UCC Disabilities Ministries has published many excellent, but largely under-utilized, resources. The following is a brief description of these resources:
A History of Disability Advocacy in the United Church of Christ by Albert Herzog ($3.00). Available from the Office of UCC Disabilities Ministries.
The Local Church and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
is a comprehensive overview of the ADA as it legally and morally affects the church community. How-to’s, cost figuring, and examples of barrier removal are concisely discussed. Relevant terms are well-defined. The Local Church Accessibility Checklist and the illustrated guide of Building Code Specifications can be invaluable when contracting for renovations and spending limited funds on architectural access.
Is Everyone Welcome? A Guide to Ministries with Persons with Disabilities
is a newly updated publication. This booklet is designed to help congregations become truly accessible to all. The authors encourage a searching inventory of potential architectural and attitudinal barriers. A variety of disabilities, both obvious (mobility impairment) and unseen (traumatic brain injury, mental illness) are discussed.
Practical Helps for Church Ushers
is a tri-fold brochure for ushers and others providing specific recommendations for welcoming persons with visual, hearing, speech, and mobility impairments, as well as developmental disabilities and mental illness. This resource is frequently used as a sensitivity training tool for education in interpersonal communication skills. Basic suggestions ease the uncertainties many people feel upon greeting a person with a disability.
Respite Care and the Church
is written for congregations that include children and adults with disabilities and chronic illness who require continual care. This is a resource guide that promotes awareness and the ability to establish a Respite Care Ministry to give periodic relief to caregivers.
Resources for Worship on Access Sunday
includes scripture and liturgy, sermon ideas, and worship resources for ministry with people who have disabilities in celebration of UCC Access Sunday, the second Sunday in October. Easily duplicated.
NCPWD Resource Folder
includes the resources listed above and a periodically revised bibliography of suggested resources for ministry with persons with disabilities. The Resource Folder also contains the UCCDM newsletter and inserts on disability etiquette, “person-first” language, Christian education of adults and children, strategies for accessibility with minimum cost, and multi-sensory worship ideas. The folder contains important information and materials from the UCC Mental Illness Network (MIN).
These resources can be ordered from UC Resources:
Letters from My Sisters – Words of Wisdom and Comfort for Women Living with a Brain Disorder Commonly Known As Mental Illness
Letters from My Sisters – Words of Wisdom and Comfort for Women Living with Disabilities
Mosiac Series, –In God’s Image
