Disability Concerns Task Force
The
goal of the Disability Concerns Task Force is to encourage awareness and
acceptance of individuals and families living with disabilities and to
encourage congregations to value the gifts of persons with disabilities.
We will make available Disability Concerns Community Resources.
All Christians are members of the Body of Christ and deserve access to the worship, opportunities, and fellowship of the church. When barriers of any kind exist and make it impossible for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the life of the church, we are not being faithful to our calling or to our mission of the church.
It is not enough to enable persons with disabilities to enter the buildings. The Body of Christ is not whole when we are not able to embrace the gifts of all members. Like all Christians, persons with disabilities have been given gifts to use in the service of God. In addition, persons with disabilities may have gifts of patience, creativity, and perseverance they have learned through their living with disabilities. The Disability Concerns Task Force will assist Presbytery and congregations in recognizing and using the gifts of persons of disabilities.
Resources
Community resources - Advocate, service, and supplier information (Word format with links to other websites). A PDF version is also available.
Congregational Audit of Disability Accessibility and Inclusion (new)
Video Resources (Available at the Resource Center for Churches)
Presbyterian for Disability Concerns website, PC (U.S.A.)
Website accessibility information from the National Health Ministries, PC (U.S.A.)
Stories and Articles on Inclusion
- Lost and Found: An Integration Story
- The Friendship Group@ Valley Community Presbyterian, Golden Valley
- (Just Added)Created in the Image of God: A First Person Account of Living With Mental Illness by Cathy Smith, an Elder at Westminister Presbyterian in Minneapolis.
