Resources - General
This section will contain information that is not specific to types of ministries or disabilities.
Many VOICE newsletter issues contain useful information that is not time-sensitive and not yet covered in our other resources
Newsletters By Topic
Under construction
Newsletter Archive
August 2024 DMC (Link to share) Chancel and pulpit accessibility, accommodations for pastors with hearing, vision, light sensitivity, autism, and mobility disabilities
June 2024 Mental Health (Link to share) Mental health support for children and youth
April 2024 DMC (Link to share) Introducing the new website, DMC at General Conference
Winter 2024 Mental Health (Link to share) How to become a Caring Congregation, supporting mental health of pastors and members, congregational ministries
Year End 2023 DMC Grant recipients, DMC collaboration with boards and agencies, updates to the Disability-friendly and Accessible Church badge program
June 2023 Mental Health Advocacy for mental health treatment, supporting pastors and individuals with mental health concerns
Spring 2023 DMC Resource Update Grant information, resources available for annual conferences, Badge program information, resources, volunteer needs
Giving Tuesday 2022 DMC Grants awarded, creating sensory spaces, Badge program Gold church example
August 2022 DMC Resource Update Badge program, working with annual conferences, grant cycle
May 2022 DMC Autism and neurodiversity, meet an autistic pastor, creating safe sensory spaces, autism resources
March 2022 Mental Health Helping persons struggling with opioid abuse, Mental Health Ministries joins Pathways to Promise, UMC beliefs about mental illness, Petition about non-discrimination in disability compensation
February 2022 DMC Resource Update New and updated resources, grant cycle, volunteers needed
December 2021 Mental Health: Long COVID, Wounded healer, Mental Health First Aid
Fall 2021 DMC: DMC work/ Giving Tuesday: Grant funding in Uruguay, Resources launch a new career in W Ohio, Consultation supports Wisconsin church to achieve Gold badge status
September 2021 Mental Health: About suicide, Teen suicide, Resources that address suicide, taking time to grieve
Summer 2021 DMC: Introducing new and ongoing members of the DMC
May 2021 Mental Health: Mental Health Awareness Month, a parable of hope, becoming God's hope.
January 2021 Mental Health: Navigating mental health during the pandemic, Risking Connection training helps churches offer trauma-informed support, Suicide prevention
Fall 2020 DMC: First Gold badge church in Alaska, Accessible voting, Meeting needs during COVID, ASL worship services offer global outreach, in memoriam Rev. Jim McIntire
Summer 2020: Intersection of Racism and Disability, Reflecting on 30 years of the ADA, Introducing the Ableism Toolkit, The UMC and the ADA
Spring 2020 DMC: COVID resources - accessible on-line worship, advocating for equal health care rights in a time of rationing, outreach with members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, praying without words.
February 2018 DMC: Employment-related ministries, Putting Faith to Work program
November 2017 DMC: Giving Tuesday, DMC work, need, funding
Fall 2017 Mental Health: Giving Tuesday, Mental Health Ministries
Note: All prior issues are from the DMC and are disability-focused
Spring 2017: Disability ministries and outreach in Spanish-speaking areas
Fall 2016: Housing ministries offered by churches; Friendship House at Duke
Summer 2016: Sibling support, children of disabled parents, parent support groups & needs
March 2016: Annual Conference Accessibility; Ableism in conference planning; Using captioning; Role of event accessibility coordinator; Resource tool kit for planning accessible meetings and events
Winter 2014/ 2015: Strategies to make your church safe for people with invisible disabilities including severe food allergies, chemical sensitivity, and asthma
Fall 2014: Ministries inclusive of children with disabilities, hints for sensory overload and sensory processing needs
Summer 2014: The Mission u disability study and resources, updates from the DisAbility Ministries Committee
Winter 2013/ 2014: How the church can prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies in ways that include and anticipate people with disabilities
Fall 2013: International Methodist disability ministries, EDAN women and violence conference, Kenya Deaf mission trip
Summer 2013: Updates from the joint meetings of the UM Committee on DisAbility Ministries and the UM Association of Ministers with Disabilities
May 2013: Camping ministries: accessible challenge courses, autism workshop, ADA pool regulations, job creation
March 2013: National and regional interfaith disability coalitions address mental health, offer education and support
January 2013: Building a comprehensive dementia ministry; Important Committee social media updates
November 2012: Spiritual supports & programs for people with intellectual disabilities; Jo D'Archangelis
September 2012: Intentional hospitality; Kenya mission trip; 2012 Task Force meeting highlights
Summer 2012: Certification program; Institute on Theology and Disability; Disability Open Mic; NAMI; Deaf camps
April 2012: Updates on General Conference legislation, website, and conference disability committees
March 2012: Pastors who are hard of hearing called to Deaf Ministry; UM Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing meeting; Technology for communication access
February 2012: Medical equipment loan programs; Occupational therapists' and Parish nurses' roles in disability ministry
January 2012: Church accessibility; Working with trustees; Platform lifts
December 2011: Models of adapted worship, multi-sensory worship, Rejoicing Spirits
November 2011: Ministers who are blind; Web accessibility
September 2011: Ministry with Homeless Persons
July / August 2011: Ramp-building Ministries
June 2011: Members and Work of the Task Force
May 2011: Inclusive and Accessible Camping Ministries
April 2011: Reaching out to Young Adults with Disabilities
March 2011: Disability Awareness Sunday
Resource List - Alphabetical
Resources from the Disability Ministries Committee - Alphabetical Listing
40 Low Cost or No Cost Ways to Improve Camp Accessibility
Ableism and Disability Glossary
Ableist Microaggressions in Church Life
Ableist Microaggressions Worksheet
Accessibility in Hybrid Worship and Meetings
Accessibility Tips:
Accessible Restrooms on a Budget
Accessible Church Badge Process
Adapting a Building/ for Blind or Low Vision
Adapting Activities for Campers with Hidden Disabilities
Adapting Worship & Media for Blind and Low Vision
Annual Accessibility Audit - Basics
Approaches to Dismantling Ableism
B. Badge Flyer Update 2024
Braille, Audio, & Large Print Worship Materials
C. Camp Accessibility Is For....
Camp Mini-Audit: Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
Congregational Survey: Ministry with People with Disabilities
Creating a Local Church Accessibility Committee
Creating a Sunday School Where Every Child Belongs
Creating Safe Sensory Spaces at Camp
Creating Safe Sensory Spaces in Your Church
D. DeafSpace Contributes to Universal Design
Dementia-Friendly Worship Tools
Disability Awareness Sunday FAQs
Disability Etiquette Skit: “Can You Believe It?"
Disability Ministries Overview
Disability Rights and Justice Toolkit for the Disability Advocate
Disability-Related Excerpts in the Book of Discipline 2016
Disabilty Sunday Order of Worship by Rev. R Holland
E. End Age and Disability-Related Marriage Penalties (Resolution)
Engagement and Communication Practices:
With a Person Who Has an Intellectual Disability
With a Person Who has a Speech or Language Disability
With Persons Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
With Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
With Persons Who Have Environmental Sensitivities
With Persons with a Mental Health Condition
With Persons with a Mobility Limitation or Physical Disability
With Persons who are Neurodivergent
With Persons who have Non-Visible Disabilities
Environmental Sensitivities and Fragrance Reduction
Event Accessibility
Event Accessibility A-Z Roadmap
Event Accessibility: Accommodations Request
Event Accessibility Coordinator Job Description
Event Accessibility Guide for Speakers and Program Leaders
Event Accessibility Planning and Set-up Checklist
Event Accessibility Post Event Survey
G. Get Involved - Volunteer with the DMC
God Created All Living Things Good Litany
Guidance for Completing the “Annual Accessibility Audit for UM Churches
Guide Dog & Service Animal Etiquette
H. How to Gather Compelling Stories
L. Liturgy for Blind Equality Achievement Month (L Yates)
M. Making Sensory Items for Your Church
Mental Health Sunday 1: Changing our Attitudes (Link to outside blog article)
O. Obtaining Bronze or Silver Badge
Overcoming Ableism and Audism Resolution
P. Prayer Mental Health Awareness (S Gregg-Schroeder)
Prayer of Confession (SEMAR)
Prayer of Confession for Ableism (K Roelofs/ CRCNA)
Prayer of Sending (T Binford)
Prayer of Thanksgiving (A. Larson)
Prayer of the Day Using Inclusive Language (J D'Archangelis)
R. Repentance for Support of Eugenics
Roles of the AC Disability Concerns Committee
S. Safer Sanctuaries Disability Ministry Flyer
Scripture - The Bible and Disabilities (list of OT and NT passages)
Sermons: Accessible and Inclusive
T. Teens and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (curriculum)
The Great Thanksgiving (P Johnson/T Burton-Edwards)
Theology and Disability Ministry
U. UMC Annual Accessibility Audit - 2024 version
Understanding Sensory Processing Differences
V. Virtual Worship is Here to Stay (T Vermande and others)
More Resources Coming Soon
Accessibility Tip: Ramps, Lifts, and Elevators
Accessibility Tip: Lighting
Appropriate Language in Discussing Mental Illness
Blue Christmas
Central Conference Disability Ministries (FAQ 13) DMC Grants program
DMC Grant Application Sample
DMC Grant application
DMC Leadership
Event Accessibility Extended Checklist
Extend Worship to People with Disabilities
Funding Resources for Church Accessibility Projects
Global Accessibility Audit for Methodist Churches
On Greeting Persons With Disabilities/Ushers and Greeters Manual
Pastoral Prayer for Mental Health Sunday (H. Wilkin)
Prayers you can use for Disability Awareness Sunday (R. Holland)
Resources for Including Children with Disabilities and Their Families
Twenty Practical Things Pastors and Churches Can Do to Welcome Families
Universal Design Guidelines
Resource List By Topic
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