Ministry to Persons with Disabilities
St. Augustine
Church-Ministry to the Disabled
http://www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org/disability/
Founded by the Raphael Society to provide spiritual services to
persons with mental retardation. In 1995 it was united with the Apostolate
for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind and Mentally Ill to form the current
Ministry.
Catholic Charities
Disability Services
http://www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org/disability/
Catholic Charities Disabilities Services has, as its purpose, the
inclusion of persons with disabilities into the life of the Church and our
community. To fulfill this purpose, Disability Services will advise,
consult and/or design services for persons with disabilities and offers
social, educational and community-based supports designed to fit the
need/request of the person with a disability.
National
Catholic Partnership on Disability
www.ncpd.org
The National Catholic Partnership on
Disability (NCPD) was established in 1982 to foster implementation of the
Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities.
Passed unanimously on November 16, 1978, this prophetic document calls for
welcome of the now over fourteen million Catholics who are disabled. It
states that these persons must be able to participate in the celebrations
and obligations of their faith, and advocates for their inclusion "within
the total fabric of society.
National
Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry
www.nafim.org
Called together as persons with and without mental retardation, NAFIM
witnesses to the Good News that all persons are created in God's image and
likeness. It seeks to promote the full incorporation of persons with
mental retardation and their gifts into the Body of Christ as proclaimed
by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
L'Arche
http://www.larcheusa.org
L'Arche is a part of a worldwide network of more than 120 communities
in 30 countries. Our communities are made up of people with disabilities
and those who come to share life with them. Our mission is to create homes
where the unique value of each individual is realized and celebrated.
L'Arche began in 1964 in a town in France, Trosly-Breuil, when our
founder, Jean Vanier, invited two men with developmental disabilities to
live with him. He named the home, L'Arche, in reference to Noah's Ark--to
be a place of refuge and new beginnings. L'Arche USA is comprised of 14
communities and three projects throughout the United States, including
Cleveland.
Read the following document on the USCCB website:
