John Beauchamp outlines resources for Disability Awareness Sunday on the 18 September.
Disability Awareness Sunday is a chance to highlight that as children of God we are all fearfully and wonderfully made and reflect God’s image however we are embodied. What society has chosen to call ‘disability’ is in fact part of the rich diversity that God has sown into creation and declared to be ‘very good.’
You could use this Sunday to launch a new initiative to make your church more open and welcoming of the belonging and participation of disabled people. Disabled people bring fresh perspectives on God and the human experience without which your church is impoverished and incomplete.
Through the Roof provide resources for Disability Awareness Sunday which you can find on their website.
The Disability Ministry area of the diocesan website has resources to help you explore disability theology, as well as practical tools for increasing access and inclusion.
You will find:
- The 360 Accessibility Audit Tool – looking at accessibility across your church
- ‘Strength made perfect’ – a 6 session study course introducing the social context of disability, disability in Old and new Testaments and the early church, and reflections on how the church today can be more welcoming and inclusive.
- Notes for preachers who want to raise issues of disability and inclusion.
- Guidance documents to help you begin to make changes.
- A database of links and useful information along with reading and online articles.
John Beauchamp, the Diocesan Disability Ministry Enabler, can be contacted for more information and support.
john.beauchamp@london.anglican.org