Browse this page to find organizations and events across the United States that promote the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in Church and society.
Featured Resources
EMBRACE, Enriching Many By Reaching All in Catholic Education
EMBRACE is an independent 501(c)3 organization started in 2016 to assist students with special needs in Catholic schools in the state of Kansas. This Association was conceived in 2005 by a group of dedicated, prayerful, and concerned parents of children with special needs, yearning for the opportunity for inclusion of their children in a Catholic school environment.
Program for Inclusive Education, University of Notre Dame
We envision Catholic schools that are prepared to educate all children regardless of academic, behavioral, social, or emotional need. Inclusive Educator Preparation [Certification; hybrid instruction, 18 credits)
The National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion
The National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion was founded in 2015. At that time, less than 2% of all Catholic schools included students with intellectual disabilities in their parish schools. Students with physical disabilities were routinely turned away. There were zero inclusive college programs for these students at Catholic colleges or universities.
FIRE Foundation
The FIRE Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 organization, is an advocate and supporter of inclusive Catholic education in the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph in Missouri.
Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education
Strategic Priorities of the Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education (GCCE): Supporting schools through innovative Professional Development Sustaining and enhancing Catholic school leadership Creating Inclusive Approaches for Catholic schools
Free Resources in Braille and Audio including Readings, Prayers and Responses for Sunday Mass
- Materials provided at no charge in braille, large print and audio. - Subscription services include monthly readings, prayers and responses for the Sunday Mass and selected Feast Days and Solemnities, as well as periodicals Catholic Review and Xavier Review. - Faith formation textbooks and workbooks for children and adults in braille. - Over 1,400 titles related to the Catholic Church, religion, spiritual and inspirational themes in braille and audio.
CUSA: Apostolate for Persons with Chronic Illness
CUSA connects people suffering from chronic illness and/or disability – physical or mental – through correspondence (both postal and electronic).CUSA members foster friendship with one another and help one another strive towards discipleship.
V Encuentro
Role of NCPD: - Coordinated with event planners and Hotel staff to address all disability accommodation requests. These requests included ensuring wheelchair access, as well as coordinating ASL interpreters for the sessions and for the online live-stream.
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering: Diversity Outreach
Every year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) hosts the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington D.C. This conference is an opportunity for Catholics across the country to learn and to educate others on relevant social ministry concerns, and to advocate for these social ministry concerns with legislative leaders.
National Catholic Educational Association
The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) offers conferences and professional development resources relating to inclusive Catholic education.
Victorious Missionaries
The Victorious Missionaries are people dedicated to providing spiritual support for all those with disabilities or who are chronically ill, and those who wish to journey with them. They are a diverse group – comprised of laity and religious, women and men, the young and not so young.