1. Proclaiming God to Persons with Disabilities
Juan Pablo Miramontes, MM

2. Goals Disabilities - What are they? Changes in Society - Views
Church Teachings
- Bishops
How to work/minister with individuals with disabilities
Questions

3. Disabilities Non Ambulatory Mental Retardation Loss of Limbs Epilepsy
Blindness
Deafness or Hearing Impairment
Mental Retardation
Epilepsy
Autism
Cerebral Palsy

4. Developmental Disabilities
Permanent
Begin from birth to early infancy
Approximately 1% of the population is affected
Non curable
Some are treatable

5. Changes in Society Punishment of God Useless Demonic Children of God
Angels
PERSONS

6. The Church – Bishops _ 1995 Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as full functioning members of the local ecclesial community (Cf. canon 213). Ministers are not to refuse the sacraments to those who ask for them at appropriate times, who are properly disposed, and who are not prohibited by law from receiving them (Cf. canon 843, sect. 1).
By reason of their baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God, and have the same divine calling.

7. Applying the Vision

8. Invite, Welcome, Include
All baptized persons have the right to receive an adequate catechesis.

9. Belonging Do you feel welcomed at your parish?
Yes, but the invited are are welcomed. I want to be valued, to be a real part of the community – TO BELONG.

10. INVITE - Specifically Personally
In the bulletin and during announcements about registration
In signs of accessibility throughout the parish campus

11. WELCOME
Establish a relationship with parents of children and youth with disabilities
Come to know the child or youth as an individual and person
Build a relationship between the family, the parish and the religious education of the child or youth

12. INCLUDE Individualize – not one strategy fits all
Work in collaboration with the family for the inclusion in all aspects of parish life and that of the life of the diocese
Offer a specialized curriculum or formation about disabilities for volunteers, if necessary

13. It is very important that you gather specific and pertinent information during registration

14. ASK…
Does your child have a condition, disorder, allergies or physical disability, sensory, cognitive, social or emotional of which we should be informed in order to serve your child and family in the most adequate way?

15. When the response is, “YES”…
Maintain a personal contact with the parents or guardians of the student
Meet with them to obtain the pertinent information needed
Design a plan… an Individualized Education Program

16. Administrative Information
Religious Education Objectives of the Student of the the parents/guardians
Identify the parish support group (family, DRE, DFF, Consultant, Catechist, Assistant, etc.)
Actual Interest / Religious experiences exposed to
Medical Information (allergies, convulsions, other relevant information or needs)

17. Areas to consider in the design and adaptation in the lesson plan and other activities

18. 1. Communication
Receptive Language Ability– how do people who are deaf or have hearing impairments or those who are non-verbal receive information
Expressive Language Ability– how does the student or person communicate with others
Written Communication– academic level; large print; Braille; audio tapes/cds

19. 2. Physical Considerations
Mobility Equipment
Assistance Needed
Fine and gross motor skill actvities
Going to the bathroom or personal hygiene needs
At the time of arrival and dismissal

20. 3. Social Interaction Does the student interact well with others?
Additional consideration or how to facilitate social activies

21. What helps the student or the person learn better?

22. 1. Preferred Learning Style
Auditory
Visual
Tangible
Verbal

23. 2. Concentration Ability

24. 3. Distractibility
Auditory
Visual
Techniques to Redirect

25. 4. Additional techniques so that the student can respond favorably to learning

26. 5. Other information or recommendations for the Catechist

27. Emotional Wellness What are some things that cause emotional distress
Signs and descriptions that emotional distress is near before escalation occurs
Forms in which the catechist or assistant can help before escalation
Tools for intervention in case of emergencies

28. Juan Pablo Miramontes, MM
¿Questions?
Juan Pablo Miramontes, MM
(909) Office
(626) Cell