Disability Advocacy Among Religious Organizations

Histories and Reflections

Gain insight into the importance of advocacy for the disabled within various religious and secular organizations

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Romans 13:9) Through the years, religious organizations have worked to fulfill this biblical mandate. Disability Advocacy Among Religious Organizations: Histories and Reflections chronicles the progress of different ministries’ advocacy for the disabled since 1950 as they worked toward fulfilling this mission. This enlightening history of several religious organizations’ efforts charts the trends in advocacy while offering readers insight into ways to assist people with disabilities both within religious organizations and in society. Issues are explored by drawing upon numerous documents, communications, and in-depth reviews of the advocates’ work.

This book draws together in a single volume the stories of various religious organizations and their struggles to advocate for the disabled. Because of society’s tendency to isolate and fear them, special needs individuals such as the mentally and physically disabled have long found it difficult to be accepted, understood, or to receive proper care. However, ministries strive to be advocates for all of their members and their needs, including education, treatment, and appropriate legislation. Disability Advocacy Among Religious Organizations: Histories and Reflections recounts the steps organizations have taken to focus on ending isolation and fear through inclusion and appropriate care of members with various disabilities. These historical accounts examine the depth, breadth, and on-going need for disability advocacy in religious organizations.

Disability Advocacy Among Religious Organizations: Histories and Reflections discusses the advocacy backgrounds of:

• the World Council of Churches

• the National Council of Churches

• National Catholic Partnership on Disability

• National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry

• American mainline Protestant denominations-the American Baptist Convention, Disciples of Christ, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Methodist Church, and the United Church of Christ

• the Christian Reformed Church

• American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) Religion and Spirituality Division

• Bethesda Lutheran homes and Services, Inc.

• the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities (CCPD)

• Friendship Ministries

• Joni and Friends

• the Mennonite advocacy for persons with disabilities

• the Religion and Disability Program of the National Organization on Disability

Disability Advocacy Among Religious Organizations: Histories and Reflections is valuable reading for clergy and laypeople in disability advocacy in religious organizations, educators, students, seminary students preparing for ministries, and religious historians.