Office for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Living the mission of the Archdiocese of Newark, the Office exists to foster the appreciation of individuals with disabilities as indispensable members of the Body of Christ, to empower parishes to support meaningful participation in all aspects of the life of the Church through engagement, relationship, and appropriate supports, and to nurture the growth and capabilities of persons with disabilities so they experience a true sense of belonging in our community.
Appreciation • Empowerment • Meaningful Participation • Relationships • Belonging
Pilot Program IntroductionDisability and Accessibility in Our Community
Disability has always been a part of life, but our understanding of it has changed. Today, we see disability as the result of both a person’s condition and the environment around them, including how we design spaces and encourage participation.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility ensures everyone can fully participate, whether in the Church or beyond. It means easy access to spaces, clear communication, feeling welcomed, and accommodating different ways of engaging. For tips on making your events more inclusive, visit our Disability & Accessibility section.
What is a Disability?
A disability can be physical, cognitive, or emotional, and it affects everyday tasks like socializing, learning, or managing daily activities. In New Jersey:
- 1 in 4 adults (23%) live with a disability.
- 1 in 6 children (17%) have a developmental disability.
- 17% of students receive special education services.
These numbers may reflect the people with disabilities in your parish. If they aren’t present, it may be because they’re not yet connected to your community.
Why Inclusion Matters
Studies show:
- 32% of families left their congregation due to lack of support for loved ones with disabilities.
- 38% considered leaving for the same reason.
By making our parish accessible and welcoming, we ensure everyone belongs.
Understanding Disability
People with disabilities (PwD) are not all the same, even if they have the same diagnosis. Each person’s experience with disability is unique. For example, someone born with a disability may have a different experience than someone who becomes disabled later in life due to an accident or aging. Disabilities can happen at any time, whether during birth, childhood, or later in life. Some common types of disabilities include:
- Learning Disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, developmental aphasia)
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Communication Disabilities (e.g., non-verbal but still understanding language)
- Health Impairments (e.g., ADHD, epilepsy, diabetes)
- Mental Health Concerns
- Physical Disabilities (e.g., orthopedic issues, chronic pain)
- Vision Impairments (e.g., blindness, low vision)
- Hearing Impairments (e.g., deaf or hard of hearing)
Some disabilities may require specific accommodations, such as:
- Simple language, pictures, or communication devices
- Mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers
- Extra time to process information
Important Notes
- Aging can bring changes like hearing loss or vision problems, which some may not view as a disability due to social stigma.
- People with the same diagnosis can be affected in very different ways.
Everyone’s experience with disability is unique, and it’s important to offer support that meets individual needs.
Disability is the largest minority group and impacts people across all demographics, including:
- Gender
- Age (children, teens, adults, seniors)
- Culture, race, and nationality
- Marital status (single, married)
- Employment status (employed, unemployed)
- Economic background (wealthy, poor)
- Spiritual and religious beliefs
- Citizenship (citizens, immigrants)
- Roles in the Church (clergy, religious, laity)
My Beautiful One
If you or someone you know has received a prenatal diagnosis, you are not alone.
Receiving a prenatal diagnosis is a traumatic event for parents eagerly anticipating the birth of their child. My Beautiful One ministry provides emotional and spiritual support to parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis, from diagnosis through pregnancy, birth, and whatever lies ahead, for up to one year. We believe that every baby is a gift – a beautiful one – whose life matters, and who possesses inherent value and dignity.
My Beautiful One ministry does not provide healthcare advice or treatment, does not collect any payments for services provided, and is not a covered entity engaging in covered transactions under HIPAA.
For more information, please visit our webpage.
