Indispensable People
Making the Gospel Accessible to people of ALL abilities so that they may know Christ, grow in Him, and serve Him with the gifts He has given them.
Episodes
We explore how churches move from welcome to belonging by planning for physical, social, and spiritual accessibility. Stories, checklists, and simple tools show how intentional hospitality helps people with disabilities and their families feel wanted and ready to grow and serve.
• the inclusion gap and why readiness matters
• a hospitality mindset that signals “you are wanted”
• two smart check‑in que...
We share how a simple hello can open doors for people with disabilities and how respect, kindness, and assuming competence reshape church culture. We outline training, practical first steps, and a Gospel-centered vision for true belonging.
• the top question: how to interact with people with disabilities
• start with hello as a practical, human first step
• reading cues and adjusting communication wit...
We explore how predictable transitions reduce anxiety and open ministry spaces to people of all abilities. Simple, low-cost tools like visual schedules, timers, and gentle cues build trust, increase engagement, and make the gospel more accessible.
• why transitions shape belonging and participation
• common barriers across sensory, cognitive, emotional, physical, and communication needs
• defining tra...
We share simple tools—if-then and now-next—that lower anxiety, improve transitions, and open real access to worship and community for people with disabilities. The focus is practical, personal, and rooted in a vision of social and spiritual accessibility.
• the scale of disability and the church participation gap
• individual needs first, not one-size-fits-all
• social and spiritual accessibility beyo...
We explore how communication barriers keep many disabled people outside church life and lay out practical tools that welcome them in. From captioning and ALDs to AAC, ASL, and visual schedules, we share strategies any church can adopt to turn access into discipleship.
• scale and impact of disability on church participation
• hearing impairments and practical fixes
• speech and language disorders supp...
What happens when we reduce someone to a label? We miss the fullness of who they are. Tracie Corll tackles this crucial conversation, revealing why the church must move beyond disability diagnoses to truly welcome everyone.
Through personal stories about her son Noah, Tracie illustrates how environment and comfort level dramatically affect how someone presents. A child who's hilarious and creative at hom...
Your nervous system makes decisions about safety before your conscious mind even catches up. This fascinating reality explains why creating genuinely inclusive environments for people with disabilities requires much more than good intentions—it demands understanding the science behind how we process new experiences.
Tracie Corll takes us deep into polyvagal theory, illuminating how our autonomic nervous syste...
What if we've been thinking about inclusion all wrong? While the world promotes the idea that inclusion means "I get to be wherever I want," genuine biblical inclusion offers something far more meaningful—the accessibility to serve exactly where God has called you.
This episode tackles the challenging terrain of what inclusion truly means within church communities, especially when it comes to d...
Stimming behaviors, when properly understood and supported, can be bridges to connection rather than barriers to inclusion. What might appear unusual to neurotypical people serves crucial self-regulating functions for those with autism or ADHD.
• Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) includes repetitive movements like hand flapping, rocking, or vocalizations
• These behaviors help individuals self-regulat...
The gap is staggering—25% of Americans have disabilities, yet 80% of them never cross the threshold of our churches. In this thought-provoking exploration of neurodevelopmental conditions, host Tracy Correll unpacks the complex characteristics of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and the fascinating paradox that emerges when both conditions occur simultaneously in an individual.
We begin by examining ADHD'...
Learning disabilities affect how the brain processes information and are not related to intelligence, yet 80% of people with disabilities aren't in our churches. As a mother and ministry leader who has navigated this journey with my son, I share insights about the neurological nature of learning disabilities and how churches can better serve this population.
• Learning disabilities are neurological disor...
The evolution of autism terminology has shifted dramatically over time, from PDD-NOS and Asperger's to the current three levels of autism in the DSM-5. Understanding these changes helps church leaders better serve individuals with autism while recognizing that getting to know each person is far more valuable than relying on diagnostic labels.
• Over 65 million Americans (25% of the population) have a dis...
Every person deserves the opportunity to know Christ, grow in Him, and serve Him with their unique gifts, regardless of ability. This episode explores the complex, interrelated concepts of special interests, hyperfocus, and perseveration (looping) in individuals with autism and ADHD.
• Special interests provide joy, purpose, and self-regulation, potentially leading to expertise and career paths
• Hyperfoc...
Teen disability ministry is a forgotten area between children's and adult ministries that deserves more attention. Teenagers with disabilities often engage in "masking"—hiding their natural behaviors to fit in—which prevents them from fully being who God created them to be.
• Over 65 million Americans have a disability (25% of population), but over 80% aren't in churches
• Teenagers pr...
Every person deserves the opportunity to know Christ, grow in Him and serve Him with the gifts He has given, regardless of their ability. The church is missing 80% of the 65 million Americans who have disabilities, and understanding structured logical thinking in autism can help bridge this gap.
• Structured logical thinking in autism involves preference for order, routine, and predictability
• People wit...
Tracie Corll addresses the challenge of creating church environments welcoming to those with sensory sensitivities. Over 80% of the 65 million Americans with disabilities aren't in churches, highlighting a significant gap in religious inclusivity.
• Understanding that sensory sensitivities involve both heightened and reduced responsiveness to stimuli
• Recognizing the difference between preferences (...
Disability ministry has dramatically evolved over decades, shifting from institutionalization and separation to comprehensive inclusion recognizing every person's value as part of the body of Christ.
• Statistics show the US population with disabilities has increased from 10-12% in the 1960s-80s to 26% today
• Historical treatment often included institutionalization, hiding people with disabilities, ...
We explore the critical differences between serving children and adults with disabilities in church settings, offering practical strategies for creating inclusive environments that honor each person's unique needs and life stage.
• Over 65 million Americans have disabilities (25% of population), yet 80% aren't inside church walls
• Children with disabilities benefit from predictable routines, vi...
Let's explore how spiritual development applies to people with disabilities, focusing on practical strategies for discipleship and growth within church communities. With 25% of Americans having a disability but over 80% absent from churches, this episode examines how to create accessible pathways for everyone to know Christ, grow in relationship with Him, and serve using their unique gifts.
• Building ph...
Church culture often overlooks a startling reality - while 25% of Americans have a disability, 80% aren't in our churches. This disconnect between our theology and practice demands a shift in perspective to recognize that different is not less.
• Every person is created in God's image, regardless of ability
• Society constantly whispers that those with disabilities are "less than"
...
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