VISION
The vision of Tiō is a world where church and society are enriched by the full and appropriate inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
tiō – ‘…to intentionally honour, to lift up, to advance’ (1 Corinthians 12.22-26)
MISSION
The mission of Tiō is to engage with people with disabilities, particularly intellectual disability, their families and faith communities in delivering high quality teaching, training and events across a range of theological formats. We do this by promoting disability theology and ministry and encouraging the participation of people with and without intellectual disabilities.
The Centre for Intellectual Disability Theology and Ministry (Tiō) is based on our Belfast campus and run by a small core team.
The Centre contributes to the College’s overarching purpose by making learning assessable to all kinds of students, by integrating spiritual academic and experiential learning and by resourcing the church locally and globally for the mission of God.
Tiō was launched in Belfast on 19 November 2015.
AIM
We connect.
Our aim is to bring academics and practitioners, families and faith communities, individuals and organisations together – locally and globally
We teach.
Our aim is to increase opportunities at all levels for theological, spiritual and experiential learning relating to disability.
We research.
Our aim is to contribute to scholarship as an agent of change.
We advocate.
Our aim is to promote theological perspectives on disability to impact Church and society
Tiō is run by a small core team comprising a part-time Director and Administrator (both BBC staff) and 5 volunteers. Individually and collectively, they bring a wealth of personal experience and professional expertise to their teaching, supervision and training.
Dr J N Ian Dickson, Director
Beverly Graham, Administrator
Dr Ivan Bankhead
Dr Paul Coulter
Dr Jill Harshaw
Donna Jennings
Rachael Mackarel
PROGRAMMES
Studying God Together Programme
Accessible theology courses for adults with intellectual disabilities
These innovative and interactive courses are designed and delivered by Rachael Mackarel and her Team on campus. Currently, there are two 6 week courses, one in each term (Oct-Dec and Feb-March) running on Friday mornings (9.30-12.30).
Enriching Church and Society Training Conferences
The Team have designed a half-day Training Conference to assist faith communities, leaders and individuals working in disability ministry to think through - theologically and practically - meaningful and appropriate inclusion and support of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. These events are hosted by churches, faith communities and/or organisations with the Centre providing the programme and content.
See our Events page and to request further information see our Contacts page
Graduate Studies
Master of Theology - MTh studies (with a Disability Theology and Ministry pathway)
Master of Philosophy - MPhil studies (Supervision at BBC)
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD studies (Supervision at BBC)
All our graduate programmes are offered through Queens University Belfast. BBC is a Consituent College of the Institute of Theology at QUB.
To request further information or request an informal conversation about possibilities see our Contacts page
CONFERENCE 2016 - HONOUR THE INDISPENSIBLE
10-11 June 2016
BBC Campus
Keynote Speaker - Jeff McNair, Professor of Special Education, California
ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS - 16 January 2016
ENRICHING CHURCH AND SOCIETY TRAINING CONFERENCES
Holywood
Saturday 30 January 2016
9,30-1,30pm
Venue: 1st Holywood Presbyterian Church
Portstewart
Saturday 27 January 2016
9.30-1,30pm
Venue: Portstewart Baptist Church
TIO OPEN LEARNING COURSE at QUEEN's UNIVERSITY BELFAST
5 week course beginning Thursday 28 May 2016
7.00-9.00pm
Details from QUB Lifelong Learning
As part of our vision and mission is to contribute to an interdisciplinary approach to disability, we are keen to establish links and partnerships with other institutions, centres, organisations and faith communities.
Currently we have established links with:
Prospects (Ireland and UK)
The Disability Research Network (Queens University Belfast)
Christian Institute on Disability (California, USA)