The best ways for your church to support our families are also the most straightforward.

Build Relationships

We believe relationships are foundational to helping individuals and families with disabilities thrive. Therefore, one of the first steps in fostering this type of environment at church is to get to know the people in your church who have a family member with a disability.

Ask Questions

In our experience, individuals with disabilities often feel a lack of connection and belonging because others are afraid to ask what they might need. Because all people are different, there is no specific script. What helps one individual thrive might not help the next family. Asking families what could enhance their experience in the church setting can begin the process of creating an environment of love and belonging for all people.

Build Awareness and Be Open to Learning

One of the reasons it is so hard to love those who are different from us is that we don’t understand one another. If churches can provide an environment that has a simple awareness of those with disabilities and what they might need, that is a great first step in providing a place for all to thrive. Remaining teachable and working toward ongoing education on the topic of disability can bring unity and a strong sense of belonging to those with disabilities and their families.