Anabaptist Disabilities Network

Church disability assessment survey now available

A congregational assessment survey is being offered by the Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN), based in Elkhart, Ind., to help congregations assess their levels of accessibility to persons with various disabilities, including mental illness. The online survey automatically registers and keeps track of results, so that the network may use the survey to generate an ADN accessibility seal for use on congregational websites. The seal, pictured below, has five emblems for each area of accessibility. Congregations can apply for emblems in as many of the five categories as desired:

Making welcoming spaces for all

‘It turns out that when we make spaces more welcoming and nurturing for people with disabilities, we make spaces that are more welcoming and nurturing for all.’ (Photo by Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)

When I was a pastor, I learned we had a few young people with autism in our youth group. In order to begin creating an environment that felt more comfortable, I provided a big basket of fidgets on the table in the centre of the room. I expected that youth with autism would use them to help reduce anxiety and increase focus.

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