I am always happy to talk through issues of accessibility and inclusion and/or visit your home, workplace, or church in person (to the extent I am able). Please e-mail me to arrange a date and time for our conversation.
Designed for ministry professionals, church leaders, and interested people of faith, this workshop will sensitize you with new information, awaken your senses to the needs in your community, and invite you into a continuing conversation on accessibility and inclusion.
Workshop: "The Door's Open, But How Do I Get In?"
Accessibility & Inclusion in Worship Services and Spaces
This workshop combines interactive self-evaluation with education about disabilities, an introduction to selected ministries and tools (across Christian denominations), and an opportunity to brainstorm and walk away with strategies that can be implemented immediately.
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Motivation & Goals
- Sensitize – We believe that knowledge is power and there is always something more to learn.
- Awaken – We believe in using our senses and our minds to heighten our awareness of needs in our community.
- Invite – We believe that these conversations are ongoing and places at the table are open to everyone!
Assessing Our Context
from Faithward: “Everybody Belongs, Everybody Serves”
https://www.faithward.org/everybody-belongs-serving-together/ https://www.faithward.org/everybody-belongs-serving-together/church-accessibility-audit/
A Biblical & Theological Understanding of a “Hospitable and Healthy Church” https://www.faithward.org/everybody-belongs-serving-together/introduction/
The ELCA Social Message: People Living with Disabilities (2010)
https://www.elca.org/faith/faith-and-society/social-messages/people-living-with-disabilities
ELCA Disability Ministry Resource Page – www.elca.org/Resources/Disability-Ministry
Understanding “Disability”
Definition of Disability – https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html#ref
Appropriate Language – https://askearn.org/page/people-first-language
Making Worship Spaces & Services More Accessible
- Church Policy on Disabilities – https://www.faithward.org/everybody-belongs-serving-together/church-accessibility-policy-template/
- Church Disability Advocate (or Committee) – https://www.faithward.org/everybody-belongs-serving-together/the-role-of-a-church-disability-advocate-or-accessibility-coordinator/
- UMC Disability Audit – https://umcdmc.org/resources/accessibility-and-united-methodist-churches/accessibility-audit/
- Rejoicing Spirits Ministry – https://www.rejoicingspirits.org/
- Low-Hanging Fruit
Other Resources
“Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community” https://rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter/products/AutismandFaith.html
Autism and Faith grew out of the efforts and concerns of families and congregations who were looking for ways to include children and adults with autism in faith communities. With articles by family members, theologians, pastors, rabbis, people with autism, and professionals, the booklet contains facts about autism, pastoral care, religious education, strategies for supporting families, tips for lay people, and a listing of religious and public resources. The articles are highlighted by real life stories from a number of families who responded to an autism and faith survey.
Friendship Ministries, including the Friendship Program Guide (for ministering to and with those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities)
https://friendship.org/ https://friendship.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/friendship-program-guide.pdf
