Too often, the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities are excluded from our churches, our theology, and our research.
This Ontario-based project works to change that through creative, arts-based research and a collaborative approach.
In the Christian tradition, all people are made in the image of God (Imago Dei). We are created and creative beings, connecting with God not only through words but through art, movement, and other expressions that open insight beyond spoken language.
For his fellowship project, Dr. Keith Dow collaborated with eleven Ontario-based Christian adults with intellectual disabilities — through photovoice, interviews, collage-making, and guided reflection — to explore how they perceive God and themselves.
“Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.”
Eleven participants. Eleven perspectives on how God is present in everyday life.
View all →“I got to share my talents and artwork and I got to talk about God and express it in a way that everyone could see it and understand it. And I've been following Jesus since I was a kid and also making artwork since I was a kid. And this experience has been really amazing to be near different people.”
Hear from participants
As seen on · March 26, 2026
Keith was joined by Ryan — one of the eleven project participants — and Janet Noel-Annable, CEO of Karis Disability Services, for a conversation about faith, art, and what the church can learn from people with intellectual disabilities.
The Images of God project was featured on 100 Huntley Street — one of Canada's longest-running Christian television programs. Keith was joined by Ryan, one of the eleven project participants, and Janet Noel-Annable, President and CEO of Karis Disability Services.
Read more →The fields of theology and psychology aren't going to change overnight to better receive the contributions of people with IDD. In fact, the field of IDD itself has taken decades to move in this direction and still has much work to do. I hope this small project helps inspire churches, researchers, and communities to embrace the vital presence and contributions of people with disabilities.
Read more →Interested in the research, bringing the exhibit to your community, or collaborating on future work?
Contact Keith
