History of ADN

Before ADN: Disability Advocacy

“Mennonite Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities,” an article by Paul D. Leichty, tells the story of efforts among Mennonites to welcome persons with disabilities that eventually led to the formation of Anabaptist Disabilities Network. Published in the Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health and in the book Disability Advocacy Among Religious Organizations: Histories and Reflections, edited by Albert A. Herzog. Here are some highlights:

• 1960s Mennonite Mental Health Services (MMHS) was established under the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). A Developmental Disabilities Council was formed under the direction of MMHS to assist congregations, families, and organizations that served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• 1979 MMHS shifted to an administrative and policy-setting role. A full-time staff member was hired.
• 1980s MMHS was renamed Mennonite Developmental Disability Services (MDDS) with committees in each MCC region, some with paid staff members.
• 1988 MMHS was renamed Mennonite Health Services (MHS)
• 1990s MHS separated from MCC with a focus on supporting agencies/organizations, leaving disability advocacy work in limbo.
• 1994 Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) assumed responsibility for advocacy ministries, alongside their stewardship work. Hired part-time consultants produced advocacy resources for the church.
• 2002 MMA decided to focus on its stewardship core and the disability advocacy programs were eliminated. A small group of concerned parents formed an ad hoc committee. After making contacts with MHS, service providers, and officials from Mennonite Church USA, the committee determined that no church agency was willing to pick up sponsorship of the advocacy programs even though they all agreed such programs were needed. This group of parents pulled together a larger group of parents, individuals with disabilities, and friends to form a new organization, Anabaptist Disabilities Network, to carry on the work.

Early History of ADN

• 2003: incorporated in the state of Indiana, recognized as 501(c)(3) charitable corporation
• 2004: first meeting of the Board of Directors. Office in College Mennonite Church Peach Center
• 2013: office moves to the new Mennonite Church USA office building in Elkhart, Indiana

Key Leaders

• Founding members: Sheila Yoder, Paul Leichty, Cindy Baker, Sherry Wenger, Joyce Pankratz
• Jim Smith, board president (2004-2018)
• Paul Leichty, paid administrator (2004-2011)
• Christine Guth, field associate, program director, executive director (2006-2016)
• Timothy Burkholder, executive director (2013-2015)
• Kathleen Nofziger, executive director (2015-2019)
• Denise Reesor, program director (2016-2018)
• Jeanne Davies, program director, executive director (2018–)
• Eldon Stoltzfus, executive director (2019-2020)
• Emily Hunsbaker, office administrator, communications director (2019–)
• Zoë Brown, office administrator (2023–)

Partnerships with Denominations

• Church of the Brethren:
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Resolution of the Church of the Brethren (1994)
  • Commitment of Accessibility and Inclusion (2006)
  • Official Partnership with the Church of the Brethren (2017)
• Mennonite Church USA:
  • General Conference Mennonite Church Disability Resolution (1983)
  • Disability support at MennoCon (2017)
  • MC USA Accessibility Resolution (2022)

Published Resources and Programs

• Field Associate Program (2006)
• Supportive Care in the Congregation (2011)
• After We’re Gone (2011)
• Circles of Love (2015)
• Barrier Free Grant Program (2019)
• Mental Health Resource for Congregations (2020)
• Accessibility Resolution Study Guide (2022)
• Believing and Belonging: An Accessible Anabaptist Membership Curriculum (2023)