Advancing Access and Belonging
We are pleased to share the successful conclusion of our ‘Raising Awareness and Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Christian Community’ project. This program was made possible through a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
During this project, we consulted with four congregations in Michigan, Texas, Washington, and California. The Faith and Spirituality team visited each congregation to lead accessibility and inclusion training, conduct accessibility audits of the physical spaces and community practices, and meet with congregational leaders to support strategic planning. Our team convened two virtual gatherings which included training on the foundations of disability inclusion and digital accessibility and facilitated discussions among cohort members to learn from each other’s successes. We created a series of resources for the congregations.
Creating Inclusive Spaces
At Central Synagogue in New York, Shelly Christensen, Senior Director of Faith and Spirituality at Disability Belongs™, led a powerful virtual training focused on creating inclusive and supportive environments for neurodivergent participants. Drawing on her expertise in faith inclusion, Shelly offered practical strategies to help lay leaders engage neurodivergent community members in meaningful ways. The training emphasized that neurodiversity is a vital part of every faith community and that with the right understanding and support, all individuals can fully participate, contribute, and flourish in spiritual life.
