Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

Inclusion in Worship

Inclusion Representatives

ORGANIZING AN INCLUSION COMMITTEE

For any faith community to make long-lasting, appropriate changes, a planning structure will be needed. Enlist a group of committed people, including those with disabilities, and create an on-going committee focusing on disability issues and connected to the governing council of the faith community.

People you can invite to serve on the inclusion committee:

• a person with a disability
• a family member of a person with a disability
• a decision maker in your faith community
• a person with skills in contracting or architecture
• a person with experience in grant writing and fund raising.

The inclusion committee could coordinate:

• a walk-through of buildings with decision makers to list access barriers

• a survey of the congregation’s needs

• an audit of organizations and ministries within the faith community to see if they address the needs of persons with disabilities
• development of short-term and long-range plans to increase accessibility and inclusion
• implementation of short and long-term accessibility plans
• celebrating successes.

Remember that making change at one point in time does not necessarily answer the need forever. Devices may break, new ideas and requests may come up and new members may join your faith community.