RCA Disability Awareness Sunday Resources

Disability Awareness Sunday encourages congregations to grow in becoming places of belonging for everyone and to discover ways to engage their gifts in ministry — with a particular focus on people with disabilities. Reformed Church in America (RCA) Disability Awareness Sunday is observed on the second Sunday in October, in collaboration with Disability Week in the Christian Reformed Church in North America and various disability organizations in North America. Depending on your church’s calendar, other Sundays would be appropriate as well.

2016 Resources on Employment of People with Disabilities

• Bulletin insert, “Employment and Disability.” To print these yourself, feel free to use the gray scale or color copies below. To request printed color inserts (free to RCA churches), contact Terry DeYoung and provide church name, shipping address, quantity, and date needed.
• Fall 2016 issue of Breaking Barriers newsletter (personal stories with an employment theme). Coming in late September. Review the guidelines for the Fall 2016 issue if you would like to submit an article.
• Putting Faith to Work: The Call and Opportunity for Faith Communities to Transform the Lives of People with Disabilities and Their Communities. Church communities have the opportunity and capacity to transform the lives of many people with disabilities, their families, and their communities by helping people find meaningful jobs, assume valued roles, and share their gifts and vocation with others. Putting Faith To Work enables faith communities to address the employment needs of some of their members, by connecting people with disabilities to quality employment opportunities through the natural networks represented by congregational members, and to provide (or make linkages to) other supports. 
• Find many more resources in the areas of worship, study, hospitality, and employment on the RCA Disability Concerns website. 

Contact Us
To explore ways your congregation can become more accessible to and welcoming of people with disabilities — and make a difference beyond the walls of your church — contact the Rev. Terry DeYoung, RCA Coordinator for Disability Concerns (616-541-0855; [email protected]).