Including People With Disabilities in Faith Communities

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2012) — The Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky (HDI) will present a free seminar on how people with disabilities are included into faith communities, and why their full involvement is important — not just for the individuals with disabilities, but for the community itself.

Clergy and faith communities, lay leaders, families, consumers and professionals working with persons who have disabilities are urged to attend.

The seminar will explore the imperative for inviting people with disabilities into full involvement in faith communities in the historical context where such involvement is often unrecognized. Presenters will discuss practical strategies for facilitating inclusion of persons with disabilities into the faith communities of their choice.

Presenters will be Melinda Jones Ault, assistant professor, and Belva Collins, professor and chair, both of the UK Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling; and Milt Tyree, project director of HDI's Supported Employment Training Project.

“Faith Communities and People with Disabilities: Responding to the Call for Inclusion” will be presented from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, in the Human Development Training  Room of UK's Coldstream Research Campus, at 1525 Bull Lea Road, in Lexington. Additionally, video-conference sites will be available around the city and at locations throughout the state for individuals who wish to participate. 

A printable flyer for the seminar is available for download as a PDF.
 

Space is limited and advance registration is required. Those who wish to attend may register online at http://www.hdi.uky.edu/news/events. Attendance sites must be selected at time of registration; if a site is full, you will have the option to select another site.

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu