of the Roman Catholic Church

External Resources
for People with Disabilities

Catholic Resources for People with Disabilities

• Catholic American Sign Language
  Interpreters for the deaf are available for parish activities, religious education, weddings, funerals, or other events. Please contact Carol Ruddell at (801) 440-8729
  
  
• National Catholic Partnership on Disability
  The 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 over fifteen million Catholics who live with disabilities into parish and diocesan life. This mission of inclusion moves forward through a national network of diocesan-level leaders called by their bishops to address access and inclusion within parishes. NCPD provides webinars, materials and resources for families, catechists and parishes. On their website, find statements by the USCCB, training materials to download, and more.
  
  
• Catholic Celiac Society
  The mission of the Catholic Celiac Society is three-fold, 1) will be to educate Catholic celiacs about their options for Holy Communion as provided for by Canon Law and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; 2) to inform Catholic clergy and lay ministers about the special needs of Catholic celiacs in their dioceses and parishes; and 3) to reconcile those Catholic celiacs who have left the Church through lack of understanding, exclusion from the Eucharist, and isolation from their church community. Learn Catholic teaching and where to buy low-gluten hosts.
  Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M
  Phone: (914) 737-5291
  
  
• CUSA - An Apostolate for Persons with Chronic Illness and Disabilities
  A community of people who are chronically ill or who have a physical disability who support one another through prayer and correspondence. CUSA provides a way for members to encourage, care and listen to one another.
  Email: [email protected]
  
  
• International Catholic Deaf Association-United States Section
  Deaf /hard  of hearing Catholics; Deaf Catholic priests, deacons, brothers, sisters and lay ministry people and those working with the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Catholics.
  TTY: (301) 429-0697
  
  
• National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry
  Every person with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) will be welcome to full inclusion into our Catholic communities.
  Phone: (800) 736.1280 toll free
  
  
• National Catholic Educational Association
  A professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the Church.
  Phone: (800) 711-6232
  
  
• National Catholic Office for the Deaf
  Spreads God's message through the support of the deaf and Hard of Hearing Pastoral Ministry so that we may all be one in Christ. Pastoral Week is held annually for all Catholics and ministers serving the Deaf and hard of hearing.
  Email: [email protected]
  
  
• National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)
  Works collaboratively to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society.
  Phone: (202) 529-2933
  
  
• National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
  Formed as an organization of diocesan, parish, academic, publishing, and other catechetical personnel, strive to enrich and strengthen the ministry of catechesis throughout the Catholic diocese of the United States, and seeks to serve the Church.
  Phone: (202) 884-9753
  
  
• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)
  No family is prepared for the birth of a cild with a disability or the challenges of a disability that may develop by result of accident, age, or illness. Inclusion is perhaps the biggest challenge these individuals and their families face. As they look for welcome and justice in society, the church stands in solidarity with them.
  Phone: (202) 636-3825
  
  
• Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators
  Serves as a support network and resource to individuals with disabilities and their families by providing conferences, DVD and print resources, consultations, workshops and networking opportunities on the national and local level.
  Phone:  (888) 532-3389 toll free
  
  
• Smartphone Apps and Resources for People with Vision Loss or Impairment
  This guide is a resource describing smartphone apps and resources for people with vision loss or vision impairment and covers Apple, Android, and Standalone apps, as well as the native abilities of these platforms.
  
  
• The Victorious Missionaries
  This is a unique, uplifting and united organization that provides spiritual support for persons with disabilities, chronic illness or those who want to walk the journey with them. We offer programs and publications throughout the year.
  Phone: (618) 394-6281
  
  
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
  This is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is drawn from the universal law of the Church and applies to the Episcopal conferences which are established all over the world for the same purpose.
  Phone: (202) 541-3000
  
  
• Xavier Society for the Blind
  Its mission is a simple one: to make writings on religion and spirituality available to the blind. It has now added large print, audiocassette and most recently digital formats to its Braille offerings.
  Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ
  Phone: (212) 473-7800 or (800) 637-9193

Utah Resources for People with Disabilities

Advocacy

• LCPD (Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities)
  The Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities advocates for Utah public policy for people with disabilities. The LCPD is made up of individuals with disabilities, their families, advocacy groups, providers, professionals, and agencies.
  
  
• Disability Law Center
  Designated as the Protection and Advocacy agency for the state of Utah to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Utah.
  Phone:  (800) 662-9080 Toll Free
  
  

Assistive Technology

• Utah Center for Assistive Technology
  U.C.A.T. is the statewide resource for Assistive Technology information, equipment review, assessment and modification, and the exploration of assistive technology funding options. Our Visions and Values can be summed up with six words: Teamwork, Innovation, Expertise, Excellence, Respect, and Accountability.
  Phone:  (801) 887-9380
  
  
• Utah Assistive Technology Program
  Serving individuals with disabilities of all ages in Utah and the intermountain region, by providing AT devices and services, and training to university students, parents, children with disabilities and professional service providers about AT. We coordinate our services with community organizations and others who provide independence-related support to individuals with disabilities.
  Phone:  (800) 524-5152 Toll Free