Ministries With Differently Abled Persons

NOTICE:

What do Direct Service Providers for people with disabilities need to know about COVID-19?

Rights of Persons with Disabilities

We recognize and affirm the full humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God. We also affirm their rightful place in both the Church and society. We affirm the responsibility of the Church and society to be in ministry with children, youth, and adults with mental, physical, developmental, and/or psychological and neurological conditions or disabilities whose particular needs in the area of mobility, communication, intellectual comprehension, or personal relationships might make more challenging their participation or that of their families in the life of the Church and the community. We urge the Church and society to recognize and receive the gifts of persons with disabilities to enable them to be full participants in the community of faith. We call the Church and society to be sensitive to, and advocate for, programs of rehabilitation, services, employment, education, appropriate housing, and transportation. We call on the Church and society to protect the civil rights of persons with all types and kinds of disabilities.

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church
Paragraph 162I, 2016 Book of Discipline

Article: The new ‘normal’: adapting to disability later in life. This article appeared on the website, Disability Horizons.

Who are the people who are differently abled?

Hospitality & Welcoming Opening doors to people with disabilities Extend worship to people with disabilities Welcome the exceptional 20 things to do to make those with disabilities feel welcome

Accessibility How accessible is your church? An Audit can tell you More than 50 ways to make your parish accessible with little or no cost Adapting a church building and program for staff, members, visitors and others who are blind or have low vision Congregational Accessibility Network

Communication Greeting persons with disabilities: a suggestion manual for ushers and greeters Appropriate language in discussing mental illness Communication and etiquette with persons with disabilities

Autism and Mental Health Autism and Spirituality: Information for Religious Education Teachers Autism and Faith: A Journey Into Community Autism Resources for Children and Teachers Mental Health Ministries Pathways to Promise – Ministry and Mental Illness

More information on Mental Health Resources is available here. 

Also, be sure to check out the resources available (including DVD’s) at our Conference Media Center.

WATCH North Carolina Conference video: Making Our Churches Accessible to More People