These job descriptions give guidelines for volunteer disability advocates who serve individual churches (Church Advocates) and groups of churches (Regional Advocates).
Here's a quick summary of what church disability advocates are asked to do:
- Identify the needs of church members living with a disability (and their loved ones) and together explore with church leaders appropriate ways for the church to respond.
- Encourage the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the church so that their God-given abilities are utilized fully.
- Assist people with disabilities and their families (as appropriate) to identify needed resources.
- Offer Disability Concerns resources to the congregation, including Breaking Barriers.
- Advocate for the adoption of a disability policy by church leaders and assist in its implementation.
- Establish and implement annual goals to improve the congregation's welcome and engagement of people with disabilities.
- Communicate yearly with the Regional (Classis) Advocate for Disability Concerns and participate in training opportunities when possible.