + WebABLE: One-stop shopping for disability-related resources. + Wemedia: portal for people with disabilities. Organizations
Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. The Fellowship of UCC Architects (FOA). Consultation resource for churches considering any sort of renovation, especially those that allow all to worship and serve. To assist churches in recovery of damages for non-ADA compliant construction, the FOA also will critique completed plans and unsatisfactory changes. For area participating members, contact Gary Roberts at robertsg@ucc.org or at 216.736.3822. Interfaith Ministries and Mental Illness “Reaching Out to Someone Who Has Mental Illness”-Mt. 25:35 The Mental Illness Network, 414 Pleasant Ave.; Sandwich IL 60548; or at bobdell@ecunt.org. The Network site is www.min-ucc.org. An order form for these and other resources is available on the Web site of Pathways to Promise (Interfaith Ministries and Mental Illness at wwwpathways2promise.org; or send an e-mail to pathways@inlink.com. National Information Center for Children and Youths with Disabilities The National Organization on Disability (NOD) Resource web site
Please share your favorite web site resource with us, giving a brief explanation of the site or, if obvious, what excels about the site. Please test the URL for function before sending it on.
a new video for the church and Mental Illness Network,
visit www.pathways2promise.org. A youth, an adult, and an older person, all excellent spokespersons, talk about their mental illnesses. It contains five steps a local congregation can take to become a Caring Congregation.
The power of choice in mobility. accessunlimited.com/html/link_barn.html
Access to ideas, technology, independence….
(David Clark serves on the UCC DM Board.)
Technology for everyone.
Accessible cell phones
Where people with disabilities review businesses and services. Search for disability aware businesses.
http:www/jjslist.com
Screen readers and other products for persons with viual needs.
A model website with information solely for persons with disability. Executive Director of organization is a member of a U.C.C. Church and a person with an invisible disability. Has been visited by over 162,000 persons since September of 2003.
www.wsana.org
www.ucp.org
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.
www.about ourkids.org
www.bpkids.org
www.save.org
www.min-ucc.org
www.nami.org
www.nod.org
www.disabledwomen.net
www.densmorereid.com
A free, step-by-step pamphlet on setting up a class for persons with developmental disabilities is available toll-free at 877.505.3675 or at
Sections on families, congregations, worship, and Christian education
Pathways to Promise – Mental Illness Educational Materials. With links to many other organizations and sources of information, this significant cooperative ministry among 15 denominations is the best place to begin searching for information about brain illnesses.
“Mental Illness: Community Outreach”-Heb. 13:1-2
“Creating Caring Congregations for People with Mental Illness and Their Families”-John 15:12
“Responding to People with Mental Illness in the Congregation and in the Community”-Micah 6:8
Contact 800 695 0285 or nichcy@aed.org
directory of religious leaders with disabilities. To become a member, contact Lorraine Thal or Ginny Thornburgh at 202.293.5360; e-mail religion@nod.org or go to www.nod.org. The interfaith listing includes ordained clergy, religious educators, seminary faculty, and
seminarians.
News Story
Monday, June 01, 2009
By Sandra Basu | U.S. Medicine, June 2009
Used with permission from U.S. Medicine
More support for the family caregivers of those injured in war is needed, a panel of wounded servicemembers and family members told Congress. Dealing with severe injury and trauma is not easy,†Army Lt. Col. Gregory Gadson, an amputee told a Senate subcommittee. “When we consider the myriad of injuries, as well as the unfamiliarity a typical family has in dealing with an injured servicemember, it is easy to understand how difficult a task it is for recovery.â€
Parents feel their son’s stress disorder
Tim Kahlor comforted his son, Ryan, during a Las Vegas Veterans Day parade. Ryan’s experience with post-traumatic stress disorder has turned his father into an antiwar activist. (Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times) By David Zucchino
Los Angeles Times / December 21, 2008
Listing of available websites
Health & Medical Resources Listed by Category
Read the rest of this entry…
Website dedicated to healing PTSD. “Our staff is available to educate communities in offering support services for veterans and families in their own hometowns. Soldier’s Heart also sponsors a mentor program for seasoned veterans to mentor new returnees.â€
www.realwarriors.net
Information for returning soldiers. Designed to help returning service members ask for help.
Recommendations for faith communities interested in healing our nation’s Veterans from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, based on the work of Edward Tick, Ph.D.
Read the rest of this entry…
