Listening to The Real Experts on Disability Inclusion

The Rev. Deborah Huggins is pictured with some of the children she serves as associate pastor of youth and children at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, New Jersey. (Contributed photo)

Check out this Article by Paul Seebeck on our Disability Inclusion Tool Kit!

LOUISVILLE — A new Disability Inclusion Toolkit  from the Office of Christian Formation will help Presbyterians continue along the path of congregational inclusivity.

As a participant in Faith and Disability, A Practical Guide for Church Leaders, the Rev. Deborah Huggins, associate pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, New Jersey, is an advocate and researcher for the inclusion of  people with disabilities in faith communities.

Working in the church, Huggins knows how difficult it can be to implement a capital campaign to install elevators or even ramps. But what research shows, she says, is that attitudes in a congregation can be an even bigger barrier than any physical challenge to accessibility.

“You don’t have to be an expert to be inclusive. You do have to listen to the real experts — those with disabilities,” she said.

Keep reading the article here! https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/listening-to-the-real-experts-on-disability-inclusion/

Published by Deborah Huggins, MDiv, PhD

I'm blessed to serve as associate pastor of youth and children at Central Presbyterian church in Summit New Jersey where I get to support families as we find connection to God and our community. My doctorate is in Special education, with a focus in faith inclusion.

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