“All human beings are equal in dignity in the sight of God. Moreover, by reason of their Baptism, all Catholics also share the same divine calling”[1]

The Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministries of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington serves to empower and support persons who are Deaf, and those living with disabilities, to be agents of evangelization within their parish setting.

Key to the Synodal process with and for persons who are Deaf and those living with disabilities is empowerment.   Communio and Missio are important elements  in enabling persons who are Deaf and those with disabilities to find a home within the parish that sustains and empowers their full and active participation in the Church through their baptism.  A parish home where they can return to for support within a community with minimal barriers.

To ensure the experience of the Listening Sessions across The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington captures the thoughts and feedback from the Deaf and Disability communities, the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministries will do the following in conjunction with parishes: 

• • Allowing for both access to parish Listening Sessions, as well as creating a space where questions and dialogue can happen in either American Sign Language or adapted using more concrete language for those living with Intellectual Disability.  This will assure a confident, full and activity participation of all the People of God.

• • Create a Parish Tip Sheet for welcoming persons with disabilities to their Listening Sessions;
  • Create and provide a webinar explaining the Synod Process to persons with Intellectual and Developmental  Disabilities and their families in concrete language
    • Host two Listening Sessions virtually for persons living with Intelectual and Developmental Disabilities, but open to all who wish to participate.
  • Hold a Zoom session for the Deaf Community to explain the process and purpose of the Synod;
    • Schedule and hold Listening Sessions for St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church, which includes students from Gallaudet University and Deaf Catholics from across the Archdiocese.