The upcoming Disability Summit will be held in New Orleans, LA on Friday, September 25th. This event is co-sponsored by the Disability Committee of the Louisiana Annual Conference.
Schedule
We will have a variety of speakers with different topics. See the schedule here. The cost is $25 which covers the membership fee. This will be a hybrid event for individuals unable to attend. Limited $25 Rev. Nancy Webb Scholarships are available to cover just the event registration (not hotel or travel).
Location Information
The gathering will be at St. Matthew’s UMC in Metairie, Louisiana. This is 3 miles from the hotel and 6 miles away from the airport.
Press Release
Click here for the press release.
Flyer
Click here for the flyer.
Hotel Information
A bloc of rooms for $53 a night at the La Quinta New Orleans Airport is available. Van service between the hotel and the church will be available by AMD in the morning and the afternoon or persons can reserve an Uber. Participants should call the hotel directly to ensure they have an accessible room and to see if it is accommodating for their specific needs. Reserve your room here.
LA Quinta New Orleans Airport
2610 Williams Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70062
504-466-1401
Contact Rev. Leo Yates at leoyjr@gmail.com with any questions.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Disability Summit 2026 to Bring United Methodist Leaders Together for Worship, Learning, and Inclusive Ministry
Metairie, Louisiana — Church leaders, disability advocates, clergy, laity, caregivers, and ministry partners are invited to gather for the Disability Summit 2026 at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church on September 25th in Metairie, Louisiana. Centered on the theme of Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”, the summit will focus on strengthening disability ministries, promoting accessibility, and fostering a more inclusive church for all.
The one-day event is co-sponsored by the Disability Committee of the Louisiana Annual Conference. The cost is $25 and covers the AMD membership. It will provide opportunities for worship, education, networking, and meaningful conversations that equip participants to better serve people with disabilities throughout The United Methodist Church.
The summit begins at 9:30 a.m. with a welcome, followed by worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m. Throughout the day, attendees will participate in presentations and discussions on disability justice, trauma-informed care, neurodiversity, and connectional ministry. The program also includes an AMD History presentation, fellowship over lunch, and concludes with a Covenant Service before departure at 3:30 p.m.
Featured sessions include:
- Disability Justice: Inviting Ministry Partners to the Conversation
- Trauma-Informed Care & Disabilities
- Neurodiversity and Sensitizing the Church
- Connectionalism: Disability Ministry Conversations
- AMD History Presentation
- Worship with Holy Communion and Covenant Service
The Disability Summit is designed to encourage collaboration among ministry leaders while providing practical resources for creating welcoming, accessible congregations where every individual can fully participate in the life of the church.
Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.
For questions regarding the summit agenda or additional information, please contact:
Rev. Leo Yates
Email: leoyjr@gmail.com
About the Disability Summit
The Disability Summit brings together members of The United Methodist Church and ministry partners committed to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and belonging for people with disabilities. Through worship, education, and collaboration, participants are equipped to strengthen disability ministries within their local churches, annual conferences, and communities.
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