Inclusive Catechesis: When Faith Becomes Tactile

“But why would you want him to receive Communion? He can’t even tell a supermarket from a communion wafer.”

These harsh words, said by a priest to the mother of an autistic boy, were shared in a comment by one of our readers—a religion teacher—under an article from 1976 published in Insieme. A harsh judgment that ignores the ability of people with disabilities to live their faith authentically—even if with different tools and timelines.
The teacher didn’t give up: she wants to create a tactile book designed for her student, because she rightly believes that every child can be guided on a spiritual journey.

Ombre e Luci listens, collects, and shares the experiences of those who live with disability, including in their life of faith—and of catechists and educators who strive every day to make faith accessible.
Over the years, we’ve given space to many voices who, from different perspectives, have tried to rethink catechesis for everyone, including for those who communicate or understand differently.

Encouraged by that comment, we’ve begun a preliminary search for practical resources, both Italian and international, to offer an initial response to this commitment. What follows is the result: ready-to-use materials, tutorials for handmade tools, and initiatives for sensory and inclusive catechesis.

If you know of other ideas, suggestions, projects, resources, or useful links, please write to us: we’d be glad to gather and share them to enrich this shared map and make it available to those who need it.

Ready-to-use materials and resources (inclusive and sensory)

• Centro Braille San Giacomo (Bologna) – Cooperative specialized in Braille transcription and large-print editions of religious and catechetical texts. Available: the Bible, CEI Catechisms in Braille, missals, and resources with tactile drawings. Visit the website
• CEI Service for Pastoral Care of People with Disabilities – Offers free downloadable materials for inclusive catechesis: simplified biblical texts in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), resources for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and the Five Senses Path. Visit CEI site
• Qumran2 Archive – Catechesis and Disability section – Collection of creative catechetical resources: AAC cards, sensory games, Gospel and liturgical season guides. Browse materials
• “My Prayers in Italian Sign Language (LIS)” – Book of basic prayers translated into Italian Sign Language, illustrated and distributed free of charge. Request it from the Pio Institute for the Deaf Foundation
• Homeless Book – “Catechism in AAC” – Series of books and videos in Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Growing Up, Going to Mass, Christmas in AAC, Hail Mary in AAC. Explore the books
• Loyola Press – Adaptive Learning (USA) – Publisher offering adapted catechetical kits for autism and disabilities: tactile rosary, illustrated missal, laminated sacrament cards. Includes specific kits for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, with tactile and visual aids. Browse the catalog
• “Catequesis inclusiva” (Spain) – Handbook by PPC publishing house to adapt catechesis for all disabilities. Purchase the book
• ARASAAC pictogram materials (Spain) – Illustrated boards for inclusive catechesis: liturgy, objects, Gospels. Example: Diocese of Málaga | ARASAAC site

Ideas and tutorials for DIY teaching tools

• Tutorial – Tactile Book (CreAnnanda) – How to make a sensory book using recycled materials for catechesis. Read the tutorial
• Video tutorial – Museo Omero – Italian video on how to make a DIY tactile book. Watch on YouTube
• Paths to Literacy – Guides for creating tactile books for children with visual impairments, adaptable for autism and religious topics: materials, ideas using real objects to represent faith concepts (bread, water, clothing, etc.). Visit the site
• Biblical quiet books – Ideas for fabric Bible books: Noah, Jonah, David, etc., with sensory activities. Find ideas on Pinterest

Initiatives and organizations for inclusive catechesis

• Good Shepherd Catechesis – Montessori-inspired method using liturgical sensory materials (mini altars, parables in miniature). Italian site
• Diocesan disability services – Many dioceses offer customized resources and trained catechists. Example: Diocese of Padua
• National Catholic Partnership on Disability (USA) – Extensive collection of free resources for inclusive catechesis. Visit the site
• Xavier Society for the Blind (USA) – Provides religious texts in Braille and audio formats free of charge. Request materials
• Faith and Light – International movement integrating people with disabilities into Church life through affective catechesis. Learn about the movement

Everyone has the right to know and live their faith—in their own language, their own time, with their own senses. These resources—ready-made, handmade, or inspirational—help catechists make the Gospel truly accessible. Let’s share them, adapt them, build them together.