Most of us have seen in others or even noticed in ourselves the incongruence between what we claim to believe and our behavior. For example, a mother may teach her child that all people are valuable and to treat everyone fairly and kindly. And yet, she never invites her child's classmates with different skin colors… Continue reading Implicit Bias
What does neurodiversity mean? Thomas Armstrong – "Neurodiversity refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition, such as sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions." Harvard Health – "Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There is no one 'right' way of… Continue reading Neurodiversity
Attitudinal barriers are the foundation of all other barriers for people with disabilities. Before we can overcome these barriers, we first need to know what they are. What Is an Attitudinal Barrier? What exactly are attitudinal barriers? Attitudinal barriers are negative views, inaccurate perceptions, avoidance, and even hostility toward people with disabilities. These prejudicial and… Continue reading Overcoming Attitudinal Barriers
They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, "Son of David, Jesus!… Continue reading Ableism in the Church
Busy stairways
Down Syndrome: Books for parents and educators Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide by Susan J. Skallerup Bringing Your Baby with Down Syndrome Home: A Guide to the First Month by Jeannie Visootsak and Deslie Quinby Down Syndrome Parenting 101 Must-Have Advice for Making… Continue reading Resources
Pulling someone up
Attitude Check-up What first comes to mind when you consider welcoming people with disabilities to your faith community? Designated parking spaces for people with limited mobility? A clear access ramp? Having greeters at the door to open and hold the door when people with assistive devices come in? Space in your sanctuary for people with… Continue reading More than a Ramp
A Church that Disables Is a Disabled Church "If a family with a member with intellectual disability, physical challenges, developmental delay, or communication difficulties visits our church, will they feel welcome?" What do churches think? According to a survey conducted by Nashville-based Lifeway Research, in America, nearly every Protestant pastor (99%) and churchgoer (97%) believe… Continue reading Church Disabling or Church Disabled?
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7) In a journal article, Scott Landes recounts his conversation with a father who has a son with a developmental disability: I talked with a father last week about his son, Brian. Brian just turned nine and is enjoying the… Continue reading Where Are You, Church?
