Equipping the Church for Inclusion: Developing Training Strategies to Implement Accessible and Disability-Inclusive Ministry Practices

Date of Award

Winter 12-17-2025

Document Type

Project (696 or 796 registration)

Degree Name

Master of Science in Special Education

Department

Graduate Studies

Committee Chair

Marci Glessner

Keywords

Special Education, Ministry, Disability Ministry, Inclusion in the Church, Special Education Ministry

Abstract

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities are active and present members of society and deserve to be included in faith communities. One in four Americans and nearly one billion individuals worldwide are impacted by a disability (World Health Organization, 2023). Despite this, churches often fail to provide meaningful inclusion, as 90–95% of individuals with disabilities have no access to the gospel through in-person church services (Scheuermann, 2021). While many congregations intend to be welcoming, they frequently lack the training, resources, and adaptable materials necessary to implement inclusive ministry practices. Research highlights persistent barriers, including limited leader preparation, insufficient volunteer guidance, and inaccessible instructional materials, which prevent faith communities from creating sustainable inclusion programs (Carter et al., 2023; Warren, 2023). Biblical teachings emphasize that all individuals, regardless of ability, are valued members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Luke 14:12–14; Proverbs 31:8–9).

Despite growing awareness of the need for inclusion, churches often struggle to move from intention to implementation due to the absence of accessible resources and evidence-based guidance. To address this gap, the Always Adaptable project provides churches with a digital database of resources for disability-inclusive ministry. The database includes symbol-supported curriculum sets, adaptable lesson plans, step-by-step training modules, and guidance for implementing various inclusion models. Always Adaptable equips church leaders and volunteers with evidence-based tools such as visual supports, social stories, multisensory instruction, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports. The project empowers congregations to create environments where individuals of all abilities can participate fully in spiritual life.

Abstract only: No full text available.

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