Recently I guest authored a blog for Fuller Youth Institute about youth ministry and disability. You can check it out here! Twenty-six percent of Americans have an identified disability—it’s the biggest minority group in our country. We all have teenagers in our youth programs who receive supports and services for disabilities. Figuring out the best waysContinue reading “5 tips to rethink the strengths and gifts of youth with disabilities in your ministry”
Author Archives: Deborah Huggins, MDiv, PhD
Listening to The Real Experts on Disability Inclusion
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,Continue reading “Listening to The Real Experts on Disability Inclusion”
Inclusion for the Long Haul
Inclusion takes a long time. It’s slow work, patient work, like tending a garden, or raising kids. You have to be there to patiently support things that go well, and to shape and change when things don’t go well. It takes care and attention. In some ways, that’s what makes it good work for theContinue reading “Inclusion for the Long Haul”
“A Threat to Justice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere;” The legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Disability Rights Movement
The American’s with Disabilities Act paved the way for accessibility, services and supports necessary for people with disabilities to engage fully in our communities. This landmark legislation was the result of years of advocacy, policy work, and legislation, and it was built on the Civil rights movement. Disability rights are civil rights, and the workContinue reading ““A Threat to Justice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere;” The legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Disability Rights Movement”
Inclusive Language in Worship
Disability Awareness Lessons- 3 tips for success
Perspective taking is powerful for children, and disability awareness lessons can be a great way to help children understand disabilities. It’s important when designing and choosing materials that we promote a positive view of disability, and that we stay away from stereotypes. Keep it Simple Although we might have a goal for children to beContinue reading “Disability Awareness Lessons- 3 tips for success”
Inclusive Forms
I’ve had a couple of requests for examples of forms that assess interests and ask for supports. Here are a couple that we use in our ministry. Here is one for children and one for young adults:
Illustrated Bulletin
I’ve had a couple of requests for bulletin augmented with icons to support engagement in worship. Here is a sample!
5 Tips to Help you Nurture Leaders of all Abilities in your Faith Community
Faith communities build leaders- we see the same story across American History- from the revolutionary war to the modern civil rights movement, leaders nurtured in their faith communities as young people, who go on to bring our country into a better and brighter future. As faith communities, who we call and nurture as lay andContinue reading “5 Tips to Help you Nurture Leaders of all Abilities in your Faith Community”
Designing Registration to Support Inclusion of People with Disabilities
Welcome back to religious education and worship after the summer holidays means that it’s time to think about registration forms, welcome pads, usher information and other updates to how we take attendance and register people for events in our faith communities. As you take a look at these forms and procedures, think about universal designContinue reading “Designing Registration to Support Inclusion of People with Disabilities”
Belonging 