One out of five people is affected by some type of disability. That has been translated to one in four church members. One fourth of every congregation lives with some disabling condition. Where are they? Disability and the Church

Historically, religious institutions were the first (and often only) providers of care for persons with disabilities. —Avi Rose History

Disability and Religious Life Disability as a Sign of Punishment, Evil Incarnation, and Disease Disability as a Challenge to Divine Perfection Disability as an Object of Pity and Charity Disability as Incompetence and Exemption from Religious Practice Rose, 1997

Our current grasp of “integration” with regard to people with disabilities is comparable to how many of us understood race relations in the mid-1950s. We have assumed the task to be much easier than it is. We have not dug beneath the surface. Our greatest error may be in thinking that we already understand the problem and know how to fix it. —Rhode Island and Massachusetts Council of Churches Where We Are Now

Within the UMC National Task Force on Developmental Disabilities Association of Physically Challenged Ministers The United Methodist Committee on Ministries with Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind People Disability Concerns (DISC) Individual Churches and Annual Conferences

On Paper The 2008 Book of Discipline, ¶ 162.I 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…

On Paper The 2008 Book of Discipline, ¶ 653 There shall be in each annual conference a committee on disability concerns or other structure to provide for the functions of this ministry and maintain the connectional relationships. 1. The basic membership of the committee shall be nominated and elected by established procedures of the respective annual conference…

On Paper The 2008 Book of Discipline, ¶ 265. Approved Sundays for Annual Conference Observance 4. Disability Awareness Sunday…shall be observed annually on a date to be determined by the annual conference. Disability Awareness Sunday calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities…

On Paper General Board of Global Ministries Goal 1: Support the National Committee on Ministries with Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf- Blind People Goal 2: Support the National Task force on Developmental Disabilities

In Practice Churches Speedway United Methodist – Indiana Church of the Resurrection – Kansas Trinity United Methodist – Florida Programs Justa Center – Arizona SEMAR – Southeastern Jurisdiction Annual Conferences Who is your Disability Concerns contact? Try calling your bishop’s office to find out

Models for Caring Looking to the Future

Ministry Models What We HaveWhat We Need Short-Term, Crisis- Oriented Ministry Meal Prep and Delivery Continuing, Long-Term Ministry Respite Care

Religion, Disability, and Receptivity Parts Individual Environment Religious Organization

Individual Motor Cognition Sensory Physiology Psychology Spirituality

Environment Social Policy Social Support Technology Social Capital Physical Environment Receptivity Culture

Religious Organization Technology Social Policy Social Capital Physical Environment Social Support Receptivity Culture

Social Policy Social Support Technology Social Capital Physical Environment Receptivity Religion and Disability Receptivity Model Culture