CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY

God's Word: Life-Giving Truth - Programs

Education and Training
Equipping the church for the ministry is at the heart of Joni and Friends. Education and training will be a central thrust of the CID in order to better prepare laity, professionals and ministers for the work of disability ministry. Developing materials and coursework from the grassroots level to higher academia will allow Joni and Friends to have an impact across the globe in bringing a biblical worldview on disability and the role the church is to play in evangelizing, including and empowering the disabled. Programs will include:

• Degree Offerings - Various degree programs from undergraduate degrees to graduate degrees through partnerships with highly respected and recognized seminaries and institutions of higher learning
• Certificate Programs - Degree seeking certificates with transferable units as well as non-degree seeking certificates for continued education
• Web-based Education - Offering online courses and certificate programs as well as downloadable materials and training videos
• Training Conferences and Summits - Expanded national and international training, lectures and seminars, as well as on-site training for churches and institutions
• Curriculum Development - Fully developed disability training manuals, church curriculum for awareness, bible studies, small group ministry as well as an online e-library with the archived works of Joni Eareckson Tada and other disability related materials

Public Policy
Human life can now be copied and replicated, altered and aborted, cloned and euthanized, patented and redefined. It is culture's fundamental fear of disability and suffering which is fueling the maddening pace towards eugenics, embryonic stem cell research and the redefinition of what it means to be human. The Policy Center of the CID will bring together theologians, ethicists, educators, doctors and attorneys to address these hotly debated disability-related issues and present a clear, reasonable and biblically-based perspective on these issues. Areas of focus will be:

• Dissemination of position papers on issues of bioethics and sanctity of life - Providing a clear and concise biblical view on these important issues by utilizing an interdisciplinary peer-review approach. Papers for laity in the church as well as journal publications for the academic world will be developed. In addition, web-based availability and interaction will be emphasized.
• Debate Team - Responding to secular and humanistic views by addressing bioethics and sanctity of life issues in public debates
• Advocacy - Resource Center for assistance on social and sanctity of life issues and the creation of a network of organizations, agencies and advocates
• Research - Professional and academic contributions and the development of Fellows (Project Teams) for topical and cultural topics
• Consortium - Creation of a "Think Tank" of Christian minds and a coming together through forums, summits and international congress

Internship
Every year thousands of volunteers serve the disabled around the world in short-term missionary opportunities through Joni and Friends and other disability related ministries. Outside of this annual experience, volunteers have little opportunity to continue to learn about disability ministry and have the opportunity for continued hands on training. The Internship Department of the CID will provide a structured "learning experience" whereby interns receive education and training on disability ministry while experiencing hands on training at the same time. Students from colleges, universities and seminaries will also have the opportunity to receive transferable credits towards a degree for their training and experience. Specifics include:

• Experiential Learning - Giving interns hands on experience while studying in the classroom at the same time will greatly enhance the overall learning experience for students. Training will take place residentially at the JAF Headquarters, virtually via online with a supervisor and through various national and international affiliates.
• Program Models - Various models will be structured for flexibility and optimization of resources including two-week to twelve-month internship options. Areas of ministry will include local ministry within the church, Family Retreats, Wheels for the World and other international options. In addition, students will have the option of certificate course work for continued education or for credit transfer to a college, university or seminary.
• Potential Interns - Intern candidates will include: seminary students, college and university students, training schools students, missionaries, life-long learners and JAF volunteers/short-term missionaries.