Start with Yourself: Personal Actions

●      If you are uncomfortable around certain groups of people, use the Engagement and Communication suggestion of umcdmc.org on the “Resources - Attitudes & Interactions” webpage to increase your confidence and awareness.

●      Develop authentic friendships, based on mutual interests, with persons with a different disability status than yours. Spend time together regularly, including accessing public locations such as restaurants and theaters.

●      Read books and articles written by disability activists and subscribe to blogs written by these authors – see the “Ableism Resource List” for suggestions.

●      Learn about variations on ableism such as audism (belief in the superiority of speech and hearing over sign language) and negative attitudes about neurodiversity.

●      Try for heightened awareness as you travel around your community: notice where accessibility and welcome are lacking.

●      Acquire an accountability partner and check in regularly.

●      Be honest and patient with yourself, understanding that dismantling ableism, like dismantling racism, is a life-long project and learning process.

●      Commit to personal reflection, journaling, prayer, and setting goals. Consider the following questions:

o   What do I need to know or experience?

o   Where do I feel called to jump in and get involved? What tugs at my heart or keeps coming back in my thoughts?

o   Where do my gifts and passions intersect with the opportunities and needs that I perceive?

o   Have I run these ideas by someone with a disability, or with a different disability than I have?

o   How can I integrate what I am learning into my life and into our church ministry?

o   What is the first thing I am going to do? By what date do I expect to do it?

Move Next to your Faith Community: Actions in Your Congregation

●      Plan a Disability Awareness Sunday service (per Paragraph 265 of the UM Book of Discipline) with special focus on ableism. Invite one or more persons with a disability to lead the planning, give the sermon and share their stories. Highlight a local arts or theater group that gives people with disabilities a chance to share talents and gifts. Involve Sunday School classes. See our “Resources - Ministry, Worship, and Education” on umcdmc.org for more ideas.

●      Invite residents of a group home in your church neighborhood to participate with the congregation in service projects, picnics, outdoor worship services, and more, following Safer Sanctuaries guidelines for ministry with disabled children and adults.

●      If your church has not recently completed an Annual Accessibility Audit for Churches, work with the Board of Trustees and others, including people with disabilities, to do the audit and set goals for your congregation. You may qualify for a Disability-friendly and Accessible church badge! See Annual Accessibility & Accommodation on umcdmc.org

●      If you want to study in more depth, use The Church and People with Disabilities Mission u study text by Bishop Peggy Johnson, and the Leader’s Guide and PowerPoint for a multiple-session class.

●      Learn about disability-friendly language use and make sure your church does not use ableist language. Check the documents, “Anti-ableist Liturgies Part I and Part II”, in the Worship section of our “Resources - Ministry, Worship, and Education” webpage for suggestions on proofing your order of worship and adapting language. Speak up when you encounter ableism in hymns and liturgies.

●      Understand that many people with disabilities have experienced trauma throughout life, so learn about trauma-informed practices and incorporate these into your ministries.

Actions in Your Community and Beyond

●      Find an organization led by (not about!) people with disabilities and volunteer with them. Check your regional or local Center for Independent Living for suggestions.

●      Come alongside people with disabilities for a joint community project, such as improving accessibility at a local park.

Written by Deaconess Lynn Swedberg 8-18-23