Disabilities, Religion and Spirituality

Examples of Past Activities

• Putting Faith to Work Project
• Accessible Worship Project
• Disability, Faith, and Flourishing Project
• Community Conversations on Faith and Disability
• National Collaborative on Faith and Disability
• Faith and Disability Conference
• National Study of Disability and Ministry
• Providing disability-related theological field education internship opportunities for future religious leaders and educators
• Developing community partnerships to support inclusive religious and spiritual practices

Belonging in Faith Communities

This video illustrates why belonging matters so much and what true belonging looks like in two Nashville-area church congregations.

Resources

• Pathways to Belonging
  These resources address how religious congregations can become places of inclusion and belonging for people with disabilities and their families.
  • Article: The changing landscape of disability and ministry in the Church
  • Article: A place of belonging: Including individuals with significant disabilities in faith communities
  • Article: The absence of asterisks: The church and children with disabilities
  • Video: Incomplete without you: The church and people with disabilities
• Putting Faith to Work
  This practical and powerful approach empowers faith communities to support people with disabilities as they find and maintain employment aligned with their gifts, passions, skills, and sense of calling.
  • Practice Guide [English]
  • Practice Guide [Spanish]
  • Tip Sheet: How Congregations Can Connect People With Disabilities To Employment
  • Webinar: Putting Faith to Work: Congregations, Employment, and People with Disabilities
• Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities
  This collection of practical guides and tip sheets are designed to help faith communities become accessible and welcoming communities for people with and without disabilities.
  • Practice Guide: Welcoming People with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families: A Practical Guide for Congregations
  • Practice Guide: Including Adults with Disabilities in Religious Education Manual
  • Tip Sheet: Inclusion in a Faith Community Tip Sheet (for Religious and Spiritual Leaders)
  • Tip Sheet: Inclusion in a Faith Community Tip Sheet (for Individuals and Families)
  • Tip Sheet: Inclusion in a Faith Community Tip Sheet (for Congregational Care Committees)
  • Tip Sheet: Including Children With Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities in Religious Education Classrooms
  • Resource: Faith Community Visual Supports
  • Tip Sheet: Helping People With Intellectual Disabilities Cope With Loss
• National Study of Disability and Ministry
  The purpose of this project is to explore the current landscape of disability and ministry, as well as its impact within the local church. We interviewed leaders within 200 churches (across 48 states) that have intentional ministries aimed at welcoming and supporting people with disabilities and their families. New resources will be posted here as the findings are released.
• National Collaborative on Faith and Disability
  The mission of this special interest group (SIG) and collaboration among UCEDDs is to support people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them by providing national and international leadership in the areas of research, education, service, and dissemination related to disability, religion, and inclusive supports.
  • Website: AUCD Special Interest Groups

We are gathering local and national resources to share with individuals with disabilities and their families, as well as with religious and lay leaders. If you know of religious/spiritual resources that may be beneficial for others, send them to courtney.taylor@vumc.org

Giving

To make a donation that will allow the VKC UCEDD to further develop activities in these areas, please visit the Giving page of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center website. Specify that your gift go to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Disabilities, Religion, and Spirituality program.