Including People with DISABILITIES in Faith Communities

A guide for service providers, families, and congregations

By Erik Carter ~ 2007

A congregational community is an ideal place to share and strengthen faith, form lasting relationships, and develop special gifts and talents. But too often, people with developmental and other disabilities lack the opportunities and supports to fully participate in the life of their faith community. That’s why families and service providers need to read this groundbreaking guidebook—and share a copy with congregations that want to become places of welcome and belonging for people with disabilities.

• reflect on how welcoming their congregation is - and could be - for people with disabilities and their families
• develop a bold vision of inclusion throughout their congregation, community, city, or state
• take steps to break down attitudinal, architectural, programmatic, and other barriers to inclusion of people with disabilities
• design appropriate, inclusive religious education programs for children, youth, and adults
• learn how service providers can actively support the spiritual preferences, strengths, and needs of people with disabilities.

This how-to book explains how to make inclusion work in any faith community. It gives readers workable strategies and photocopiable forms for identifying “indicators of welcome,” encouraging community outreach, and gathering important information about the support needs of people with disabilities and their families.