Resources for People with Disabilities

These organization's mission is to serve Catholics who have disabilities or chronic illness, including Catholics who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, have mobility challenges, who have dietary restrictions, and more.

Catholic Resources for People with Disabilities:

  • Catholic American Sign Language
    Interpreters for the deaf are available for parish activities, religious education, weddings, funerals, or other events. Please contact Carol Ruddell at (801) 440-8729
  • National Catholic Partnership on Disability
    The NCPD was established in 1982 to foster implementation of the Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities.  Passed unanimously on NOvember 16, 1978, this prophetic document calls for welcome of the over fifteen million Catholics who live with disabilities into parish and diocesan life. This mission of inclusion moves forward through a national network of diocesan-level leaders called by their bishops to address access and inclusion within parishes. NCPD provides webinars, materials and resources for families, catechists and parishes. On their website, find statements by the USCCB, training materials to download, and more.
  • Catholic Celiac Society
    The mission of the Catholic Celiac Society is three-fold, 1) will be to educate Catholic celiacs about their options for Holy Communion as provided for by Canon Law and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; 2) to inform Catholic clergy and lay ministers about the special needs of Catholic celiacs in their dioceses and parishes; and 3) to reconcile those Catholic celiacs who have left the Church through lack of understanding, exclusion from the Eucharist, and isolation from their church community. Learn Catholic teaching and where to buy low-gluten hosts.
    Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M
    Phone: (914) 737-5291
  • CUSA - An Apostolate for Persons with Chronic Illness and Disabilities
    A community of people who are chronically ill or who have a physical disability who support one another through prayer and correspondence. CUSA provides a way for members to encourage, care and listen to one another.
    Email: LFJagdfeld@aol.com
  • International Catholic Deaf Association-United States Section
    Deaf /hard  of hearing Catholics; Deaf Catholic priests, deacons, brothers, sisters and lay ministry people and those working with the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Catholics.
    TTY: (301) 429-0697
  • National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry
    Every person with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) will be welcome to full inclusion into our Catholic communities.
    Phone: (800) 736.1280 toll free
  • National Catholic Educational Association
    A professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the Church.
    Phone: (800) 711-6232
  • National Catholic Office for the Deaf
    Spreads God's message through the support of the deaf and Hard of Hearing Pastoral Ministry so that we may all be one in Christ. Pastoral Week is held annually for all Catholics and ministers serving the Deaf and hard of hearing.
    Email: info@ncod.org
  • National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)
    Works collaboratively to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society.
    Phone: (202) 529-2933
  • National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
    Formed as an organization of diocesan, parish, academic, publishing, and other catechetical personnel, strive to enrich and strengthen the ministry of catechesis throughout the Catholic diocese of the United States, and seeks to serve the Church.
    Phone: (202) 884-9753
  • National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)
    No family is prepared for the birth of a child with a disability or the challenges of a disability that may develop by result of accident, age, or illness. Inclusion is perhaps the biggest challenge these individuals and their families face. As they look for welcome and justice in society, the church stands in solidarity with them.
    Phone: (202) 636-3825
  • Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators
    Serves as a support network and resource to individuals with disabilities and their families by providing conferences, DVD and print resources, consultations, workshops and networking opportunities on the national and local level.
    Phone:  (888) 532-3389 toll free
  • Smartphone Apps and Resources for People with Vision Loss or Impairment
    This guide is a resource describing smartphone apps and resources for people with vision loss or vision impairment and covers Apple, Android, and Standalone apps, as well as the native abilities of these platforms.
  • The Victorious Missionaries
    This is a unique, uplifting and united organization that provides spiritual support for persons with disabilities, chronic illness or those who want to walk the journey with them. We offer programs and publications throughout the year.
    Phone: (618) 394-6281
  • United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
    This is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is drawn from the universal law of the Church and applies to the Episcopal conferences which are established all over the world for the same purpose.
    Phone: (202) 541-3000
  • Xavier Society for the Blind
    Its mission is a simple one: to make writings on religion and spirituality available to the blind. It has now added large print, audiocassette and most recently digital formats to its Braille offerings.
    Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ
    Phone: (212) 473-7800 or (800) 637-9193

Utah Resources for People with Disabilities:

There are many resources in Utah for people with disabilities. Below is a list of resources which may meet your needs for advocacy, assistive technology, healthcare, housing, mental health, Social Security and more. In addition to those listed here, check out Work Ability Utah for even more, including information about employment.

Advocacy:

  • LCPD (Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities)
    The Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities advocates for Utah public policy for people with disabilities. The LCPD is made up of individuals with disabilities, their families, advocacy groups, providers, professionals, and agencies.
  • Disability Law Center
    Designated as the Protection and Advocacy agency for the state of Utah to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Utah.
    Phone:  (800) 662-9080 Toll Free

Assistive Technology:

  • Utah Center for Assistive Technology
    U.C.A.T. is the statewide resource for Assistive Technology information, equipment review, assessment and modification, and the exploration of assistive technology funding options. Our Visions and Values can be summed up with six words: Teamwork, Innovation, Expertise, Excellence, Respect, and Accountability.
    Phone:  (801) 887-9380
  • Utah Assistive Technology Program
    Serving individuals with disabilities of all ages in Utah and the intermountain region, by providing AT devices and services, and training to university students, parents, children with disabilities and professional service providers about AT. We coordinate our services with community organizations and others who provide independence-related support to individuals with disabilities.
    Phone:  (800) 524-5152 Toll Free