Open hearts, Open doors

Conference on faith-community access across the spectrum of abilities

CLEMMONS —Trinity Elms Health & Rehab, a skilled-nursing facility, will host a one-day conference on participation, outreach, welcome, and accessibility among individuals with physical, mental, and emotional challenges in congregations. Faith leaders, parish nurses, counselors, and therapists will hear from speakers addressing living with autism, cerebral palsy, HIV, ADHD, anxiety and other issues that might present barriers to participation in the church, synagogue and mosque.

The conference, titled “Open Hearts, Open Doors: Access Across the Spectrum of Abilities in the Faith Community,” takes place on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the facility, 7449 Fair Oaks Dr., Clemmons. Registration fee of $25 includes breakfast and lunch, snacks and materials. Breakfast will be offered at 7:30. Participants will receive 6 hours of continuing education credits. Seating is limited to the first 50 registrants. To register, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2717 335, or go to brownpapertickets.com and search for “access conference.”

Keynote speaker is Shannon Dingle, a blogger and the mother of six children, several of whom have accessibility issues. Dingle holds a degree in interpersonal and organization communication and a Master of Arts in Education, specializing in autism and learning disabilities.

Speakers include Andy Hagler, executive director of the Mental Health Association in the Triad, and Kim Shufran, founding director of iCan House in Winston-Salem. Hagler has directed the association for 20 years and holds master’s degrees in both counseling and public affairs. Shufran has experience in clinical nursing, management and organizational development. The iCan House is a 501(c)(3) organization serving people with Aspergers, ADHD, anxiety, and high-functioning autism.