Here’s what we’ll cover today!

• Theology of Disability
• Models & Methods
• Equipping Your Team
• Participant Support

For the slides & more: sandrapeoples.com/metro

Overview of the Session

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

The Bible isn't a disability ministry handbook, but it is a head and heart book—it teaches us how to think about disabilities and how to treat those with disabilities (including how to view ourselves if/when we are diagnosed with a disability).

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

As we look at all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we can trust in God's plan, purpose, provision, and promise for those with disabilities. This foundation will set us up for how we include those who are affected by disabilities and the families in our churches.

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Plan

Seeing all people as image bearers is the motivation we need to do disability ministry. We can see everyone as God sees them, with the potential of having a relationship with him and with others.

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THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Plan - Gen. 1:26-27

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

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So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

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THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Plan - Psalm 139:13-16

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

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I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

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Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

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Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Plan

Being born with a disability or developing one later in life is not a sign of faithlessness or weakness on our part or a mistake or anger on God's part.

Disabilities may be results of the fall, but they are still part of God's plan and his purpose for our lives.

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Purpose - Ex. 4:10-12

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Joni Eareckson Tada writes, “God permits what he hates to accomplish that which he loves.”

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Purpose - John 9:1-3

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

As Lamar Hardwick observes, “an examination of [Jesus's] healing ministry strongly suggests that the central theme and aim of his healing ministry was to restore people who were disabled and disregarded back into the community

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Provision - 2 Sam. 9

And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” … Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” … And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

Mephibosheth fell at David's feet in fear as he was brought before the king. But David responded with restoration, invitation, and compensation.

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Provision - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God's provision doesn't equal healing. It does equal his grace.

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

God’s Promise

Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

This healing in heaven is more than people with disabilities looking, acting, feeling moving, communicating, and thinking more like people without disabilities. It's that all of us will be more like Christ.

We will spend eternity without hindrances to our fellowship with each other or the worship of God. Anything about us now that holds us back from fellowship and worship will be no more.

THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

According to their parents, fewer than one-half of children and youth with autism, deaf-blindness, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities participated in religious group activities at any point during the previous year (Wagner, Cadwallader, & Marder, 2003)

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When more than 200 parents of adolescents and young adults with autism were asked about their children's attendance at religious services, less than one-third reported that their child attended religious services on a weekly basis. Furthermore, only 11% of youth and adults with autism attended social events at religious settings more than once or twice a month (Orsmond, Krauss, & Seltzer, 2004).

What the Research Says about Actual Church Attendance

MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Clearly, there’s a big gap between what pastors believe about how welcoming their churches are vs. what special needs families and people with disabilities believe about those churches actually being welcoming.

The Disconnect

MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

In Jesus’s last days, he broke down barriers that were keeping people with disabilities from having access to the temple and the community built around the rhythms of the temple. When he healed them, he also restored them to their faith family.

Matthew 21:12-14

Scripture gives us an example and a solution

MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

• According to the recent census, 2 in 7 families has a member with a disability
• Across the country, 13 percent of students, on average, are identified as needing special education.
• Add in kids with learning disabilities and mental health/behavior diagnosis on 504 plans, you could be close to 20% in your school district

Let’s look at the population stats

MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Those who need adjustments to understand the lesson and be able to participate in the activities.

• Special needs/disabilities: autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, being deaf or blind, other physical/cognitive disability, sensory processing disorder
• Learning disabilities: dyslexia, dysgraphia, other oral/written language disorders, executive function deficits
• Mental health/behavioral diagnosis: ADD, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, trauma, social anxiety, OCD

What kids/students are we talking about?

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MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Our goal is to share the good news about Jesus—the gospel! We want every person with a disability and their family to be able to hear, understand, and respond to the gospel.

What goal do we have for inclusion?

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MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

We want the most inclusive, least restrictive environment where the student can best learn about Jesus.

What does that look like?

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MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

• Inclusive - An inclusive setting is in a typical children's ministry class of same-age peers, often with help from a teen or adult buddy trained and prepared to meet the student's additional needs.
• Specialized - A specialized setting is a self-contained class designed for students who benefit from having curriculum and a space that meets their additional needs. This is often in a sensory-friendly classroom.
• Hybrid - A hybrid model combines both options for kids who benefit from time with their typical peers but can sometimes need to take a break in a sensory room.

Options for Support

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MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

• Can be one-on-one or a floater buddy
• Carries a buddy bag with fidgets, a visual schedule, noise reducing headphones, and treats
• Can help with academic work and navigating social situations
• Biblical model is Moses and Aaron in Ex. 4

Teen & Adult Buddies

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MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Designed for students who benefit from having curriculum & a space that meets their needs.

In 1 Corinthians 14:9-12, Paul talks about how speaking in tongues does not benefit everyone. In verse 19 he writes, "Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue."

Specialized Class

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MODELS & METHODS

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

The hybrid approach blends both the Inclusive Setting and the Specialized Setting. Might look like…

• inclusive Sunday School setting in your children’s ministry, but with the sensory room option for kids who need a break.
• specialized setting for small group time, but inclusive setting for large group worship.

Hybrid

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starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Four Steps to Retain Volunteers (Adult & Teen)

• Recruiting
• Training
• Supporting
• Celebrating

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Recruiting

• Word of mouth from other volunteers
• Low-commitment opportunities (respite events, VBS)
• Ministry visibility (Disability Ministry Sunday)
• Identify & ask
• Fill in around paid positions

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Teen Buddies

• Teens over 14 years old can be buddies.
• Teens must be recommended by the youth minister or a small group leader.
• Characteristics we look for: kindness, patience, creativity, empathy, and joy.

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starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Training

• We have policies in place for all our volunteers to follow. There are additional policies about safety and privacy specific to our students.
• Videos (http://www.sandrapeoples.com/buddy-training/)
• Shadowing
• Respite nights & VBS

Additional Suggestions:

• Ministry Safe
• NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) - CPI

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starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Supporting

• They need to know their role and how they fit into the structure of the class & overall ministry
• They need to feel comfortable asking questions
• They need a plan for lots of scenarios
• They need to feel empowered to make quick decisions
• They need appropriate tools: curriculum, buddy bags, videos, etc.
• They need consistent, clear communication (we use Planning Center)

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starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Celebrating

• Lots of specific, verbal praise
• Small thank you gifts
• Team bonding
• Opportunities for more training and using gifts
• Invite students/families to write thank you notes
• Make them feel like part of a bigger story

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starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

EQUIPPING YOUR TEAM

Have a game plan

The best way to face an unknown scenario is to be prepared. It would be better to be prepared for these situations and not need to follow the plan you have in place than to not have a plan at all.

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• Toileting Policies
• High Medical Needs
• Security for Eloping Children

• Safety in the Classroom
• Sexual Abuse Prevention
• Evacuation/Lockdown

The first step in adapting teaching is to remember children with disabilities reflect the image of God and have the potential to have a relationship with Him and grow in Christlikeness.

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Universal design

Universal design is a concept in design that focuses on creating products, environments, and programs that are usable by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

• Increase inclusivity
• Increase accessibility
• Minimize adaptations
• Broaden applicability

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a research-based framework that guides the development of flexible learning environments and instructional materials that accommodate individual learning differences. It provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression to ensure all students have equal opportunities to learn.

It’s about designing learning experiences that are inclusive from the start—not retrofitting accommodations later.

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PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Applying UDL Principles

• Focus on one goal for the lesson
• Think of the multiple ways kids could get to that goal
• Provide them with those multiple paths
• Check for understanding
• Give multiple opportunities for application and action

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PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Intake Forms

“Our church cares for the success and safety of each participant in our children’s ministry. Does your child have any allergies, medical conditions, learning differences, special needs, or disabilities we should be aware of?”

Place the child in the environment you think will fit best and plan to observe him/her for a couple weeks.

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Intake Forms

• Basic contact info
• Start with a positive
• Questions that will help you with classroom structure and environment
• Questions that capture necessary medical information
• Questions about support needed for communication, toileting, mobility
• Questions that address behaviors and behavior plans

PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Because each child is unique, you can develop IDPs for each one—individualized discipleship plans. IDPs take into consideration the child’s likes, dislikes, strengths, goals, and behaviors.

Consider creating IDPs

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PARTICIPANT SUPPORT

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

Behavior is communication. To figure out what the behavior is communicating, we need to become behavior investigators.

A- Antecedent: what happened before?

B- Behavior: what was the behavior?

C- Consequences: what happened after?

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Being a behavior investigator means we observe all we can, make a plan, and be prepared to try a few ideas until we find the solution!

ABCs of Behavior Support

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Additional Resources

starting & strengthening YOUR CHURCH’S DISABILITY MINISTRY

• sandrapeoples.com
• accessible-church.com
• Lifeway.com/specialneeds
• Keyministry.org
• JoniandFriends.org
• AbilityMinistry.com
• specialneedsministryresources.com
• engagingdisability.org