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Dialogue on Disabilities, a newsletter of Mennonite Mutual Aid, advises, "A crucial element of teaching adults with developmental disabilities is the understanding that people with such disabilities do not have 'the minds of children'. Rather, they have the experiences, feelings and emotions of adults with a learning capacity that is different from other adults but distinct from that of children."
Mennonite Mutual Aid offers an 8-page booklet, A Drama of Love: A Christian Educator's Guide to Creating Classes where Everyone Belongs.
Christian Board of Publication has produced Abiding in Faith, a Sunday school guide from an ecumenical perspective, which provides 48 lessons on such topics as "Reaching out to others", "Making the most of life and work", "Learning to live in the Christian community" and "Learning to live with my friends".
Friendship Foundation produces another ecumenical curriculum called Friendship Series. It is available in youth and adult levels and is introduced on a video called Give It Away.
Friendship Groups Canada provides resources and encouragement to groups and families who want to offer spiritual instruction and fellowship to people with developmental disabilities. Key to the program is matching those with developmental disabilities to "teacher-friends" in churches.
Many churches include those with developmental disabilities. However, Vancouver has a church whose main focus is ministry to people who are mentally or physically disabled, based on the concept that all are essential to the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12). Joy Fellowship, an interdenominational church, offers regular Sunday services, five Bible study groups and camps. Joy Gregory, one of two full-time staff members, says that new people come to the church and can't tell who has a disability and who doesn't, often guessing wrong both ways. "So, in our church, you hug first and ask questions later."
Bethesda Services is a government-funded, Ontario MB Conference ministry to adults with developmental disabilities. It has a central residential facility (Bethesda Home), but also serves other clients in group homes and community living situations. A drama team is available to serve in churhes.
MCC Supportive Care Services, also largely government funded, provides residential programs, work programs, respite care and educational awareness programs. It serves over 200 clients, mainly in southern British Columbia.
Christian Board of Publication Phone: 1-314-231-8500
Friendship Foundation Grand Rapids, MI Phone: 1-800-333-8300
Friendship Groups Canada Phone: 1-800-263-4252
Joy Fellowship 3557 West 39th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6N 3A4 Phone: 1-604-251-7962 or 1 -604-263-2703
Bethesda Home Box 1000, Vineland, Ont. L0R 2C0 Phone: 1-905-562-4184
Bethesda Ministries 235 Martindale Road, St. Catharines, Ont. L2W 1A5 Phone: 1-905-684-6918
MCC Supportive Care Services Box 2460, Clearbrook, B.C. V2T 4X3 Phone: 1-604-850-6608
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