Disabilities and Deaf Ministries Partnership

The Boards of Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) and Anabaptist Deaf Ministries (ABDM) have entered into an agreement for the coming year to raise the visibility and promote the ministries of both organizations in Mennonite and related churches.

Representatives from the ABDM Board met with the ADNet Board at its October 31, 2009 meeting to talk about their common concerns.  Later in the meeting the ADNet Board accepted the proposal which came from the ABDM Board at its meeting earlier in the month. 

The agreement brings clarity and intentional focus to what has been an informal working relationship since ADNet was formed in 2003.  The new understandings mean that ADNet will facilitate a more intentional Deaf Ministries presence with brochures and resources at ADNet's displays at conferences and other church events.  

ADNet and ABDM have shared a post office box and work space in an office provided by College Mennonite Church (CMC) located on the Goshen College Campus.  Under the new arrangements, Sheila Stopher Yoder, one of the co-founders of ADNet, will become the Project Manager of ABDM working 4-8 hours per week from the CMC-based office and using some of ADNet's computer equipment.  Because of Yoder's familiarity with ADNet, she is also providing some volunteer time in office management for the two organizations. 

In turn, Paul Leichty, ADNet Executive Director, will help connect ABDM more fully with the website assistance available through Mennonite.net, for whom he also works as Director of User Services.  ADNet and ABDM will create more visible reciprocal links from their respective websites.

Yoder along with ABDM Board member, Tim Nafziger, explained to the ADNet Board about the two major groups of people that ABDM serves.  Nafziger shared how as the parent of a deaf daughter, he finds friendship and support of other parents in similar circumstances. However, as these children mature and learn American Sign Language (ASL), many, as young adults, identify themselves not as having a disability but as part of the Deaf culture (the capital "D" being intentional).  While churches that minister to families may be able to provide extra services such as ASL interpretation, churches that want to reach out to Deaf adults need to also be aware of the cross-cultural dimensions of their ministry. 

Yoder and Leichty believe that the closer relationship will strengthen the ministries of both organizations.  Says Leichty, "Both of our organizations have the goal of including persons who are often marginalized in the church.  Church-related advocacy organizations such as ADNet and ABDM need to build these partnerships to extend our resources and avoid unnecessary duplication."

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) provides encouragement and resources to families and congregations, as they work to include persons with all types of disabilities in the church and community.  ADNet carries on advocacy ministries earlier developed by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and MMA (Mennonite Mutual Aid).

Anabaptist Deaf Ministries (ABDM) provides nurture and support to families who have deaf children in Anabaptist-related congregations (Mennonites, Brethren, and others). They also serve as a referral source for Deaf related issues within the Anabaptist Deaf churches and fellowships.  ABDM has its roots in earlier Deaf Ministries programs at Mennonite Board of Missions (now part of Mennonite Mission Network).