For 125 years, Xavier Society has provided free, accessible reading materials to blind and visually impaired Catholics, assisting them in learning about, developing, and practicing their faith. While sighted Catholics expect the availability of printed Missalettes and other religious texts in their parishes, Xavier Society’s accessible materials remain essential to our patrons for leading an active Catholic life. The Mass Propers in braille remain at the heart of our mission. Also, we provide Sunday Mass readings in Spanish braille, and our production of audiobooks is robust. Recently we released an update of the New American Bible, Revised Edition in audio. Now, this version of The Bible is available for download on smartphones, and we’ve reintroduced the Bible and Mass Propers in extra-large print. Xavier Society continuously explores ways using technology, freelance experts, and partnerships with other organizations, to offer a greater variety of accessible reading material to our faithful patrons.

Malachy and his wife Maureen are proud parents of three daughters and a son. Since September 2016 Malachy has served as Executive Director for Xavier Society for the Blind in New York City. Prior to joining Xavier Society, Malachy held a variety of roles with S&P Global, in New York City and Dallas, TX. Currently enrolled in The New York Botanical Garden’s Continuing Education program, Malachy enjoys gardening, reading about Irish history, sailing, and traveling with his family. Malachy holds a B.S., M.B.A., and M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University.

Learn about how a ministry developed for middle and high school students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) evolved into an active and thriving community for teens and young adults with IDD at a parish in Johns Creek, GA. Through photos, stories, and testimonies from individuals in the ministry, Tricia will share what a typical session looks like, specific examples of adaptations and sacramental preparation, the role of volunteers, how parents are supported, and practical tips for getting started with an adapted youth ministry program.

Tricia has served as the coordinator for her parish’s adaptive youth ministry program for 6 years. Along with her family she was a volunteer mentor in the ministry for 5 years prior to accepting her role as coordinator. In addition to adaptive youth nights and sacramental preparation, the ministry organizes special events throughout the year such as prom and community events for families with children of any age affected by disability such as Trunk or Treat, Carnival, and Sensory Friendly Masses. Tricia is passionate about creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and included and can participate fully in the life of the Church.

Too often in the Church, conversations about persons with disabilities are limited to the issues of service and inclusion, as if persons with disabilities are objects of our service at best or, at worst, persons whom we merely must open our doors to. A more authentic approach recognizes that persons with disabilities are persons we should be learning from in the Church, for disability offers a unique lens to understand what it means to be fundamentally human, and what it means to be Church. Combining anthropology with Christology, this talk offers a theology of disability and an ecclesiological praxis that moves from mere inclusion to belonging, from service to mutual enrichment. It is in receiving and sharing the gifts that each person brings that we become the united body of Christ, where each person belongs.

Lillie (Romeiser) Rodgers works in campus and pastoral ministry in Laramie, Wyoming. She has worked with individuals with disabilities for twenty-five years in pastoral settings and through a non-profit, faith-based organization called Camp Hope of Illinois. She has a BA in Religion from Princeton University and a Masters of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame. She enjoys trail running and backcountry skiing in the nearby mountains with her husband, Patrick, and of course raising their two young, rambunctious daughters.

In this session, a panel of nonprofit leaders share their stories of supporting Catholic education through advocacy and philanthropy. Not all schools include students with disabilities for a variety of reasons. Supporting students with disabilities in schools often takes entities outside of the Catholic schools’ office and beyond the administrative offices of the diocese. These organizations seek to remove barriers and make inclusion possible. Often led by passionate individuals with a personal stake, these organizations pursue a mission of inclusivity that is deeply personal, a labor of love, and not for the faint of heart. Learn how they got started, why they persist, and what they experience in the way of obstacles and successes.

Dr. Colleen McCoy-Cejka is the secretary of the board for the NCPD and a member of the NCPD Catholic Schools Committee. She is the owner of Inclusion Solutions, LLC, a company that supports faith-based schools across the country that seek to include students with disabilities. She is a Catholic educator with over 27 years of experience in 3 dioceses as a teacher, administrator, and assistant superintendent. With her husband Joel, she raised 2 amazing sons, one of whom is autistic.

As people of faith, we believe every human person has intrinsic value and deserves to be cared for throughout their entire life, regardless of their abilities. However, what will happen to our loved ones with IDD once their primary caregivers pass away? Caregivers, parents, and persons with special needs eventually must face the nerve-wracking reality of enormous waiting lists for residential services in the United States. Finding residential placements for adult children is no simple task and many parents try to start their own non-profit or housing agency merely so their child can survive after a parent has passed away. Parents can find themselves isolated and suddenly way out of their line of expertise – founding, managing, and funding a business adventure in their twilight years. Come learn about important questions to ask when considering starting a new non-profit agency and current options available for long term IDD residential housing.

After losing a bet to her cousin with Down Syndrome, Angie had to attend an adaptive summer camp in 2006 and has been in love with the disability community ever since. Angie holds an undergraduate degree in Biomechanical Engineering from Marquette University with a minor in Theology. After spending a couple of years in corporate engineering, Angie was invited to considering joining a L’Arche community and live together in a home of persons both with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nearly 10 years later, Angie is still a live-in IDD residential group home manager and has worked with multiple companies across the country. Angie is a current 2025 candidate for an Executive Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Administration from the University of Notre Dame. She hopes to use her degree to spread the word about the need for inclusive communities in our world to create spaces for everyone to belong.

Millions of adults in the United States provide billions of dollars of unpaid care to family members, friends, and others in our communities. These caregivers are present in our parishes, and the unique concerns they face in their journeys with vulnerable loved ones offer abundant opportunities for intentional ministry. Yet, to date, there has been a lack of theologically and spiritually sound resources in the Catholic tradition that provide specific, ongoing support and encouragement for persons who care. This workshop-style presentation will provide the context of what constitutes Catholic Christian caregiving, the scriptural supports that caregivers can access, and activities that parishes and groups of caregivers can engage in to not only build individual spiritual strength and enthusiasm for the sacraments and other resources in the Church, but also to increase among all the faithful the presence of caregivers and the example they set as followers of Christ.

Maureen Pratt, MTS, MFA, is an award-winning, Catholic journalist, author, speaker, and retreat leader whose work and ministry focus on the “tough places” where Catholic faith and spirituality meet disability, chronic illness, ongoing pain, Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and the effects of aging. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University, she is the founder of The Peace in the Storm Project, a national ministry of pastoral accompaniment for caregivers and persons living with ongoing health and other challenges. She is also the author of the Peace in the Storm Series books, including Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness and Peace in the Storm for Caregivers. Maureen resides in Los Angeles. She has been a caregiver to several family members and lives with lupus and other chronic, often disabling conditions. Her websites are www.maureenpratt.com and www.thepeaceinthestormproject.com

Decoding the Spirit offers a practical method for understanding how the sensory perception of persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)and similar Neurological differences can be applied toward religious education and spirituality. The Religious Education Sensory Profile is a simple tool that exposes the commonalities of human sensory reactions. Understanding the commonalities rather than the differences can lead toward a deeper connection to the unique behaviors that are experienced in children with ASD.

Dr. Smitheman Brown is a catechist, special educator, and clinical art therapist. Dr. Smitheman Brown has been educating children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurological differences in preparation for receiving and understanding of the Sacraments for 20 years. She has developed The Religious Education Sensory Profile, a tool designed to elicit the children’s sensory responses that allow the catechist to decode the cause of specific behaviors that may interfere with religious education.

The Canadian federal government legalized both assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2016. As Catholics, we recognize that these life-ending measures are a distortion of God’s plan for our lives, and an offense against the inherent dignity of the human person. What do Church teachings and Catholic thinkers have to say? Why should euthanasia and assisted suicide be considered disability rights issues, and how can parishioners advocate against them from a disability rights perspective? What lethal mistakes have Canadian health and legal authorities made, that policymakers in the United States should not repeat as they explore the issue? Attendees will learn answers to questions like these, as well as both policy and personal solutions to the problems of ending one’s life prematurely.

Taylor Hyatt has been involved in disability policy since 2015, including advising a parliamentarian on his response to Bill C-14 – the federal legislation introducing euthanasia in Canada – as it was being written. Taylor’s interest in bioethics grew out of her personal experience with mobility disabilities and neurodivergence. She has served as a member of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, as well as the Council of Canadians with Disabilities’ Ending-of-Life Ethics Committee. She served as Policy Analyst at Toujours Vivant-Not Dead Yet from 2017-early 2020, and now works in the Canadian federal public service. Her articles and interviews have appeared at the CBC, Global News, the Ottawa Citizen, the Catholic Register, and Rehumanize International. Taylor has practiced her Catholic faith since her teenage years – first motivated by Church teaching on the dignity of all persons. She attends both St. Mary’s Parish & Saint Patrick’s Basilica in Ottawa, Ontario.

The faith journeys of parents of children with disabilities are a rich source of knowledge of God’s gratuitous and unconditional love. This study identified five emerging themes that reflect the rich but complex strengths and fragilities of parents’ faith journeys. This study seeks to amplify parents’ stories and their narratives of hope-in-tension. Their prophetic vulnerability both informs and challenges understandings of Christian anthropology, the centrality of faith, and the vocation of marriage. We will also explore concrete pastoral recommendations in three critical areas: ecclesiology, catechesis, and ministry.

Peter J. Ductrám is a practical theologian and currently serves as the Senior Director of Ministries for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. He was born in Lima, Peru, and has served in ministry in Peru, Chile, Brazil, and the United States. Mr. Ductrám is the father of three wonderful children, one of whom was diagnosed with multiple disabilities at the age of three. He is a Ph.D. candidate at Palm Beach Atlantic University and holds a Master of Arts in Theology (2005) and a Master of Divinity with a specialization in the Bible (2015) from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Additionally, he earned a graduate certificate in Judeo-Christian relations from Georgetown University. He also currently serves as a national consultant on catechesis for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

A catechist, classroom teacher and parent all play significant roles in a child’s education and faith formation. What better way to foster the realization of living Gospel values in the Body of Christ than learning how to serve our children and adults better with differing needs and disabilities and by doing so, how to serve everyone better. This presentation will explore how we all benefit when we include persons with disabilities and learn or pray together. By equipping educators with best practices including universal design for learning, addressing fears, parent partnership, multi-sensorial learning and role playing this presentation connects this work to a greater evangelization in our communities.

Jennifer Kirsch is serving as the principal and director of Stella Maris Collaborative, the first Catholic microschool in Texas, at a local Catholic parish, serving middle school children of various learning needs. Prior to that, she and others founded Shepherd Them All, a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping educators with the tools to serve children with differing needs in Catholic parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin. Our Finding the Gift workshop has become an annual event for catechists and parents while also serving 10 schools with education to further the goal of including more children in schools and parish programs. Our All Abilities basketball and Olympics events have been a well-attended and fun way to bring families together to adapt and share gifts. Jennifer also teaches history, Latin, entrepreneurship and religion as a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist. Jennifer enjoys reading, hiking and playing soccer with her three children (one who happens to have Down syndrome and another who has dyslexia) and husband in Austin, Texas.

Participate of an adaptive trust prayer which will lead into practical ideas to plan and implement parish retreats with children and youth with disAbilities. A step-by-step retreat planning tool will serve in making an adaptive retreat experience meaningful for everybody. Learn how to effectively involve parish staff, volunteers, and parents as partners in ministry.

Ana Barraza is an international bilingual speaker, certified Special Education teacher, and Master Catechist with certifications in Digital Evangelization and Catholic Digital Entrepreneurship. She is part of the Loyola Press Speaker Corps, the head of the Ministry for Catholics with disAbilities for the Diocese of Sacramento, and an Adaptive Faith Formation catechetical leader. Ana presents workshops on how to catechize and evangelize through hands-on activities, creative ways, and the richness of cultural diversity both in-person and virtual. Her website, Catholicus.info, and social media are her contribution to Adaptive Digital Evangelization and Catechesis. Ana has served in various ministries for more than 30 years, including roles as a diocesan and parish catechetical leader, youth and music minister, DRE, retreat and choir director, and digital evangelizer.

Typically, adoration takes place in a reverent environment with strict limitations on noise and movement, making it difficult for many persons with disabilities to feel welcome. Learn how to design an equally reverent adoration that is sensory-friendly, allowing a wider range of worship. This session will explore a guidebook created by NCPD’s Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for offering a sensory friendly adoration. The guidebook describes everything from creating a friendly environment, training greeters, hosting a social and liturgical considerations

Josh Ruoff is a is a member of the NCPD Physical Disabilities Committee. He was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas in a strong Catholic family. He has a master’s in social work from Washburn University in Topeka, KS. In August of 2021, Josh became the Lead Consultant for the Special Needs Ministry for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS. The mission of this role is to serve and support parishes in facilitating opportunities for a relationship with Christ by ensuring the fullest participation possible in the Catholic faith for all parishioners, regardless of ability. Josh has a unique perspective on being the “front runner” for making sure this mission is fulfilled; he was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair for mobility, but he is blessed to be able to stay totally independent; he grew up in the Catholic Church as an individual with a disability, and that gave him the perspective to know where the humanity of the Church thrives and where improvements could be made when it comes to serving individuals with disabilities. Josh is a firm believer that individuals with disabilities have a specific purpose in God’s Divine plan.

Lisa is the Deaf and Disabilities Ministries Coordinator for Catholic Charities Kansas City-St. Joseph. She is also the Founder of Chicago’s Still Point Theatre Collective and established Still Point’s outreach program, The Imagination Workshop, for adults with developmental disabilities. She has also worked with L’Arche and was one of the first two live-in assistants for L’Arche Heartland. She is a Spiritual Director and has served on the Spiritual Life Committee for L’Arche Chicago. She is also the author of Above, Along, Inside, and Through: Poems, Prayers, and Reflections, a spiritual memoir. Recently, she co-produced with Still Point Theatre Collective and Rush University Hospital None of Us Want to Stand Still, a film advocating for better health care for individuals living with developmental disabilities.

Catholic schools are increasingly opening their doors to students with a variety of disabilities. We will examine legal challenges and opportunities to get more support from the state and/or the public school district, whether it be in services or funds to meet the needs of students. Topics will include the Child Find/eligibility process, the equitable share of federal/state funds, and school choice initiatives in different states. Funds and public services are one part of the equation, however; Catholic schools must be equipped to welcome and serve students with disabilities in their classrooms. We will also explore how teachers and administrators can support students with learning, attention, and behavioral challenges. Using an occupational therapy approach, Catholic schools can make their classrooms more accessible to children with and without disabilities.

Graduates of Notre Dame Law School and passionate disability rights advocates, Professors Jones and Webb staff its new Special Education Law Clinic. While the Clinic serves public school students, it seeks to address gaps in services and funding for Catholic schools. Professor Christina Jones previously directed William & Mary Law School’s Clinic and subsequently worked for the U.S. Marine Corps, representing military families in special education matters.

Prior to her arrival at Notre Dame Law School, Professor Veronica Webb worked as a pediatric occupational therapist in Redondo Beach, California, where she provided sensory integration therapy to children with a variety of special needs. As a Clinical Fellow, Professor Webb helps teach and supervise law students working on special education cases. She is currently earning her doctorate in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California, and her dissertation involves assisting Catholic schools in meeting children’s occupational therapy needs.

iCare Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit corporation that was formed in 2016 by four individuals who were classmates at a high school seminary in Kansas City, Kansas in the 1980’s. During their youth, they had experience working with the REACH program that provided adapted Masses and religious education to the special needs population of Kansas City and Topeka in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they felt a calling to restart the program that became dormant in 2000, and, with the help of dedicated volunteers and a wonderful priest by the name of Father Bill Bruning, iCare Ministries had their first Mass in September 2016 at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park, Kansas. iCare now provides two adapted Masses per month, religious education, sacramental prep, socials, and an overnight Summer Camp. Most importantly, iCare provides a sense of community and acceptance for persons with special needs and their families that is often missing at the local parish level.

This presentation will tell the story of iCare Ministries, Inc., a grassroots organization serving individuals with special needs and their families that was started in the year 2016, in Overland Park, Kansas. The presentation will cover how the inspiration of a 1970’s ministry called REACH inspired several volunteers to start a ministry that provides adapted Masses, sacramental prep, religious education, and socials to hundreds of persons with special needs and their families in Metropolitan Kansas City. It will cover the steps, challenges, and blessings that have made iCare Ministries what it is today.

The phrase “It’s not rocket science” can apply to many things—including catechesis. Organizing engaging catechesis for young persons with special needs may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Adults often overthink the process, over-plan programs, and struggle to think outside the box. In this session, discover how one parish tapped into the incredible gifts of adolescent parishioners to offer an engaging, inclusive experience through an Adaptive Religious Education Program. When young persons accompany one another on their faith journeys, everyone involved soars—contributing meaningfully to the life of the Church.

Sherry Moitoza serves as the Director of Social Concerns at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Her ministry focuses on service, advocacy, and accommodation. Her pride and joy for the past ten years is the Adaptive Religious Education program, which trains teens as mentors to provide catechesis for young persons with special needs. Saint Rose received the 2017 Loyola Press Opening Doors Award in partnership with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. That same year the program was highlighted during the ‘Catechesis and Persons with Disabilities: A Necessary Engagement in the Daily Pastoral Life of the Church’ conference in Rome. Sherry presents on this topic at local parishes, dioceses, and national conferences. Sherry and her husband have three children, one of which has a special needs.