Disability Ministries
The Commission on Disability Concerns advocates for and develops programs that meet the needs of people with disabilities. They foster awareness by educating individuals and congregations about the various needs of those with disabilities and promote inclusion within the church. In addition, the commission is a resource for local churches attempting to develop ministries that are attitudinally and architecturally accessible.
Disability Awareness Sunday Resources
View a brief training for completing the accessibility audit
The video is here.
The Accessibility Audit is here.
A PowerPoint presentation accompanying the training video.
The Accessibility Coordinator position described in the training.
Registration for the monthly Accessibility Conversation meetings.
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The following links are online resources for a variety of disability concerns and needs:
Disability-Related News
- Anabaptist ADNet Newsletter
- Disability News from Science Daily
- Disabled World News
- The United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries Newsletter
- The United Methodist Committee on
Disability Ministries
Training
- Training Opportunities from Joni & Friends
- Learn About Universal Design and Responsive Design (by All Belong, Inc.)
- Mental Health Series (training modules by All Belong, Inc.)
- Language Guide
- Review various church roles (by All Belong, Inc.)
Online Disability Resources
Disabilities 101
- Disability Etiquette and Awareness
- Inclusive Worship (by All Belong, Inc.)
- When You Meet a Blind Person
- Ableism Toolkit (by Disability Ministries Committee)
Disability-Related Organizations
- Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church (offers resources and grants)
- United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministries (offers resources and grants)
- United Methodist Congress for the Deaf (UMC caucus)
- Association of Ministers with Disabilities (UMC caucus)
Begin Your Own Disability Ministry
- BWC Disability Ministries Manual
- Read the Developing Your Own Disability Ministry document by Joni & Friends, Inc.
- Read the book Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities – includes church policies, suggested vision and mission statements, resources, and strategies
- Deaf Ministries, 4th Edition by Rev. Dr. Leo Yates includes a chapter on Disability Ministries
- Read The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy by Bishop Peggy A. Johnson