Supporting and Understanding People with Special Needs
Women of the ELCA’s 2008 Triennial Convention passed a resolution asking Women of the ELCA to "take an active role in providing support for families of special needs children by offering a link on our Web site where those families can find support from other families and spiritual leaders." These pages respond to this resolution and provide information of value to anyone who wants to better understand special needs and the resources available to support persons with special needs in our congregations and communities
So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
- 1 Corinthians 12:25
Supporting Families
Special needs is an umbrella term. It covers everything from mild learning disabilities to profound mental retardation. It is also used as an adjective, as in “special needs adoptions.” Therefore parents, grandparents, and care givers looking for support are not always looking for the same things.
Women of the ELCA seeks to bring healing and wholeness to the world. Carrying out that vision includes supporting families with special needs children. On these pages you will find a wealth of resources for a range of special needs.
We encourage congregations to find ways to support families with special needs children and encourage creative approaches to worship, Christian education, and fellowship.
Welcoming Congregations
Disorders or disabilities that are not visible can present unique challenges. Parents can be unnecessarily faulted because such children can appear simply to need firm direction, and some families can come to avoid corporate worship altogether because they do not wish to disturb others.
Women of the ELCA encourages forbearance and compassion toward families with members living with any disability. We particularly ask that all congregations provide a way for the children to experience the love and acceptance of God and God’s people.
A number of ELCA congregations are host congregations for Rejoicing Spirits, a ministry that “reaches out to enrich the spiritual lives of people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends and other supportive community members.” Friendship Ministries is another place that provides ideas and resources that provide guidance and support for congregations that share God’s love with people living with cognitive disabilities.
Including congregational members with mobility impairments can be done by making our church buildings accessible. Assumptions should not be made as to how involved people with disabilities wish to be. Many disabilities do not preclude involvement as readers, assisting ministers, acolytes, and more!
Sensitivity and hospitality should also be practiced when asking congregations to stand. For example, the worship bulletin direction can be “stand as you are able” rather than just “stand.” Use the ELCA’s guide for planning accessible meetings and worship.
Some conditions that are considered disabling in one situation are not in others. Environments can be adapted in ways that make individuals with some disabilities as fully functioning as any one else. A church with a ramp entrance and an elevator eliminates any handicapping situation that could otherwise exist for people using mobility assistance devices such as chairs or walkers.