Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Program

How can I make my faith community more inclusive: Ten Easy Ways to Welcome Persons with Disabilites in the Area of Communication

1. State the desire to be intentionally inclusive in the faith community’s mission statement.
2. Use “people first” language in homilies, sermons, and bulletin articles.
3. Use access symbols in newspaper advertisements, event announcements and signage to publicize accessible features already in place. See access symbols in this folder.
4. Include the words “All are welcome”. Please call (insert phone number) so that we can provide accommodations for your participation” in all event announcements.
5. Personally invite congregants with disabilities to participate in ministries, clubs, religious education programs, and events and arrange any accommodations to make participation possible.
6. Make large print prayer books, missals, Bibles, bulletins and hymnals available.
7. Provide homilies on audiotape or in large-print and promote their availability in the bulletin.
8. Keep individuals with visual impairments informed by announcing information from the bulletin at the end of the worship service.
9. When new members join your congregation ask, in a sensitive and dignified way, if any accommodations would enhance their participation in the faith community.
10. Invite congregants who cannot regularly attend services or events to contribute to the faith community through a “ministry of praise”. See the Resources page in this folder.