Disabilities Network Names Poster Contest Winners
Goshen, Ind. August 4, 2011. Building relationships with people who have autism was the subject of the top entry in a disabilities poster contest sponsored by Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) in July.
The grand prize poster created by Hailey Hagen features a ribbon made of brightly colored puzzle pieces surrounding the words, "Autism: Don't let it speak, let them." The puzzle pieces contain words that encourage building relationships with people with autism: dignity, kindness, respect, include, learn, enjoy, etc. Some of these words spell out the message, "Speak with them, not for them." Hagen lives in Telford, Pa., and attends Towamencin Mennonite Church in Kulpsville, Pa.
Posters in the contest addressed themes of disability inclusion, advocacy, or etiquette. Artists submitted posters online and at the Pittsburgh 2011 gathering of Mennonite Church USA , July 4-8.
Other winning posters were submitted by Abby Graber and Madeline Gerig of Assembly Mennonite, Goshen, Ind.; Derek Reinhardt and Karen Johnson of Sonnenberg Mennonite, Kidron, Ohio.; Shelby Roth of First Mennonite, Iowa City, Iowa; Hannah Johnson of Eighth Street Mennonite, Goshen, Ind.; Justina Woolford of Philippi Mennonite, Philippi, W.Va., and Haila Bay of Fort Collins Mennonite, Fort Collins, Colorado. A slideshow of their artwork is online at www.adnetonline.org/posters.
Organized in 2003, ADNet is a national inter-Mennonite advocacy ministry committed to supporting families and equipping the church for inclusive communities. Contact Program Director Christine Guth, 877-214-9838, for more information, or visit www.adnetonline.org.
