Join the Religion and Spirituality Division!
The Religion & Spirituality Division is one of thirteen professional divisions within the AAIDD. Religion & Spirituality Division members include chaplains, clergy, religious educators, coordinators of ministries with people with disabilities, residential ministries, and staff from a variety of disciplines and settings who share a common commitment to the role of faith and spirituality in services with people with developmental disabilities.
Benefits of joining the Religion and Spirituality Division
- All of the benefits of AAIDD Membership!
- Electronic subscription to the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health.
- Automatically be added to our monthly Religion and Spirituality Division Email Newsletter
Join the AAIDD or renew your membership today!
(Be sure to join the Religion and Spirituality Division when you sign up)
There has Never been a Better Time to Join the Division
by Bill Gaventa
I’ve been part of the Religion and Spirituality Division for more than 30 years. We used to be a larger group when many of the members were chaplains in institutional settings. But the service and support system has radically changed as we have all worked on helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find opportunities to express and live their faith in places where they feel welcomed and accepted.
Why now?
First, the AAIDD has been working hard to change along with the system of services and supports, so that it now includes the voices of families, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, direct support staff, and others. It is still the premier professional organization, a leader in research and policy, but there is now a broader tent and a bigger community. The Religion and Spirituality Division has, over the years, set a standard for what a Division within the AAIDD can be.
Second, over the years, a number who have joined the Division have not felt welcomed by the journals, or felt that they were not applicable to their work in ministry. One of the AAIDD journals, the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) is indeed very scientific and that is one key strength of the Association. The other, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, has many articles about policies and practices that we in ministries with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities need to see and understand if we are to minister effectively within a wider system. You have to know the language and the issues. Both have had articles on spiritual and religious issues over time.
Third, membership dues used to be pretty high for people working in ministries and religious supports. But the AAIDD has just overhauled its membership structure, so that one can join as a basic member for $75 or more, access the AAIDD journals on line rather than by hard copy, and receive all other membership benefits. You can add the Religion and Spirituality Division on top of that for just $30 and that comes with an electronic subscription to the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health as well as access to all past issues. Anyone who is a member of AAIDD can do so as well, and the deal is even better for members overseas.
And, finally, fourth, there are just terrific people in our Division, new leadership, new ways to connect with people from many professional and faith backgrounds (e.g., our monthly e-newsletter), and ways to work collaboratively as we, together, work and advocate for the respect due to the spiritual and religious needs and gifts of the people whom we all serve. That won’t happen magically. We need the gifts of your experience and insights as much as many of us have utilized the work and insights of many in the Division and the wider AAIDD. Come help us work for what we all pray for.
Feel free to pass this on to others who might be interested, those both in ministries but also those interested in the power of spiritual and religious supports. And change it, to add your own reasons!