DISABILITY MINISTRY MILESTONES 2.............

Continuing to share with you the Disability Ministry Milestones of the Catholic Church in the United States, provided by CUSA, an Apostolate For Persons With Chronic Illness Or Disability; which I learned about at the National Catholic Partnership for Disability NCPD Convention 2013, in Houston Texas, two weeks ago - here are today's highlighted dates and details, for your information and consideration...

1949 - International Catholic Deaf Association, ICDA founded begun by Deaf adults.
1950 - Monsignor Elmer Behrmann, establishes the Department of Special Education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri.
1954 - The American Federation of Catholic Workers for the Blind and Visually Handicapped founded.
1964 - Victorious Missionaries founded at Our Lady of the Snows in Bellview, Illinois; by Father John Maronic, O.M.I., whose Cause for Canonization was initiated in 2004.
1964 - L'Arche begun by Jean Vanier who welcomed two men with Intellectual Disabilities into his home in Trosly Breuil France; it has grown to Homes in 40 Countries on 6 Continents.
1966 - SPRED, (Special Religious Education) founded in Chicago, Illinois; by Father James McCarthy, and Sister Mary Therese Harrington. 
1968 - National Apostolate for the Mentally Retarded, (NAMR) founded by Parents and Pastoral Workers.  Name changes to National Apostolate for Mentally Retarded Persons (NAMRP) National Apostolate with Persons with Mental Retardation (NAPMR) National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (NAfIM)

NAfIM merged with the NCPD at the Partnership '13 two weeks ago...To Be Continued.............Father Troy David Powers