Resource Search Results

Kate Strater on Including Young Adults with Intellectual Disability

Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) often feel left out, even at church. But schools, churches, and agencies can work together to create a sense of belonging that nurtures everyone. Inclusive postsecondary education increases opportunity for employment, independent living, and sharing God-given gifts.

Conversation | July 29, 2024

Kate Strater on Ministry with and by People with Intellectual Disability

Churches sometimes ignore or separate children and adults with intellectual disability from general church worship and congregational life. But schools, service agencies, and churches can expand one another’s imaginations about what’s possible for and with people with intellectual and development disabilities. Even small congregations can experience the joy of learning to include all abilities in the body of Christ.

Conversation | July 26, 2024

Elizabeth Bajema: All Belong in God’s Family

Churches sometimes see themselves as inclusive simply because they have attendees from group homes. But true inclusion means getting to know people as individuals with gifts to offer in God’s family.

Conversation | July 10, 2024

Lindsay Wieland Capel on Recognizing and Overcoming Ableism in Churches

Many congregations don’t realize that the way they arrange their space, talk in worship, or define giftedness and leadership speaks volumes to people with different bodies and minds. The message is: “We don’t see you as a welcomed and valued member of Christ’s body.”

Conversation | February 21, 2024

Lindsay Wieland Capel on Disability and Universal Design

Many ideas for welcoming and including people with disabilities are remarkably simple. These changes turn out to be good for everyone in church worship and congregational life.

Conversation | February 21, 2024

Inclusion and Universal Design for Worship

Corporate, intergenerational worship can be designed from the start to include people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, gifts and limitations.

Article | December 16, 2022

Disability within Faith Communities

A showcase of books and articles related to worship and disabilites

Topic Showcase | March 02, 2022

Victoria White on Inclusion in Circles of Congregations

All Belong will keep helping congregations become welcoming communities for people of all abilities, especially through its innovative Circle of Congregations for Teaching and Learning program.

Conversation | January 19, 2021

Universal Design and Responsive Design

Barbara J. Newman, Director of Church Services at All Belong and one of CICW's program affiliates, shares a definition of Universal and Responsive Designs.

Video | May 22, 2020

From Longing to Belonging: Connecting through the Language of Worship with Persons Experiencing Dementia

2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Audio | March 19, 2020

Autism and the Church's Mission

2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Audio | March 05, 2020

LaTonya McIver Penny on Worship with Differently Abled People

Churches decide to include people with disabilities when they realize God sees us all as equals and all as differently abled. LaTonya McIver Penny advocates for inclusive worship, especially in African American congregations.

Conversation | February 25, 2020

Janice McLean-Farrell on a Pastoral Approach to Research

Congregations often want to get information from members and neighbors. They can learn how to do so pastorally by considering how scholars do academic research using human subjects. Scholars follow ethical standards to gain data while doing no harm.

Conversation | January 08, 2020

Universal and Responsive Design for Missional Worship: A Vision of Inclusion

2019 Cultivating Vital Worship | Session

Audio | July 17, 2019

Worship as One: Disability in Community video

Through implementing small changes, churches can become inclusive communities for people with a variety of abilities and disabilities.

Video | February 07, 2018

“Diseño universal” para el culto

"Diseño universal" o “accesibilidad universal” es el estándar para la arquitectura actual: no queremos modernizar edificios para hacerlos accesibles; queremos construirlos de esa manera desde el principio. ¿Qué sucedería si esta visión se extendiera a los cultos que planificamos y dirigimos, y a todos los ministerios de la iglesia?

Article | November 16, 2016