"On behalf of both the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), whose Ethics and Public Policy Committee I chair, as well as the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), as Director of Bioethics and Public Policy, I am writing to request that your Committee refuse to endorse LB 1056: Patient Choice at End of Life Act."
"Catholics with disabilities, like all Catholics, are incorporated in the Body of Christ as integral members. They, like any other member, belong to the faith community."
Words can sustain negative stigma and myths or they can communicate respect and sensitivity.
When you meet a person with a disability, choose words that say what you mean--that you see them
first as a person with many abilities. Talk to the person directly,
instead of their companion or interpreter.
Many people with disabilities are remembered especially during the season of Advent as needy recipients of charity. Families, parishioners, and coworkers look for opportunities to buy gifts for those less fortunate, less healthy, and less wealthy. The able-bodied become the designated "givers" and the disabled become the designated "receivers".
20.6 million American adults are blind or living with vision loss that is not corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses (National Health Interview Survey 2012). The following are some tips to facilitation interaction among people with and without 20/20 vision.
This USCCB pastoral statement (1978) uses language to describe disability that is now outdated. Read the NCPD document, “Speaking of Disability: Pastoral Guidelines on Language” for information about appropriate language.
November 16, 1978
Records the placement agreed upon by the parents, inclusion coordinator, and catechist. Placement is to be reviewed annually or as otherwise indicated.
Records the outcome of the interview following the classroom observation in order to provide positive support for classroom volunteers and additional tips and training, if needed.
Used to evaluate the year and provide information for the next catechist as to the strengths of the student and teaching methods that have been helpful.