Disability Awareness Sunday
Inclusive ministry is ministry that enables, empowers, and engages all people within the worshiping community, regardless of ability. This stems from a belief that God has created us as equally valued people in God’s image... It may be summarized in the motto, “ministry by and with people with disabilities” in contrast to “ministry for people with disabilities.” It is opening the doors of the church to include those with disabilities to fully participate in the life of the body of Christ. (https://disabilityandfaith.org/)
Disability Awareness Sunday is an opportunity to be intentional about disability awareness within the Church. It is also about celebrating people with disabilities in their gifts and recognising that we are all valuable members of the Body of Christ. The 2025 theme is 'Respect'.
We want 'Respect' to shape the fundamental way we interact with every person. 'Respect' goes far beyond seven letters; to help us explore this concept, we've selected three key-words we think help to put 'Respect' into practice. The three words are: Equal: We need to treat each other with kindness and equal importance. Value: We all have an inherent value as humans made in God’s image. Dignity: We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. (Elevate Christian Disability Trust) General Resources
My Body is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny (book)
"Much of the church has forgotten that we worship a disabled God whose wounds survived resurrection, says Amy Kenny. It is time for the church to start treating disabled people as full members of the body of Christ who have much more to offer than a miraculous cure narrative and to learn from their embodied experiences. Written by a disabled Christian, this book shows that the church is missing out on the prophetic witness and blessing of disability. Kenny reflects on her experiences inside the church to expose unintentional ableism and cast a new vision for Christian communities to engage disability justice. She shows that until we cultivate church spaces where people with disabilities can fully belong, flourish, and lead, we are not valuing the diverse members of the body of Christ. Here is an Facebook Live interview with Amy Kelly Soujourners Article (Amy Kenny) Tools for Church ChangeEverybody Welcome: A guide on how to make your church disability friendly (Elevate Christian Disability Trust)
Luke14 Training (CBM Australia) - Free training to equip you and your community. Supporting people with disabilities in your church (PHAB Pasifika, in partnership with Le Va) - includes four A2 posters featuring young Pasifika people with their messages of inclusion. 
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Kids & Families ResourcesBe All In: A Ministry Guide for Special Needs Inclusion in Children's Ministry (Lifeway)
Including Children with Disabilities in the Life of the Church (Discipleship Ministries UMC) - quite an old resource now but has some great practical suggestions for both big picture values and nitty gritty of curriculum, activities, and behaviour. 10 Practical Ways to Make Your Kids’ Ministry Disability Friendly (Ministry Spark) A simple reflection tool (Erik Carter) - a resource for schools, but you could replace the word 'student' with 'children' and reflect on how you are creating a space for all children to belong in your churches. What you need to know about my son's special needs (Childrensministry.com) - Article from a mum. Disability Awareness Sunday resourcesIdeas for marking Disability Awareness Sunday (Elevate Christian Disability Trust) - includes some that would be suitable for children's programs or intergenerational settings.
UK Disability Awareness Sunday Resources for 2024 & 2025 (Through The Roof) Kids TalksJesus and Bartimaeus (The Presbyterian Outlook) - In this lesson, children will explore the story of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and they’ll consider where and how God is calling them to enable inclusion of all God’s people in Christ’s church.
Children's BookThe Big Wide Welcome is a book by Trill Newbell, and published by the Good Book Company.
This beautiful hardback Bible storybook for 3-6-year-olds uses the Bible’s teaching on favoritism from James chapter 2 to encourage children to love and welcome people regardless of their wealth, personality, or background, just like Jesus does. Download a "Our churches should be big-wide-welcome places – places where there are no favorites, and everyone is loved" colouring sheet 
Conversation starters(Elevate Christian Disability Trust)
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Media
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For those on facebook you might like to check out this wee video for kids (Salvation Army Australia)
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