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Adults with Cognitive Disabilities/Mental Retardation: Approaches to Adult Faith Formation

Summary
Adults with Cognitive Disabilities/Mental Retardation: Approaches to Adult Faith Formatiom is a Resource and Idea Book developed by the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For the complete Resource and Idea Book , visit the www.usccb.org/laity/faithformation.shtml .

Introduction & Background
Spring of 2001, the Bishop's Committee on the Laity conducted an internet survey inviting Catholics to suggest how parishes can better help people integrate their faith with their daily lives. The highest priority area selected by the respondents was adult faith formation. Listening to suggestions from the laity, the bishops began to address this need by listing resources and lists of Catholic publishers on the internet. In addition, the Committee on the Laity surveyed every Catholic college, university, seminary and theologate and published a list of available distance-learning programs in theology/ministry/religion on the internet.

Of the adult Catholic population, one group that would not be assisted by these resources is adults with cognitive disabilities. This Resource and Idea Book is an attempt to begin to address this need. The decision to concentrate on cognitive and mental disabilities is not meant to suggest that there isn't much more that needs to be done to address the faith formation of all Catholic adults, including those with other disabilities. Rather this is a starting point to help share ideas and provide links to existing resources.

Since an important part of faith formation is inclusion within a faith community, the main focus of this guide is the inclusion of all people within the local parish. The guide is composed of a collection of ideas, programs and resources from parishes, dioceses and organizations across the United States. We are grateful to all those who responded to our request for information, those who sent material, and those who sent notes and emails that encouraged us during the compilation of this material. We are especially grateful for the continued work of the National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (NAfIM) and the National Catholic Partnership for Disabilities (NCPD.)

One challenge that is apparent is that of language and terminology. Some prefer to use the term cognitive or intellectual disability rather than mental retardation. Others insist that the term mental retardation is still the most appropriate. We have chosen to include both terms in this booklet. It is apparent that there is a difference of language in various parts of the country and also between different organizations (both within Catholic organizations and also within government organizations.)

On the following pages, we have included quotes from various sources and have used these statements as they were originally written. In some cases, the terminology used (e.g., developmental disabilities) is not precise. It is important to remember that the term "developmental disabilities" can be applied to more than just cognitive disabilities. For example, people with spina bifida or with cerebral palsy have developmental disabilities. Yet, intellectually these individuals may be brilliant. This resource booklet is not meant for them. We recommend that resources and programs at the parish level take these language and terminology issues into account.

Finally, while the vast majority of people with mental retardation are either mildly or moderately limited in their cognitive abilities, there are a precious few who have severe limitations. It is not unusual for some individuals to have more than one disability. It would be important for a parish or diocese to be in touch with local or national resources which can advise them on the best approach to a broad range of accommodations.

For the complete Resource and Idea Book , visit the www.usccb.org/laity/faithformation.shtml .