Presbyterians for Disability Concerns welcomes those who affirm, support and advocate for the gifts, rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities in the total life of the church.

Join PHEWA and take part in this ministry.

Four consultants are available to help with questions about welcoming persons with disabilities.

Meet our Disability Concerns Consultants.

Disability Access/Inclusion Sunday

June 28, 2009

For many years, Disability Access/Inclusion Sunday resources have been a gift to the church from Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC). The theme for the June 28, 2009, Sunday emphasis reflects the faith, experiences and challenges of writers with disabilities as they encounter Scripture. PDC offers these reflections that all will be able to enter, worship, learn and lead in our congregations. [Read more]

Be the full embodiment of the household of God

Congregational Audit of Disability Accessibility and Inclusion

The Audit is intended to assist a congregation in taking seriously the call for the church to be the full embodiment of the household of God and a “house of prayer” for all peoples (in this instance persons who have a disability).This Audit is also intended to help congregations pinpoint specific areas for present and future concentration of effort. Use this Audit a a tool for conversation and ministry review by a variety of persons within your congregation.

Further resources for use with this audit

• Creating a Task Force on Disability Issues for Your Church
• Sign Language Interpretation

PC(USA) Disability Policy

Living into the Body of Christ:
Towards Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities

Disabilities paper as approved by the 217th General Assembly (2006), includes a study guide.

Free single downloads available

Order multiple copies
$4.00 • Item # OGA06091

Presbyterian Panel Report: Disabilities Issues

How accessible to persons with disabilities are your church’s programs and facilities? Read this report from Research Services to learn how Presbyterians around the country answer, and compare the results to your own congregation. Other findings from this 2004 survey include the prevalence of disabilities by type among individual Presbyterians and their families and church staffs, impediments that have kept congregations from being more fully inclusive, and familiarity with denominational resources on disabilities.

Make your church more accessible

Our Disability Concerns Consultants provide concrete ways to make your church more accessible to persons with disabilities. [Read more]

2008 Nancy Jennings Award recipient

Webster Presbyterian Church in Webster, New York

Establishing a presbytery committee on disability concerns

The Rev. Bebe Baldwin, PDC Leadership Team

Advocates working for full inclusion of persons with disabilities often feel that they are “preaching to the choir.” One in five persons lives with a disability, yet many remain barred from full participation in the life of the church because of attitudinal or architectural barriers. The abilities of many who are “differently gifted” are overlooked. Their concerns are often ignored by other church groups working for social justice.

A presbytery committee on disability concerns offers opportunities for addressing these issues. The following suggestions are based on several years’ experience by advocacy groups in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. [Read more]

Making your church’s Web site accessible

The Rev. Rick Roderick, PDC Leadership Team and Disability Consultant for Visual Disabilities, Louisville, Ky.

Designing an accessible Web site is an excellent means of providing valuable information and easy navigation for all web users. Welcoming existing church members and prospective new members via an accessible Web site is an excellent form of evangelism.

Many of us who are blind or visually impaired use the Internet. Speech technology is available that allows the selective reading of what is on the computer screen. Braille displays contain pins that move up and down to represent dots allowing Braille users the ability to read and print out Web site information in Braille. Screen enlargement software makes print easier to read for some people with low vision. [Read more]

Suggested Guidelines for Committees on Preparation for Ministry for Candidates with Disabilities in Accommodating Ordination Exams

Prepared by Nancy Olthoff, Ph.D. for Presbyterians for Disability Concerns

Endorsed by the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates

Ordination examinations are required of each candidate prior to entering professional ministry. This booklet has been prepared to facilitate the process of administering ordination exams to persons with disabilities.

Download Suggested Guidelines for Committees on Preparation for Ministry for Candidates with Disabilities in Accommodating Ordination Exams.