Going Back to Basics

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Tracie Corll explores practical strategies for creating welcoming churches for people with disabilities, focusing on foundational elements that make disability ministry most effective. 

• Physical accessibility is essential—ramps, accessible restrooms, and adequate parking ensure people can fully participate
• Communication accessibility through large print materials, captions, audio descriptions, and digital resources helps everyone engage
• Congregational education on disability awareness, respectful language, and overcoming misconceptions breaks down barriers
• Inviting people with disabilities into inclusive ministry activities fosters genuine belonging and community
• Buddy programs provide practical support during church activities and build meaningful relationships
• Transportation assistance addresses a critical barrier for many who cannot drive themselves
• Flexibility in adapting programs accommodates diverse needs and preferences
• Securing leadership support from pastors and board members is crucial for sustainable ministry
• Building a supportive volunteer team with clear roles prevents burnout
• Utilizing existing training resources helps equip volunteers and leaders effectively

For deeper dives into these topics and more, check out indispensable-people.com and visit Amazon to purchase the books The Indispensable Kid and Gospel Accessibility and the Indispensable People.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hi, my name is Tracy Correll and welcome to
Indispensable People.
I'm a wife, mom, teacher,pastor and missionary, and I
believe that every person shouldhave the opportunity to know
Christ, grow in Him and serveHim with the gifts that he has
given, no matter their ability.
Over 65 million Americans havea disability.
That's 25% of the population.

(00:26):
However, over 80% of them arenot inside the walls of our
church.
Let's dive into those hardtopics biblical foundations,
perceptions and welcome to thisepisode of Indispensable People.

(00:56):
We're talking about creating awelcoming church.
What are some of the toptangible things that can be done
to make disability ministrymost effective in your church,
whether you are just starting orlooking to enhance your
existing program?
We hope that this episode ispacked with practical advice to

(01:19):
guide you Because listen, thereis endless pieces of information
and advice that exists outthere.
So how can we boil it down andget to the most important?
I remember whenever I waspregnant for the first time and

(01:40):
I just I wanted to know all thethings.
I wanted to be a good mom and Iwanted to do the right things.
And I wanted to know all thethings.
I wanted to be a good mom and Iwanted to do the right things
and I wanted to make sure mykids had everything they needed.
And there is this mom at mychurch and they were youth
leaders, but her children wereolder teens, almost young adult
age, and they were fantastichumans age and they were

(02:03):
fantastic humans and I rememberlooking at her and saying
whatever you do, I need you toshare with me Like I want to
know your things, I want to havechildren, like your children,
and all of the things, and Iwanted to soak up anything that

(02:24):
she had to offer.
And so I hope today, this iswhat this is for you, because we
can get lost in all the details.
We can try to do all the thingsall at one time.
And, first of all, it's notpossible, if you are one person

(02:45):
serving and leading the chargein your church, to minister to
people with special needs.
You're one person.
You can't do everything, youcan't be everything to everyone.
And I want you to know, firstof all, thank you for what you
do, thank you.
You to know, first of all,thank you for what you do, thank

(03:09):
you.
Second, I want you to know thatyour heart, your passion and
your intent means a lot to thefamilies that you are impacting?
And last, how can we get to thebasics and then, as we get to
understand and know the peoplethat we're serving, add the
extras in, because thedisability is vast, the

(03:34):
diagnoses are endless, the needsare huge, but we can boil down
the basics and then, as we meetand engage with people, we can
provide what they need becausewe get to know them and we know
their true needs.
So, first and foremost,accessibility.

(03:57):
We always talk aboutaccessibility because if you
can't have access, can you be apart?
You can't.
So let's start with physicalaccessibility.
It's essential, absolutelyessential, to ensure that people
can physically access yourchurch.

(04:18):
Right, if they can't get in,they can't be a part of the
church, and if they can only bethere for part of it or in parts
of it, then you don't ever feelfully a part.
So these are things like arethere ramps for wheelchair
access?
And listen, you can havepermanent ones, you can buy

(04:39):
temporary ones that are lesscostly.
There are ways to do the thingsthat are needed.
Are restrooms accessible?
I know I've shared a storyabout a local church near to me
that just had a super oldbuilding, didn't have the
finances to change the bathroom,but the bathroom door was so

(05:01):
skinny that one of theirattendees had to decide do I
come for Sunday school, do Icome for church?
Because I can't make it throughboth.
So what do I do you want toconsider?
Is there adequate parking?
Is the parking within proximityof the building that makes it
easier for those individuals toget in?
Those adjustments can make asignificant difference in

(05:25):
welcoming all individuals.
So, physical access we want tomake sure people can get in your
buildings.
That is going to be afoundational building piece of a
special needs ministry, adisability ministry.
The next thing we want to talkabout communication
accessibility and this isn'treally something that we've

(05:46):
termed this before, but it'ssimple, doable things like
offering large print materials,materials, audio descriptions,
captions for online services.
The way things are today, youcan make a YouTube video, load
it up there and hit the thingand it'll do all the stuff for

(06:07):
you.
It's fantastic.
Consider digital resourceswhich, by the way, if you do it
in digital, it costs less orBraille or audio versions of
bulletins, Bible study guides,and again, start with the basic,
the foundational communicationpieces, and then open up the

(06:29):
door to the needs that comethrough, but be aware of where
you can access those things.
These options ensure thateveryone can engage with your
church message and activities,communication, so important.
So we're starting with thephysical accessibility, then
we're moving on to communicationaccessibility.

(06:52):
But the next piece and we talkabout this so very, very often
your congregation.
Okay, they can get in thebuilding now, they can hear the
message, but what's going tohappen when they meet the people
?
Are the people going to bewelcoming?
Are the people going to be open?

(07:15):
Are they going to make thechurch accessible?
And education and awarenessit's crucial.
You need to train your churchon disability awareness,
respectful language, terms thatare offensive and common
misconceptions, even thesecommon misconceptions that are

(07:37):
rooted in scripture.
We've talked about thosetheological foundations that we
really need to be cautious about.
And why do we do this?
Because it fosters anenvironment of understanding and
respect.
We want to uphold someone'svalue and dignity and we want to
help them to feel as thoughthey belong, because that is the

(08:01):
way that God intended and wehave to be intentional about it.
And I can tell you differentstories about people who have
come into the church anddifferent ways that they've
engaged, and negatives andpositives.
And I can tell you about oneparticular young girl, who's
probably eight or nine at thetime and, for whatever reason,

(08:26):
probably rooted in sensory needsat that point, she would not go
into children's church.
The interesting part was shewouldn't go into children's
church, However, she would gointo the main service with
adults and so to be able toparticipate in worship in ways
that she enjoyed, her buddy tookher into the main service to

(08:50):
participate.
When she was in there she madenoises and she squealed and she
jumped up and down while she didworship and she did all of that
stuff.
And at one point one of thebuddies was kind of trying to
calm her body a little bit andour youth pastor's wife, who was
also the child care director atthe time, came over and said no

(09:11):
, no, no, you let her worship inthe way that she feels most
comfortable.
And the only reason that thebuddy at that point was trying
to kind of change her behavioror calm her to some degree was
because the people sittingaround her were starting to get

(09:31):
restless and a little bit upset.
And just engagement over timelearning, education, intentional
purpose in that changed the waythat people saw this particular
person and how they interacted.
And I will tell you one ofprobably the biggest

(09:52):
stereotypical barrier breakingmoments came in our church
whenever we did Night to Shine.
Because here's the thing whenwe have church and I'm going to
say this and I don't necessarilylike the way that it sounds,
but it's going to help me toconvey what I need to say which
is when we have a church and weinvite people with disabilities

(10:16):
in, they're kind of coming onour turf, in a sense, right Like
, this is our place where wefeel most comfortable, and when

(10:40):
I the event was for people withdisabilities, so we're asking
volunteers to come on peoplewith disabilities turf.
Right, this is the norm.
This event is totallysurrounded by them, it's set up
for them, it is thought about inevery aspect and designed to
specifically fit the needs ofthese individuals.

(11:01):
And it was a flip because thosevolunteers saw the fullness of
that individual in a space thatwas made for them and it helped
to flip a lot of that thinkingand a lot of those stereotypes
and really open the door to seehow God could work in their

(11:25):
lives.
So also, we want to consider, aswe talk about education and
building that inclusive language, promoting person-first
language, which is person with adisability rather than a
disabled person.
And you are going to hear itboth ways and here's what I am
going to give you wisdom-wise inthat area it's going to be very

(11:50):
individual.
People feel they'll say I'm adisabled person and they're fine
with it.
They'll say I'm a disabledperson and they're fine with it.
They'll say I'm an autisticperson and they're fine with it.
And then you'll go to the nextperson and they won't be fine
with it.
So here's the thing.
The great thing about the churchis that I don't necessarily
have to use those terms.
I don't even have to beconcerned so much with someone's

(12:11):
diagnosis.
I just need to know what theyneed.
I just need to know what theyneed.
I just need to know how they'regoing to feel most comfortable
in church.
I just need to know how they'regoing to be able to best learn
about Jesus.
And so this is done not becauseI know their diagnosis, not
because I called them a Downsyndrome person or an autistic
person or a person with autismor a person with Down syndrome

(12:37):
person, or a person with autismor a person with Down syndrome.
So we want to be careful withlanguage, but we don't have to
be so stereotypical with it,because then we get ourselves
stuck in it and it's notnecessary.
So, moving on to things that wewant to create as foundational
pieces, things that we want tocreate as foundational pieces,
okay, we started with physicalaccessibility.

(12:58):
We moved on to creatingcommunication accessibility and
then educating and prepping ourcongregations by using inclusive
language and giving themimmersive experiences so that
they can see and understandpeople with disabilities.
But then we want to invite andencourage participation.
There are so many people thatare currently a part of the

(13:22):
disability ministry at my homechurch that never thought they
would be.
Why?
Because we asked them, becausewe told them that they were
capable, that we told them thatthey could do this, that they
could see people in such a way.
But not only do I want toinvite people into the

(13:45):
disability ministry, but I wantthem to start inviting people
with disabilities into aninclusive ministry, to include
people with disabilities, tojoin small groups and Bible
studies and social activities.
Because let me just give you anexample and I might have shared
in the past there's a lady at mychurch, her name is Carol, and

(14:09):
there is nothing that made memore happy Carol is currently a
widow.
Her husband passed away just acouple of years now, and last a
couple months ago, she posted onFacebook on her birthday and
she was out to dinner with somefriends and every single one of

(14:30):
those friends had a disability.
And they Carol brings them backand forth to church.
They do life together, theylive things out together, they
are a part of, they are fullyintegrated.
They are fully inclusive, theyare, they're friends, they're
Jesus believing people who dolife together and I love that,

(14:53):
because an invitation fosters asense of belonging and community
.
But it doesn't just foster asense right, like I'm not here
to just make people feel likethey fit.
I want people to fit becausewe're the body of Christ,
because we have the option to dothat, because that's what God

(15:13):
has asked us to do into beingthe body and being
interconnected.
Another thing we want to do andthis is going to be a piece and
part of that inclusion is thatbelonging is listening to needs,
understanding what is neededfrom that person, actively
listen and think about theirpreferences and their needs and

(15:39):
consider that as you're buildingprograms and events and
designing things.
That's going to be incrediblyimportant.
So here's some tangible piecesProvide a buddy program,
consider implementing buddyprograms, pairing individuals
with disabilities, withvolunteers for support,
especially during transitionsand unfamiliar activities.

(16:01):
This practical assistance canease participation and build
confidence.
Consider this is a big deal.
This next one A harder one,more expensive, one, more
liability, but incrediblybeneficial.
Consider offeringtransportation.
Transportation is a hugebarrier.

(16:23):
Many people with physicaldisabilities, intensive physical
disabilities and intellectualdisabilities are not drive me.
So how are they getting backand forth to church?
Is it dependent on a caregiver,a family member that can decide

(16:44):
hey, this isn't a priority forme, so they don't make it happen
.
Group homes, all of that kindof stuff you have.
There's so many things that canbe overcome if transportation
is offered.
Here's an easy one Be flexibleand adaptable.

(17:07):
That doesn't cost us a thing.
Recognize that needs are unique.
Be flexible and willing toadapt our programs, accommodate
various preferences andrequirements.
Adapt our programs, accommodatevarious preferences and
requirements.
Again, when we do things atchurches, they're not about us,
they're about the people that weserve.
And if the people that we servecan't be a part of it because

(17:31):
we won't adjust what we're doing, we really need to consider.
I read something one time.
I wish I could tell you who theauthor was, but I don't
remember.
That said, are you willing toshut something down if it means
that one person can't beincluded?
Would you be willing to changean activity, change an event, do

(17:54):
something completely differentbecause one person can't be
included?
You want to secure a leadershipsupport team.
Leading a special needsministry is absolutely
impossible if your lead pastorand your board is not on the
team.
You want to make sure that theyare committed to serving people

(18:18):
with disabilities, becausethey're going to help drive the
ministry.
You want to build a supportiveteam.
You want to have a core groupof people and then you want to
have branches of volunteers thatdo different kinds of things.
You want to seek out trainingand resources.
Utilize those resources.
You want to seek out trainingand resources.

(18:39):
Utilize those resources.
There are lots and lots ofministries like the one that I
serve.
Under that a good portion ofwhat I do is train and equip
churches.
Why?
Because you need support,because you can't do it on your
own and your volunteers aregoing to quit if they don't know
, if they feel like they don'tknow what they're doing.
Are going to quit if they don'tknow, if they feel like they
don't know what they're doing.

(19:00):
Also, remember not to overwhelmyourself and your volunteers.
Again, build those foundationalpieces like physical
accessibility, communicationwithin the church, educating
your people, being aware of yourstereotypes and your
perceptions and how you'reincluding people.
And then build your team.

(19:23):
Get your resources and justcheck in with the people that
you are welcoming, serving andincluding, because they're going
to help you to know thenecessities so that you don't
waste your time on the extrasand when I say waste your time
on the extras, it's just thingsthat just might not be necessary

(19:45):
.
They might be nice but theymight not be essential.
So you have to decide what isbest for you, your church and
the people that you serve.
I really hope that these tipsreally inspire you to take these
actionable steps whether you'rejust starting out or you're in
the midst of it to takeactionable steps towards a more

(20:08):
inclusive and impactful ministryserving people with special
needs.
Small changes can lead tosignificant transformations, and
we're not just.
These are life transformations.
So remember, you're servingwhat God calls indispensable.
We can do it with foundationsand we can make impactful,

(20:35):
significant transformations.
Do I know everything aboutdisability ministry?
Do I have all the answers?
Have I done everythingperfectly?
I have absolutely not, but weare going to continue this
conversation so that people ofall abilities can have the
opportunity to know Christ, growin Him and serve him with the

(20:57):
gifts that he has given them.
For deeper dives into thesetopics and more, check out
indispensablepeoplecom and visitAmazon to purchase the books
the Indispensable Kid and Gospel.
Accessibility and theindispensable people.