ASNA is 10 years old this year. We have a number of events planned to celebrate this milestone and we will be undertaking a numbers of research projects to establish the difference ASNA has made over the last 10 years and what still needs to be done. Events so far have included an exciting and informative training day for 40 volunteers with Act 4 and our annual family respite weekend  during the month of April. This year over 130 people attended the weekend. Great weather, company and presentations. Read the comments and feedback from delegates from this event. We are also working on the production of training resources to support volunteers and professionals supporting disabled people and their families. The week at the Christian Resource Exhibition (CRE) brought a number of new contacts for ASNA, many wanting to know more about our work and how we can provide support.

Future events  include a fundraising cycle on the 28th August 2011, SYCAF – Young carers week in Swindon 8th – 12th August and a celebratory Black Tie banquet during the Carers Weekend  7th – 9th October 2011.

Other events include disability awareness training programs around the country and the joint annual training conference for disability coordinators and those supporting people with disabilities and special needs.

On October 7th this year Premier hosted the Enabling Church Conference. A selection of top quality speakers shared their insight for disability through their own experience or that of their families, and offered their Biblical reflections on the subject. The idea was to stimulate a conversation concerning a truly Christian response to disability and disabled people, their inclusion and involvement in every aspect of Church life. Whether you missed the event, or just wanted a reminder of some of the key points, you can listen to all the brilliant talks by following this link. Enabling church resources. You will find a wealth of knowledge and information to help support your ministry in your church and community

Do you work with children and young people with disabilities?

Do you need ideas to help with your projects and programs?

ASNA will be hosting a training session from 10.45 – 3.30pm on the 20th Feb.2011 Oxford Belfry Hotel, Thame, Oxfordshire.

The session will be presented in partnership with Act 4:  an educational charity working to equip adults to engage with all children. Act 4 also works to equip children to make a difference. The training day is completely free of charge to all ASNA volunteers and will cost £15.00 for non-ASNA attendees. Lunch and resources will be provided. As usual, we are able to reimburse all reasonable travelling expenses for ASNA volunteers to enable as many as possible to attend. If you would like to attend, please send an email, text or call 07768298297 no later than 6th February.

Click on the following link for the Training day programme.

For further details call ASNA training coordinator on 01491 821104. Follow this link for ASNA training 2011 booking form. Download and send to ASNA to secure a place.

ASNA in partnership with

A Major conference from Churches for All & Premier Christian Radio.

ASNA is working with other disability ministries in the Church for All partnership to organise a unique conference. In the UK , there are more than 10 million adults and over 700,000 children with disabilities. Churches need to be able to involve people with disabilites in the life of the church community.

This event will broaden and deepen your thinking about disability and the engagement of disabled people with church life and equip you to make a difference in your own church situation.

The conference will take place on the 7th October 2010, at Friends meeting House, 173, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ. Standard Booking is £25 per person. Enablers accompanying disabled delegates – free. To register, follow this link  http://www.premier.org.uk/events/premierevents/enabling%20church.aspx or call 0207 316 1313

To view conference brochure and for further details about workshops, seminars and speakers click this link – Enabling Church conference program

ASNA will be presenting a disability awareness training day at the High Wycombe Adventist Church on the 19th June 2010.

Contact ASNA office for further details.

I often get phone calls from church members around disability and access. I recently received a call from a member….’I am a newly appointed disability coordinator in my church. Do you have any ideas and suggestions to get me started?’ I was able to give a number of suggestions to help get her started. I was particularly pleased to hear that she had the ‘Disability coordinators Manual’ launched in 2008 at the annual disability cocoordinators conference and that she was using it as a reference and training tool. She was finding the manual very useful as an introduction to disability issues and was even quoting references to support her passion and ideas.

This manual was developed by ASNA in partnership with the BUC as a training tool to enable and empower volunteers who support the involvement of disabled members in the life of the church. Disability coordinators also determine and address access issues and raise the awareness of the needs of disabled people with in the church. The manual was  designed in a A4 ringbinders as a resource that could be easily updated.

You can now download the Disability Coordinators Training Manual by following this link on this website! Send us an email once you have downloaded a copy and let us know how useful you find the document. If you would like a ring bound copy of the manual, please email us on info@asna.info.

The Accessible gospel.

ASNA will be presenting  at the Balham SDA Church for their first Disability Awareness training program for 2010

Venue: Balham SDA Church

Date: 17th April 2010

Times:    Morning session starts at 11am  followed by afternoon workshop at 4.30 pm

Contact ASNA office for further details.

What do people say about ASNA training programs?

My eyes have been opened and I now have a greater understanding of the needs of our members with disabilities. (Disability coordinator, London based church)

Thank you for raising the awareness of the needs within our church.

I was pleased to be able to tell my story in my home church. I think many members were enlightened. (Mother of disabled child, London based church)

Very interesting and informaive program. (Church member)

Your passion and committment to the ministry come through in your presentations. (Church Leader)

© Enabling Access 2010

Come and visit ASNA at the Christian Resource Exhibition (CRE) 2010. We will be exhibiting and supporting the new Disability Zone organised by the Church for All partnership. The Disability Zone will consist of training opportunities, resources, information and advice supporting the access to the gospel for everyone. For more information about CRE or Churches for All follow the links above.

 Enabling change, the ASNA disability awareness training program facilitates access to services for people living with disabilities.

One of the greatest barriers to accessing services for people with disabilties is the attitudes of others towards people with disabilites.

Positive ‘can do’ attitudes and a supportive environment, can help change the lives of people living with disabilities. ASNA provides programs that facilitate a positive environment for change.

These programs include the following:

• Disability awareness workshops & seminars
• Disability awareness days
• Deaf awareness training
• Workshops on  – Working with people with visual imparment
• Workshops on  – Understanding learning disabilities
• Understanding people living with disabilities
• Protecting vunerable adults and children
• Protecting children
• Understanding disabilities
• Supporting young carers
• Supporting Adult carers
• Biblical perspective on disability
• Disability and the church

What do people say about ASNA disability awareness training programs.

Thanks for such an inspiring program. I feel we can make changes in our church to ensure access for everyone

You have opened our eyes to so many possibilities.

(Disability coordinators)

For further details or to book a program, contact the ASNA Training coordinator on 01491 821103

The freezing subzero temperatures could not cool the hearts and hospitality of the Dublin SDA Church members as they welcomed Sophia, Nigel and Christopher -James Nicholls to the Dublin SDA Church Disability Awareness day held on the  28th November 2009.

Thanks to the organisation and commitment of the coordinator in Dublin, Dorothy Mulenga, ASNA had an excellent opportunity to provide an afternoon of disability awareness training where members were encouraged to address the barriers preventing inclusion and access to services provided by the church.

Christopher - James and Dorothy

Disability awareness day in Dublin, 28th November 2009

Sophia (ASNA Trainer) and Dorothy (Dublin coordinator)

The morning service was presented by Sharon Platt MacDonald (BUC Health ministries Director). Her enthusiasm and commitment to the ministry was demonstrated through her sermon ‘at the table’.

ASNA trainers Sophia, Nigel with parent carer Mary in the middle

Mary, mother of a young boy with autism, shared her personal experience of the challenges and joys she faces every day caring for her son. Her heart- felt testimony inspired many to support her family and those within the community.

Sophia and Nigel shared their personal testimony and how their experience drew them to start ASNA.  Christopher- James their son, shared his personal experience of living with a brother with severe disabilities and being a young carer. He also described how much he enjoyed the Bright Futures summer break where he was able to meet other young carers giving him a sense of community with others living similar lives as his own.