Pilgrimage Accommodations B Y KA RY E L L E N B E RG E R
As members of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati prepare to participate in the 33-day Marian Pilgrimage, the archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities, in connection with the Center for the New Evangelization, are ensuring all who want to participate in the pilgrimage may do so.
be easier to navigate,” said Collis-DeVito. “We [also] plan to have three adaptive prayer opportunities along the pilgrimage route for persons with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities. These will take place in the northern, Dayton and Cincinnati regions.”
Those who are homebound are also encouraged to participate “It is incredibly important for the Office for Persons with in the pilgrimage virtually. Disabilities and Center for the New Evangelization to collaborate to provide necessary accommodations during the Collis-DeVito shared that there is a resource page for those Marian Pilgrimage to ensure that persons with disabilities looking for all the accommodations and their families have full access to provided by the Office for Persons with the faith,” said Noelle Collis-DeVito, Disabilities and the Center for the New Associate Director of the archdiocesan Evangelization. That information can be Office for Persons with Disabilities. “This found on the pilgrimage website, www. pilgrimage is meant to be a way for our Our hope is to create a mary2021.org entire archdiocese to collectively come together in prayer, and when we do not culture of inclusion and “Our hope is to create a culture of inclusion provide the necessary accommodations meaningful participation and meaningful participation for persons for people with disabilities we are not a with disabilities and their families here whole Church.” for persons with in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,” said disabilities... Collis-DeVito. “We want to provide an During all large pilgrimage events – opportunity for persons with disabilities including the Mass and concert at the to truly participate in this pilgrimage and for this event to be Maria Stein Shrine, Mass with Archbishop Schnurr and an example of what can be done at a parish level to create a concert at Roger Glass Stadium in Dayton, and the concert at sense of belonging for all.” Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati – will all include American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, according to Those with questions or requesting information about Collis-DeVito. Sensory-friendly tents will also be available at accommodations during the pilgrimage are encouraged to these large events. contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, the archdiocese is planning to utilize select “If you are a parish, don’t be afraid to call or reach out even routes of the 33-day pilgrimage that are accessible to those with a little question,’’ said Collis-DeVito. “We are happy with mobility issues. to help and would love to be a resource to create a culture of inclusion and meaningful participation here in the “These accessible portions of the pilgrimage will be located on Archdiocese of Cincinnati.” flat, paved paths that will avoid major intersections and should 3 6 | TH E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
