General Information

Acessibility
An accessible parish community is one where all persons are truly welcomes into the social, educational and liturgical life of the Community of Faith.  Opening paths to accessible parish, buildings, programs and most importantly as accessible Heart.

Blind/Sight Impaired Ministry
*Annual Retreat
*Monthly Scripture Group
*Resource for Braille Materials
*Audio tapes of Faith Magazine
*Catholic Inquiry for the Blind
Audio tapes distributed world-wide, explaining the Faith

Christians Concerned about Mental Illness (CCMI) - Mental Illness
*Christians Concerned about Mental Illness Support Group
*Network with Support Groups
*Resource for Counseling Referrals

Developmental disAbilities
*Consultation and In Service to Religious Education
*Coordination of Special Religious Education Program
*Retreats for persons with disAbilities
*Caregiver Retreats
*Consultation to Parochial School Programs
*Annual Mass & Potluck with Bishop

Facilitating Rainbow Homes
*Project to provide Christian semi-independent living for adults who have developmental disAbilities

Physical disAbilities
*Consultation on Structural Accessibility
*Promotion of Americans with disAbilities Act

Parish Awareness
*Assessment of Accessibility
*Collaboration with Tomorrow's Parish
*Pamphlets on Responding to Persons with disAbilities
*Training for Ushers
*Advocates in Parishes
*Consultations to Staff
*Presentations to Parish Groups
*"Welcome to My World for Youth

What Can You and Your Parish Do?
*Educate and increase awareness of all parishioners about the needs of people with disAbilities
*Make parish buildings accessible and provide handicap parking
*Involve persons with disAbilities in the liturgy and parish programs
*Provide religious education adapted to the needs of persons with disAbilities
*Invite persons with disAbilities into the parish community
*Offer transportation when needed
*Maintain contact through phone calls and visits to the homes of persons with disAbilities

For assistance and information please contact:
Joann Davis, Director
Colleen Andrews, Secretary

Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing
Ministry with Persons with disAbilities
email: Joann Davis, Director