Steps to Disability Inclusion

1) A person or group seeks disability inclusion in their church:

a) Church leadership supports disability inclusion in all areas of the church with strong foundation in the theology of ministry to and with people affected by disability

OR

b) More awareness & education needed within the leadership of the church 

Vision to include:
a) Wholistic Churchwide Disability-Inclusion:
Church is not complete without people of all abilities, the Church supports gifts & talents of all, ministry is to and with people affected by disability
b) Mission Field:
Evangelism opportunity to reach those affected by disability
c) Vision of Hope for Disability Inclusion:
What can we do? Call to action to build Disability Inclusion Team

 Resources: 
• Example of a video for vision casting from the Southern Baptist Convention, more resources coming soon:

a) The whole Church Community takes ownership to create culture of belonging
b) Include people with disabilities on the Disability Inclusion Team if at all possible

a) Biblical Heart of Disability Ministry/Theology
i) Identify needs in own church community
ii) Identify resources within own community
iii) Prioritize Needs
iv) Plan of Action & Next Steps

 Resources: 
• Discussion Guide “Why Leads To How”
• Dr. Gary Felton video “Why Leads to How”
• More video resources coming soon by Dr. Milton Keys

b) Physical Accessibility
i) Identify needs in own church community
ii) Identify resources within own community
iii) Prioritize Needs
iv) Plan of Action & Next Steps

 Resources: 
• Discussion Guide “Physical Accessibility”
• Video Training, “Become a Church for All Abilities”
• “Physical Accessibility Checklist”

c) Sensory Accessibility
i) Identify needs in own church community
ii) Identify resources within own community
iii) Prioritize Needs
iv) Plan of Action & Next Steps

 Resources: 
• Discussion Guide “Sensory Accessibility”
• Video Training “Become a Sensory-Friendly Church”
• “Sensory Accessibility Checklist”

d) Learning Accessibility
i) Identify needs in own church community
ii) Identify resources within own community
iii) Prioritize Needs
iv) Plan of Action & Next Steps

 Resources: 
• Discussion Guide “Learning Accessibility”
• Video Training “Universal Access To The Gospel”
• “Learning Accessibility Checklist”

a) Implement action plan
b) Implement ongoing work of ministry

Resources for Training:

a) Biblical Heart of Disability Ministry/Theology
i) Short Video (15 minutes)- Dr. Felton “Why Leads to How”
ii) More video training coming soon from Dr. Milton Keys
iii) Book- Accessible Church by Sandra Peoples

b) Physical Accessibility
i) Video Series (46 minutes) – “Become A Church For All Abilities”
ii) “Physical Accessibility Checklist”

c) Sensory Accessibility
i) Video Series (47 minutes) – “Become a Sensory-Friendly Church”
ii) “Become a Sensory-Friendly Church Guide”
iii) Video Series (58 minutes) – “Simple Sensory Tools For Church”
iv) “Sensory Tip Sheet”
v) Video Series (106 minutes) – “Behavior, Sensory Issues, and the Church”
vi) “Sensory Accessibility Checklist”
vii) “Calming & Alerting Strategies”
viii) Children’s Book – “Control Is My Goal”

d) Learning Accessibility
i) Video Series (76 minutes) – “Universal Access To The Gospel”
ii) “Multisensory Ideas For Teaching The Bible”
iii) “Planning Lessons”
iv) “UDL Resources”
v) “Digitally Accessible Discipleship Tips”
vi) Chart of “Accessible Bible Study Resources”

a) Develop leaders & trainers
b) Evaluate for needs/resources as changes and growth occur

a) The disability-inclusive church attracts people to Jesus and produces positive change, which is noticed by the broader community/city/churches.