Disabilities, Religion and Spirituality Program

Provides disability-related training to current and future religious and spiritual leaders and educators
Supports individuals with disabilities and their families as they give expression to their religion or spirituality
Encourages disability service providers to consider the religious and spiritual interests of the individuals they serve

Program Activities

Developing ecumenical educational materials
Conducting research
Sharing best practices
Providing disability-related theological field education internship opportunities for future religious leaders and educators
Providing disability-related trainings for faith communities
Hosting lectures and workshops
Developing community partnerships to support inclusive religious and spiritual practices

Resources

Disabilities, Religion, and Spirituality Program Flyer

Including Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities in Religious Education
Presentation April 22, 2010, as part of the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Families First Program

Tips and Resources Fact Sheets
For individuals and families, for religious leaders, and for congregational care teams are free and available for download.

We continue to gather local and national programmatic resources to share with individuals with disabilities and their families and with religious and lay leaders. We want to know about your community. Do you know of religious/spiritual resources in Tennessee that may be useful for individuals and families, disability service providers, and/or religious and lay leaders? Send them to courtney.taylor@vanderbilt.edu.

Visit Tennessee Disability Pathfinder and search the religious and spiritual resources section. There are resources for individuals and families, religious leaders and educators, and disability service providers.

To make a donation that will allow the VKC UCEDD to further develop activities in these areas, please visit the Giving page of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center website. Specify that your gift go to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Disabilities, Religion, and Spirituality program.

Quick Facts

1.5 million of Tennessee’s residents have a disability (2000 U.S. Census).
Barriers to participation in communities of faith: 1) architectural barriers that do not allow individuals with physical disabilities to navigate the space; 2) attitudinal barriers based in a community’s fears and misunderstandings about disabilities; 3) communication barriers that disallow participation (e.g., issues of sight, sound, and language); 4) programmatic barriers that do not allow individuals with disabilities the opportunity to share their gifts and talents with the community; and 5) liturgical barriers, such as sacraments or rituals, that may not be adapted to meet individual needs. [Taken from: Carter, Erik. (2007). Including people with disabilities in faith communities: A guide for service providers, families, and congregations. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.]