Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship

INCLUSION AWARENESS DAY ACTIVITIES

Listed below are ideas for your Inclusion Awareness event in the areas of affirmation, communication and accessibility. Browse the workbook for materials to help or develop ideas of your own. Reproduce materials as they are or adapt to suit your needs.

Affirmation
Celebrate access and inclusion with a worship service that focuses on how your faith community welcomes worshipers of all abilities. Use Sunday, September 25, 2005, or choose a date convenient for your congregation.

Invite worshipers with disabilities from your congregation to serve in leadership positions and ministries every day of the year. Celebrate the contribution they make to your faith community on Inclusion Awareness Day.

Show the Pathways Awareness Foundation Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors video after worship services. Celebrate the accommodations you provide and discuss new ways your congregation can be intentionally inclusive.

Communication
Run a series of bulletin articles in preparation for Inclusion Awareness Day.

Educate staff, volunteers and ministry leaders about using "People First Language" in homilies, announcements and print materials at your House of Faith.

Send a family discussion guide home for parents and children to discuss ways to be more inclusive. A family guide is available in the Different Gifts, But the Same Spirit lesson plans available for downloading at www.pathwaysawareness.org.

Accessibility
Do a walk-through of your facilities before Inclusion Awareness Day. Note your accomplishments and any areas that need improvement. Plan a ceremony on Inclusion Awareness Day to celebrate the accommodations you provide and to announce plans for future efforts.