how?

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being updated to be more user-friendly. I'm leaving up the old, cluttered version in the meantime. Feel free to email me - shannon {at} theworksofgoddisplayed {dot} com if you have any questions before I clean this page up!

I created this blog to write primarily about WHY special needs ministry is a crucial part of what the church is called to be. Part of that, though, is also writing about HOW it is done. Below I have linked to my posts about the hows of special needs ministry, as well as links to other blogs and online resources for more how tos.

Getting started
"But what if I don't know where to start?"
The YES
What disability ministry is
"But what if we don't want to add another program to our church?"
Five ways to make your church more inclusive 
How did my church's special needs ministry start?
"But what if I think that most kids with ___________ are making it up?"
"But what if our special needs ministry is different from yours?" 
Ministering WITH, not just ministering TO 

Q&A posts
Special needs ministry Q&A: Age-appropriate classes, high-sensory youth programs, and adult involvement
Special needs ministry Q&A: Liability, AWANA, number needed for a class, age grouping
Special needs ministry Q&A: Accommodations, distractions in worship services, choir, and youth trips

Leadership
Part 1 and Part 2 of a post called "But what if we don't have someone with your background at our church?"
What stood out at our last leadership training
Training greeters at your church to welcome those with special needs (a post from another blog)
Show grace to yourself. To parents. To volunteers. To the church. To everyone.
Past. Present. Future. Remember that God controls all three.
I'm not [blank] so that I can [blank]: making wise choices
Ministering with an attitude of superiority?
Studying Sardis: Waking up and taking the next step
Learning from Laodicea: No condescending attitudes

Partnering with parents/caregivers
Why partnering with parents is a requirement, not an option
Welcoming parents
How do we respond when their theology is their child?
Messy advocacy vs. partnership
The simple story of a mom's winsome church advocacy
Providing respite care (this is a HUGE topic for special needs ministry, and I'll have more posts coming!)
Respite events without "religious content?" Not at our church 
What parents of children with disabilities want other parents to know
Supporting families or enabling dysfunction?

Being resourceful
A post about finding resources outside of the church
Practical ideas we'll be using this fall

Volunteers
Protecting volunteers
Defining roles for volunteers
Recruiting volunteers from outside of your church
Using teens as special needs ministry volunteers (an article from an external site)
Training teens to be special needs ministry volunteers (a post from another blog)
The vast options for volunteer opportunities in special needs ministry (a post from another blog)

Policies
Special needs ministry policies: Start with the WHY
Your special needs ministry policies are worthless (and possibly damaging) if they just sit on a shelf.
The importance of good health policies
Confidentiality: Why it matters
What's your ministry's elopement plan? 
How can you identify individuals who might need support?
A post from another blog about Sunday school safety and security (not specific to special needs, but still useful)
A lesson in safety from an outing with my kiddos
Using person-first language shows that we focus on people (not categories) 
Access Ministry: It's not a fancy or unique name, but it's ours

Making modifications and accommodations to remove barriers to inclusion
modifying for the individual not the disability
Behavior is communication {5 tips for responding} 
"But what if they can't understand the teaching?"
"Fair" doesn't mean "the same": a series about modifications and accommodations - parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Identifying and emphasizing the essentials
A guest post about helping kids with special needs adjust to changes in your church building
Teaching lessons for all learners
Tips for setting up the physical environment to be welcoming, from my friend Harmony: Part 1 and Part 2
Adapting curriculum for kids with special needs (link to an article on an external site)

Ministry to & with adults with special needs
Description of our adult Sunday school class

Specific special needs
Joy Prom, a big event for teens and adults with special needs
A how-to guide for hosting a prom for teens and adults with disabilities
Joy Prom 2010
Joy Prom 2011 
  
Supporting adoptions of children with special needs
Adoption and Special Needs: Praying for Kirill, plus updates to that post here and here