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 Bulletin Insert
Disability Awareness Video Service (2024)
Additional Disability Awareness Sunday Resources
View a brief training for completing the accessibility audit
The video presentation is here.
The Accessibility Audit form is here.
A PowerPoint presentation accompanying the training video.
The Accessibility Coordinator position described in the training. Churches are strongly encouraged to have a person. Contact Rev. Dr. Leo Yates for assistance with this.
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The following links are online resources for a variety of disability concerns and needs:
- BWC Disability Ministries Manual
- Hard-of-Hearing and Late-Deafened Accessibility Considerations
- Association of Ministers with Disabilities (UMC caucus)
- Directory for Braille Transcription Companies
- How to Build a Wheelchair Ramp
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Disability Awareness for the Local Church training (presentation)
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Accessibility Coordinator for the Local Church training (presentation)* Accessibility Coordinator Position Description - updated (Google doc)* Accessibility Update Reports (Google doc)* Visitor / Guest Card (Google doc)* Disability Accessibility Survey (Google doc)
- Electric Chairlifts (get 2 or 3 estimates)
* O'Neil Stairlifts
* Bedco Mobility
* Access Lifts & Services
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
- BWC Ableism and Audism (presentation)
- BWC Disability Ministries: An Introduction (presentation)
- BWC Accessibility Coordinator (presentation)
- BWC Disability Awareness for the Local Church (presentation)
- Training Opportunities from Joni & Friends
- Mental Health
* Mental Health Challenges & the Church (by Faithward)
* National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
* Mental Health First Aid - Information
* MH church policy example - Pastoral Language Guide (for inclusive disability language)
Online Disability Resources
- Assistive Technology Buying Guide
- Disability-related Awareness Dates
- Hobbies and Activities for Special Needs (ideas by cerebralpalsy.org)
- Disability Guide by Faithward: Everybody Belongs, Serving Together (free guide)
- Practical tips for welcoming individuals who are neurodivergent (autism)
Disabilities 101
- Etiquette and Awareness
* Disability
* Blind
* Deaf
* Autism
* Dementia
* Hiring - When You Meet a Blind Person
- Ableism Toolkit (by Disability Ministries Committee)
- Audism: A Study Guide (by UM-Deaf & HH Ministries Committee)
- Disability Ministries: An Introduction (presentation)
- Disability Awareness for the Local Church (presentation)
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)
- Pathways to Promise (church-related mental health org)
- Faithward (has disability resources)
- ASD In Church (autism-related resources)
Begin Your Own Disability Ministry
- BWC Disability Ministries Manual
- Implement an accessibility committee (guide)
- 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
Grants to Consider
- Disability Ministries Committee of the UMC
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee
- Joni & Friends (Christian Fund for the Disabled)
- Mustard Foundation offers church grants
- BWC for implementing a new ministry (contact Rev. Leo Yates for details)
- The United Methodist Credit Union offers loans, like for renovations for accessibility.