Resources for Disability Awareness Sunday 2024

Disability Awareness Sunday is quickly approaching! It's celebrated on October 13 in all RCA churches and on October 20 in all CRC churches. This year’s theme is the fully accessible church. It's time to start planning. Here are some ideas to help you as you plan for Disability Awareness Sunday:

• Many churches have already ordered bulletin inserts but if they are needed they are attached below. Print full screen to make them large print.
• Link to 30 Indicators of an Anti-ableist, Fully accessible Church in your weekly email or hang it in your lobby.
• Launch an adult education series or short-term small group that goes through the recordings of the training Nurturing Belonging: Exploring Hospitality, Disability and Theology.
• Consider introducing a new element of worship that doesn’t rely on words. You could add sign language to a song, offer praise ribbons or launch scent-free worship. We gathered up dozens of ideas at a recent event.
• Choose scripture verses related to disability.
• Incorporate a prayer or litany connected to disability.
• Invite someone with a disability to share their story.
• Share one of these short videos during your worship service:
  5 stages of disability attitudes (YouTube 5:26)
  Psalm 139 (Vimeo 2:05)
  The Apostles Creed (Vimeo 2:23)
  Carried to the Table (Vimeo 4:02)
• Take an offering to financially support Thrive's disability and accessibility work or RCA Disability Concerns.