Disability Resource Team - Western Iowa Synod ELCA


The Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team encourages churches to become more aware of including persons with disabilities in their worship and activities, as well as making the facilities more accessible to those with disabilities. They are eager to consult with congregations and individuals and offer resources and ideas. Contact the Disability Resource Team via e-mail or through the synod office at 712-732-4968. Disability Resource Team Brochure (PDF)
Open Roof Award The Open Roof Award is presented every other year to a Western Iowa Synod congregation that has found ways to make its church building and ministries more inclusive. The name 'Open Roof' reminds us of the four men in Mark 2:3-4 who were trying to bring their paralytic friend to Jesus for healing. These men did not give up when the crowd was so large. They decided to lower their friend from the roof so he could be healed by Jesus. What would it be like if no one gave up? If we look for ways to include all people in worship life?? We cannot stop until all of God's people are able to come to church and participate fully in ministry! Previous Open Roof award winners include: Bethany Lutheran, Emmetsburg; Mamrelund Lutheran, Stanton; Emanuel-St. John Lutheran, Lytton; St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran, Manson; Immanuel Lutheran, Forest City; and Bethlehem, Cherokee. Has your congregation made significant changes to your building or programs to better include all people? Why not apply for the 2011 Open Roof Award? Previous winners may reapply if they have new projects. Application deadline is December 31, 2010. Application Form -- pdf file -- Word file
October is Disability Awareness Month! October is a great time for congregations to to lift up the needs of all people! *Congregation Resources for Worship:* Litanies Responsive Readings Prayers Suggested Scriptures Suggested Songs Sermon Ideas Useful Web Sites	Awareness Presentation Available The Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team is excited to offer a special presentation that raises awareness about persons with disabilities, congregational accessibility, the needs of caregivers, and available resources -- all to help your congregation be as caring, welcoming and inclusive as possible. Be sure to invite a team member to your congregation's worship, adult forum, council meeting, etc. We are eager to share! For more information or to set up a time, please contact Chandra McMahon, team chair.

The Disability Resource Team Needs Your Help! If you have made changes to your church building, your worship service, or anything at all to ensure "ALL MAY WORSHIP," we want to hear from you! Every day, all over the Western Iowa Synod, people of all kinds of abilities are active, vital members of the body of Christ and we think it's time to make a big deal out of it!! E-mail us your pictures, stories, thoughts, or testimonials so that we can share them with other congregations through the Spirit, E-Spirit, and other synod communications. You can e-mail your contributions to Megan Sorensen, or contact her if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!


Disability Ministries of the ELCA	Resources
A Responsive Reading	Clay Balls
	Heaven's Very Special Child
	Welcome to Holland



Can the Disabled Go to a Lutheran Camp? by Neal Norland, St. John Lutheran, Cylinder Can the disabled go to a Lutheran camp? A simple answer would be yes. I am Neal Norland, and I am 14. I have a physical disability which affects me doing various tasks throughout the regular day. I use a wheelchair to get around most of the time, and I need help at mealtime. Last summer was my fourth year at camp, and it was a lot of fun. This is my story about how Ingham Lutheran Bible Camp changed to make the camp more accessible to people with special needs. Click here to read the rest of Neal's story.
Is Attitude A Barrier? by Chandra McMahon, Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team How welcoming are we to those who are different from ourselves? This is a difficult question to answer. My name is Chandra McMahon. I am married and have three children, ages 13, 11, and 8. My 11-year-old daughter, Josie, was born 3 ½ months early, suffered brain damage at birth, and has cerebral palsy. We are active members at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg. Read the rest of Chandra's story.
An Automatic Door Opener is a Blessing! by Susan Keen, Ullensvang Lutheran, Thor, and member of WIS Disability Resource Team I used to ask God, “Why me, why do I have to be in this wheelchair?” Now I realize that God has a special plan for me and being in this wheelchair is a big part of it. I think for one thing God is using me to make other people aware of people with disabilities. For example, I would take a pie or casserole to my church, Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor, and I would have to hold the pie, open the big, heavy door, and run my electric wheelchair all at the same time. That takes three hands! This was not an easy task. Sometimes I would just wait until someone saw me, or someone would come along to help me open the door. I was not the only one needing this new electric door. Some of our other members walk with canes, are on crutches, etc. Now with the help of a disability fund at our church, and some very generous donations, we have an electric door at the back of our church. It is wonderful. I like to think I played a small part in the decision to install the doors at this time, even though many people needed and use it, and we all are very thankful that it is now in place.

Let God Lead By Megan Sorensen, Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team It was about five years ago now. I was driving home from work on a beautiful fall afternoon. I was thinking about our new home and how much I loved it. I was thinking about our three-year-old daughter and marveling at her development. I was thinking about our marriage and our jobs and our new baby due in the spring. I closed my eyes and I said, “Lord, my life is perfect.” But while I was basking in the selfish glory of my perfect life, God had plans for me far beyond my comprehension. Read the rest of Megan's article.

Expressing Our Needs By Vicky Brodale, Western Iowa Synod Disability Resource Team I have worked as an AEA speech and language pathologist in the schools for a number of years, with students who have a wide range of special needs. During that time, I have tried to convince students that they need to be advocates for themselves and their needs -- whether those needs are physical, academic, or emotional. However, that can be tough to do because many of us have assumed it is not acceptable to say what we need, especially if we think that it will make life more complicated for someone else. I discovered how incredible it can be to have someone listen and then act upon an expressed need. Since my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, I have found that others often appreciate it when I tell them what I need (although I still find it difficult to do!). For many years, the church choir at Bethlehem, Cherokee, sang from the loft. The handrails on the steps to the loft are constructed of beautiful oak 2X6 boards. Wonderful to look at but worthless as a functional handrail. I made a comment to that effect to Dick who also sang in the choir, and within two weeks, new three-inch round oak handrails were installed on the inner surface of the large 2X6 handrails! What a simple solution to a problem. Other choir members also commented on how wonderful it was to have functional handrails to grasp as they went up and down the steep stairs. That experience taught me the value of expressing my needs, and it also showed me how important it is to have someone who is listening. Look around your church -- are there changes that could be made to make participation easier for someone?