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A Chance for Churches to Become All-Abilities Inclusive

FAVE Business Solutions Offers Inclusion Support Train the Trainer Course for Area Churches

By Beth Bell, Publisher October 13, 2019


Churches in the region are invited to participate in a train-the-trainer course being offered by FAVE, Facilitating Awareness and Valuable Experiences, on October 25, 2019 that will provide them with the knowledge to welcome and support an all-abilities inclusive community.  Participants will learn through real world scenarios and guided practice. They will leave with the tools, resources and action plans to begin adapting their church’s programs and teachings to meet their members’ needs.

The 6-hour course is designed to provide church leaders with the knowledge and tools to “Check for Communication: Stop, Evaluate, Accommodate” for individuals impacted by Autism, Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, and other communication or cognitive impairments.   Participants in the course will receive a training manual and access to a PowerPoint training to take back and train the rest of their department.  The goal is to help others to recognize the characteristics often associated with communication or cognitive impairments, identify potential barriers or possible medical concerns, and identify potential accommodations to enhance communication and safe interactions.




Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church has implemented the teachings of this training to establish an all-abilities inclusive community.  Andrea, mom to Alexa, acknowledges “knowing that our church has received training for inclusion support demonstrates a commitment to be inclusive not only to our family, but to all families, and we feel more at ease with our daughter’s participation in religious education and youth ministry.” After participating in the training, “Members of the parish are aware of her different needs, and there is an open and direct line of communication to help provide the support. It is so reassuring knowing that her catechists, ministry leaders and other members of our church value Alexa and her participation in all aspects of church life.”

"Inclusion leads to acceptance and acceptance is everything when you have been on the outside all your life.” 

Having a family member with specific needs presents challenges that other families may never have to think about.   These families  “are a segment of the population focusing on how to best fit our atypical child in with normal children and adults who don’t understand them, stare at them, or are even fearful of them.” per Maureen, local mom of Jonny.   Maureen also says this training is a first step in the right direction, “The more time our church family spends with Jonny, the more they understand his very loving and sweet soul. Inclusion leads to acceptance and acceptance is everything when you have been on the outside all your life.” 

It is recommended that each facility registers at least two members to participate in the training to ensure sustainability.  Participating churches will receive FAVE certification and license to use the “Check for Communication” logo in their outreach and signage to let others know they have a commitment to the inclusion of members with all abilities.  In addition, all participants will receive the following tools: 

  • “Check for Communication” Employee Orientation PowerPoint
  • Train-the-trainer Manual
  • Site safety and communication planning tools 
  • Knowledge and resources to create new programs to incorporate the inclusive community

Course Details: 

When: October 25, 2019, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., lunch included

Where: Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church. 2505 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

Cost: $300

How to Register: 

RSVP to Kim McInnis mcinnisk.km@gmail.com or Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faves-inclusion-support-facilitator-workshop-tickets-73113168455?

http://bit.ly/beafavechurch

These trainings may be adapted across all industries, learn more about bringing FAVE certification to your business here: https://fave.solutions/

FAVE is led by founder, Lauren-Lee M. Askew, BCBA/LBA, a highly-trained Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst. The goal of FAVE is for all businesses and organizations to incorporate awareness and safety planning for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and other communication and/or cognitive impairments.Lauren’s vision for the FAVE program and certification is that the Check for Communication symbol will become as recognizable as the physical handicap symbol; that FAVE will facilitate inclusion for those with often “unseen” disabilities and help open new doors and opportunities.