Providing Access to the Faith
Making sure that Disability Ministry is just as accessible to the people serving as the people being served.
After a strong nudge from the Holy Spirit, Witness to Dignity was formed in 2018 to ensure that Disability-Inclusive practices became standard in faith spaces. Witness to Dignity is a collaborative effort of people with the expertise and experience to make meaningful and lasting change in Churches, Ministries, and Private Schools.
Our Story
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Uniting a passion for faith and belonging
We equip and empower clergy, staff, and volunteers to serve people with Disabilities and Mental Health Needs effectively in Churches and Private Schools. We help you develop skills and strategies without maxing out on time or causing a strain on resources.
Our mission is to help you have the confidence and capacity to serve those with Disabilities and Mental Health Needs in your Churches and Private Schools. Our team has years of experience in Ministry, Theology, Education, Mental and Social-Emotional Health; and Disability Advocacy. We are experts in helping you elevate inclusive practices for Kids, Teens, and Adults with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions without putting a strain on your time or resources. From one non-profit to another, we will meet you wherever you are in the process of becoming more accessible and walk (or wheel) alongside you.
Advocating for Access
We have the resources you need to take your ministry further.
We strive to celebrate each person as a part of the church community. We seek the health and well-being of the whole person, including Spiritual Health. We want to witness to the dignity of those with varying needs and abilities, which includes, but is not limited to, those with:​
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Autism
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Mental Health Conditions, such as Anxiety, Depression, Mood Imbalances, etc.
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ADHD
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Down Syndrome and Other Syndromes
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Physical Disabilities, such as Arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or Spinal Cord Injuries
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​​Cognitive or Processing Disabilities
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Deafness or Hearing Loss
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Vision Loss
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Learning Disabilities, such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, etc.
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Medical Conditions, such as Diabetes, Heart Conditions, AutoImmune Conditions, etc.
Meet Our Team
Ashley is currently a Campus Minister at a Private High School in Alabama. In the past, she has worked as a Youth Minister in urban, suburban, and rural settings in various cities on the East Coast. One of her passions is experiencing music, art, and culture in a space of creativity through the lens of faith, truth, beauty, and goodness.
Ashley Arominski
Board Director
Ashley is a Project Lead for Policy within the Federal Government, runs her own Consulting Business, and serves on the Board of various humanitarian organizations. She enjoys coaching people in growth, getting organized, and creating structure so they can have freedom. She lives and attends church in the DC Area. One of her passions is providing resources, access, and community to underrepresented populations, especially those who have been incarcerated.
Ashley Shuler
Board Director
Brittany works as a Specialist in School Counseling for the Central Office in her local school district, where she focuses on establishing systems for Social-Emotional and Mental Health and coaching school staff in implementing those systems. In the past she has worked as an Elementary and Middle School Counselor and MTSS Lead. She owns a home and attends church in the DC Area. She is active in her faith and won Bible Scholar when she was in High School! One of her passions is advocating for students by consulting with teachers, staff, and administration to promote school community.
Brittany Crumbling
Board Director
Evan works for a growing University in promotion and advancement where he connects people to the school's mission and makes them feel welcome in the community. He is a husband and father of two living and attending church in North Dakota. He and his wife are both passionate about education as she is a Montessori Expert and Educator. Evan has a heart for people and human stories. He is a joyfully contagious conversationalist, which is likely to land him on TV again someday.
Evan Baker
Board Director
Irene has been serving in youth ministry for over 2 decades in a variety of settings as a Teacher, Parish Youth Minister, and as a Girl Scout. Having grown up with Arthritis, she is passionate about making her community a more accessible and welcoming place for everyone, especially young people. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in western Tennessee and enjoys making rosaries and jewelry in her spare time.
Irene Viorritto
Board Director
Jerome lives, works, and attends church in Orange County, California. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working as a team lead in a hospital setting and doing private practice therapy on the side. Jerome is originally from the Philippinnes and still visits home whenever he can. He is passionate about helping the whole person. Jerome is also passionate about old-school 90s R&B and is the best at car Karaoke. He loves to travel, live healthy, eat good food, and is becoming a Jiu-Jitsu champ.
Jerome Jumawan
Board Director
Patty is a daughter of God, a wife, mother to 2 boys, caregiver, and full time teacher for high school students with moderate/severe special needs. She has been teaching for about 15 years in California. She has a BA degree in Special Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and an MA in Special Education from Cal State L.A. Her passion for individuals with significant special needs stems from having a younger brother who has Cerebral Palsy, an intellectual disability, and other health impairments.
Patty Telles
Board Director
Sarah (Korfonta) Schmitt
M.Ed.; Certified Crisis Trainer
Executive Director
Sarah is an Educational Consultant, Speaker, and Professional Development Trainer. She has been a Consultant/Coach for just short of a decade and a Disability-Inclusive Educator for years prior to that. Sarah completed an undergraduate degree at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master's at George Mason University. She started her career by helping found and start a private school for Autism, where she lead the efforts of starting the inclusive preschool program. Sarah has worked and volunteered in various roles in education and ministry for 20 years. Her experience in ministry ranges widely in various work and volunteer roles, as well as, various types of ministry from youth ministry to liturgy and worship. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, Adam. One of her biggest passions is advocating for disability accessibility in Church so that everyone can experience true community and belonging.