Faith, Spirituality and the DSP: Strategies for Promoting Meaningful Inclusion Faith and Spiritual Communities
Webinar: July 17, 2018
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. EST
Faith, Spirituality and the DSP: Strategies for Promoting Meaningful Inclusion Faith and Spiritual Communities
Presenter: Deborah Fisher, Psy.D.
This is a joint webinar presented through a collaboration between the AAIDD Direct Support Professional and Faith and Spirituality Interest Networks. The webinar was developed to provide Direct Support Professionals, their employers, and others with information to support meaningful participation in the faith and spiritual communities of the people they support.
Data collected by the Collaborative on Faith and Disability reveals that 84% of People with Disabilities say their faith is important to them. However, only 45% of people with severe disabilities attend a place of worship at least monthly. The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule, promotes full access to community life. The Rule emphasizes that people with disabilities be provided the opportunity to pursue interests that meet their personal preferences and goals in the community. Given the importance of people’s faith and/or spirituality, it is incumbent upon us to include this when developing and implementing plans for ensuring meaning, value and connection in peoples’ lives.
This webinar will discuss things to consider when learning about a person’s religious and spiritual preferences and traditions. The presenter will offer strategies for Direct Support Professional’s to use to promote meaningful inclusion. Ideas to address barriers facing people with disabilities participating in their chosen faith or spiritual worship communities and organizations will also be shared.