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Keith Dow explores faith inclusion networks that support spiritual growth for people with developmental disabilities across diverse religious traditions. He highlights resources and examples from Ontario and Texas that help churches create welcoming environments. The post encourages readers to share other valuable networks promoting belonging and inclusion in faith communities.
While the majority of resources posted on this site are from a Christian faith-based perspective, we recognize that the challenges to full welcome and inclusion faced by churches are also shared with a variety of other religious traditions, and advocating for emphasis on spiritual development in the lives of people with disability is needed regardless of the traditions they align with.
Network supporting developmental disabilities
The Faith and Culture Inclusion Network is dedicated to advocating for spiritual development and inclusion in the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Ontario. They offer resources related to various aspects of including people with developmental disabilities in faith communities.
Examples of faith inclusion networks
There are many similar networks throughout North America, but one that is thriving and offers many resources is the Texas Faith-Based & Community Initiative for Disability Inclusion. They provide a number of YouTube videos, such as the one below on the Central Texas Stories of Faith and Inclusion. Heather Albright, featured in the video at 3:25, joined us for the 2014 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability in Dallas.
Invite to share other networks
Are there other networks that you have found beneficial with regards to faith, culture and disability? Feel free to include them in the comments.
About the Author:
Keith Dow:
Keith Dow lives near Ottawa, serving as Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life with Karis Disability Services. He holds his PhD in caregiving ethics from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is the author of Formed Together: Mystery, Narrative, and Virtue in Christian Caregiving (Baylor, 2021). Keith Dow is a credentialed Pastor with BIC Canada for his role with Karis Disability Services, where he supports the spiritual health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and equips churches to be more accessible and hospitable.
Recent Posts:
Keith Dow explores faith inclusion networks that support spiritual growth for people with developmental disabilities across diverse religious traditions. He highlights resources and examples from Ontario and Texas that help churches create welcoming environments. The post encourages readers to share other valuable networks promoting belonging and inclusion in faith communities.
While the majority of resources posted on this site are from a Christian faith-based perspective, we recognize that the challenges to full welcome and inclusion faced by churches are also shared with a variety of other religious traditions, and advocating for emphasis on spiritual development in the lives of people with disability is needed regardless of the traditions they align with.
Network supporting developmental disabilities
The Faith and Culture Inclusion Network is dedicated to advocating for spiritual development and inclusion in the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Ontario. They offer resources related to various aspects of including people with developmental disabilities in faith communities.
Examples of faith inclusion networks
There are many similar networks throughout North America, but one that is thriving and offers many resources is the Texas Faith-Based & Community Initiative for Disability Inclusion. They provide a number of YouTube videos, such as the one below on the Central Texas Stories of Faith and Inclusion. Heather Albright, featured in the video at 3:25, joined us for the 2014 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability in Dallas.
Invite to share other networks
Are there other networks that you have found beneficial with regards to faith, culture and disability? Feel free to include them in the comments.