1. Including Individuals with Disabilities in a Faith Community: A Framework and Example
- Author
-
Melinda Jones Ault and Penina Goldstein
- Subjects
Health (social science) ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Judaism ,Rehabilitation ,Wish ,Religious studies ,medicine.disease ,humanities ,Faith community ,Faith ,Autism spectrum disorder ,Pedagogy ,medicine ,Autism ,Psychology ,Inclusion (education) ,media_common - Abstract
Faith communities should be prepared to provide effective inclusive models that allow individuals with disabilities to be included in the ongoing activities of the community and that provide a welcoming support network for the family. This article describes a framework for building inclusive practices in faith communities and provides an example of an effective model used by a Jewish synagogue to include a child with autism spectrum disorder and his family. The multi-component model included assessing the needs, providing recommendations to religious leaders, implementing the program, and evaluating the effectiveness of the program and providing follow-up. The model is described and suggestions are made for other communities of faith that wish to implement similar programs. more...
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF