Disability Leadership Guide for the Church

Leading Toward Belonging, Accessibility, and Justice

The Church is called to be the Body of Christ, where every person is valued, every gift is needed, and every member has a place. A Disability Leadership Guide below provides a framework for congregations, ministries, and leaders to recognize, equip, and support disabled people as leaders, disciples, and partners in God’s work. Customized leadership trainings and mentorships with ordained clergy with disabilities are available by emailing Rev. Leo Yates at leoyjr@gmail.com.

Disability leadership is not simply about creating programs for disabled people. It is about transforming the Church so that disabled people participate fully in worship, decision-making, ministry, and mission. When disabled people lead, the whole Church is strengthened by their gifts, wisdom, experiences, and witness. Servant leadership embodies both clergy AND lay people, including people with disabilities, as everyone witnesses the love and grace of Christ.

A Theological Foundation

We believe that:

Every person is created in the image of God and has sacred worth.
Disabled people are essential members of the body of Christ, not recipients of charity or objects of ministry.
God calls disabled people to leadership, service, teaching, advocacy, justice-work, and ministry.
Accessibility is an expression of Christian love, justice, and hospitality.
The Church is incomplete when any members are excluded from full participation.

Rooted in Wesleyan theology, we affirm that God’s grace is at work in every person and that holiness includes our relationships with one another. Social holiness calls the Church to challenge systems and practices that prevent people from flourishing.

Principles of Disability Leadership

1. Nothing About Us Without Us

Disabled people should be included in conversations, planning, and decisions that affect their lives and ministries. Leadership structures should include disabled voices at every level.

2. Leadership Is a Calling

Disability does not limit a person’s ability to serve God. Disabled people are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit for ministry, leadership, and witness.

3. Accessibility Is a Spiritual Practice

Accessibility is more than compliance or accommodation. It is a commitment to removing barriers so that all people can participate fully in the life of the Church.

4. Move From Charity to Partnership

The Church is called to move beyond models that view disabled people only as those who receive care. True Christian community is built on mutuality, shared gifts, and relationships of respect.

5. Recognize Diverse Experiences

Disability includes many experiences, cultures, identities, and perspectives. Churches should honor physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, mental health, and other forms of disability.

Practices for Churches

Churches can strengthen disability leadership by:

Inviting disabled people into leadership roles and decision-making bodies.
Ensuring accessible worship, meetings, educational programs, and communication.
Providing disability awareness and inclusion training for clergy and lay leaders.
Supporting disabled leaders through mentoring, resources, and opportunities for growth.
Valuing Deaf culture and accessible communication, including American Sign Language where appropriate.
Consulting disabled people when developing ministries, policies, and facilities.
Challenging ableist assumptions and practices within church life.

Building the Beloved Community

Disability leadership reflects God’s vision of the Beloved Community—a community where every person is known, valued, and empowered to contribute. The Church does not become more inclusive by simply making room for disabled people; it becomes more faithful by recognizing that disabled people have always been part of God’s story.

Together, we seek a Church where disabled people lead, belong, and flourish as beloved children of God.

Accessibility

Ensuring accessibility can also be a part of leadership. Here are a couple of resources:

Disability Ministries Committee – Accessibility Audit (this form is required for churches to complete at charge conference each year)

Congregational Accessibility Audit & Beloved Community Form | Training Modules

Churches are encouraged to recruit a volunteer to be an “Accessibility Coordinator” so individuals and families have someone to contact, who will listen, and offer assistance when needed. This is one of the BEST ways to ensure accessibility and inclusion next to having a disability ministries committee. Here are a few resources:

Accessibility Coordinator Job Description (the footnotes have MANY resources) | Training Module

Disability Accessibility Survey (to be filled out by both disabled and non-disabled congregants)

Guest / Visitor Cards that include accessibility