Why Inclusion 
Get Started 
Resources 
Awards Getting Started
Review the interfaith materials below and take the first steps on your congregation’s inclusion journey.
Worshippers recognize that they are welcome when the congregation demonstrates positive attitudes in the following ways:
- Emphasize talents, strengths and gifts rather than labeling people by their differences
- “Walk the talk” by investing in accessible parking and large-print materials, improving sound and lighting, and installing wheelchair ramps
- Give adults and children with special needs opportunities to serve others
- Don’t let invisible differences, such as learning differences, mental disorders, cancer or heart disease, prevent people from being active members
- Include children of all abilities in religious education classes and provide appropriate support
- Provide accommodations so that religious and lay leaders can continue to serve if they become affected by health concern, if they desire
- Create a “care committee” to connect with families dealing with special needs and offer assistance, respite, and social support
- Train volunteers to communicate and extend open arms to convey the warmth of God’s love
- Publicize your commitment to inclusion by displaying access symbols in newspaper advertisements, event announcements, and signage
- Include the words “All are welcome. Please call (insert phone number) so that we can provide accommodations for your participation.” in all event announcement
When writing or speaking about people who happen to have disabilities, words should be chosen with care in order to promote dignity and respect. Use “People First Language” to set an inclusive tone:
- Refer to the person first. Say “a man who uses a wheelchair” NOT “a wheelchair bound man.”
- If the disability isn’t critical to the story or conversation, don’t mention it.
- Describe a person, not a condition. For example, say “a person with epilepsy” NOT “an epileptic.”
- Never use the term “mentally retarded.” The acceptable terms are “intellectual disability” or “cognitive disability.”
- Never use the word “handicapped” as it connotes begging as the only occupation for people with differing abilities. For example, say “accessible parking” NOT “handicapped parking.”
- Don’t portray people with differing abilities who are successful as “heroes” or raise expectations that all people with disabilities should reach this level.
- Don’t sensationalize disabilities by using terms such as “afflicted with,” “victim of” or “suffers from.”
- Don’t use generic labels such as “the disabled” for groups of people with disabilities.
- Emphasize abilities, not limitations. For example, say “walks with crutches,” NOT “crippled,” and “uses a wheelchair,” NOT “wheelchair bound.”
- Don’t refer to people with disabilities as patients. A disability is not a disease.
- Don’t use condescending euphemisms such as “handy-capable” or “physically inconvenienced.”
- Speak of people with disabilities as the active participants in society that they are.
Use the principles of “universal design” to make your buildings more accessible for everyone, regardless of need or age. As you put together your long-term accessibility plan, consider making the following accommodations:
Entrances
- Install long-handled door hardware. It is easier for everyone to use, not only those with impaired hand function.
- Make doorways at least 36 inches wide
- Install a button to open at least one heavy entrance door
Seating
- Place pews 32 inches apart to allow space for people who use walkers, crutches and canes
- Provide padded seating or have chair pads available. Provide chairs with arms for those who have difficulty rising.
- Open the ends of several existing pews so that people using wheelchairs may be seated with their families and friends rather than in specially designated segregated sections
Facilities
- Consider converting two side-by-side bathrooms into one accessible, unisex bathroom so caregivers can assist
Parking and Sidewalks
- Install curb cuts at sidewalks and ramps at entrances to make it possible to get from a parked car to church services without going up or down a step
- Place accessible parking spaces for cars and vans close to accessible entrances
Participation
- Make the sanctuary and choir areas accessible
- Make the ambo or podium accessible with adjustable height and a barrier free space for wheelchair footplates underneath.
- Adjust the microphone for a person’s height or provide a lapel microphone
- Hold Sunday school classes, fellowship activities, and meetings in accessible areas
Planning
- Consult with persons who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or canes in every phase of planning new construction, building modifications, or additions to buildings
- Work with an Inclusion Committee to raise money for architectural modifications through bake sales, car washes, and memorial contributions
- Conduct a survey to identify other needs and prioritize implementation of these modifications.
People with different abilities absorb information in different ways. Accommodating a wider range of learning styles and capabilities can make your services more accessible to all.
- Present services in many different formats using words, pictures, other languages, dramatizations, and music
- Record sermons or readings on audiotape or make them available in large print
- Amplify sound system and provide assistive listening devices for those with hearing difficulties
- Make sure lighting is bright enough and place fixtures for maximum visibility
- Install a telephone device (TDD/TTY) in the church office for people with hearing difficulties
- Make it easy for people with disabilities and their families to make inclusion suggestions so they are not made to feel like “complainers”
- Engage a Sign Language Interpreter for worship service on a regular basis.
- Use the words “Stand or sit as you are able” and “Kneel or sit as you are able”
- Consistently publicize that people of all abilities are welcome to participate in worship, ministry, fellowship and religious education and that accommodations will be provided.
- Offer transportation to people in need and provide it on a consistent basis, and include it in bulletins and event announcements
Worshippers recognize that they are welcome when the congregation demonstrates positive attitudes in the following ways:
- Emphasize talents, strengths and gifts rather than labeling people by their differences
- “Walk the talk” by investing in accessible parking and large-print materials, improving sound and lighting, and installing wheelchair ramps
- Give adults and children with special needs opportunities to serve others
- Don’t let invisible differences, such as learning differences, mental disorders, cancer or heart disease, prevent people from being active members
- Include children of all abilities in religious education classes and provide appropriate support
- Provide accommodations so that religious and lay leaders can continue to serve if they become affected by health concern, if they desire
- Create a “care committee” to connect with families dealing with special needs and offer assistance, respite, and social support
- Train volunteers to communicate and extend open arms to convey the warmth of God’s love
- Publicize your commitment to inclusion by displaying access symbols in newspaper advertisements, event announcements, and signage
- Include the words “All are welcome. Please call (insert phone number) so that we can provide accommodations for your participation.” in all event announcement
When writing or speaking about people who happen to have disabilities, words should be chosen with care in order to promote dignity and respect. Use “People First Language” to set an inclusive tone:
- Refer to the person first. Say “a man who uses a wheelchair” NOT “a wheelchair bound man.”
- If the disability isn’t critical to the story or conversation, don’t mention it.
- Describe a person, not a condition. For example, say “a person with epilepsy” NOT “an epileptic.”
- Never use the term “mentally retarded.” The acceptable terms are “intellectual disability” or “cognitive disability.”
- Never use the word “handicapped” as it connotes begging as the only occupation for people with differing abilities. For example, say “accessible parking” NOT “handicapped parking.”
- Don’t portray people with differing abilities who are successful as “heroes” or raise expectations that all people with disabilities should reach this level.
- Don’t sensationalize disabilities by using terms such as “afflicted with,” “victim of” or “suffers from.”
- Don’t use generic labels such as “the disabled” for groups of people with disabilities.
- Emphasize abilities, not limitations. For example, say “walks with crutches,” NOT “crippled,” and “uses a wheelchair,” NOT “wheelchair bound.”
- Don’t refer to people with disabilities as patients. A disability is not a disease.
- Don’t use condescending euphemisms such as “handy-capable” or “physically inconvenienced.”
- Speak of people with disabilities as the active participants in society that they are.
Use the principles of “universal design” to make your buildings more accessible for everyone, regardless of need or age. As you put together your long-term accessibility plan, consider making the following accommodations:
Entrances
- Install long-handled door hardware. It is easier for everyone to use, not only those with impaired hand function.
- Make doorways at least 36 inches wide
- Install a button to open at least one heavy entrance door
Seating
- Place pews 32 inches apart to allow space for people who use walkers, crutches and canes
- Provide padded seating or have chair pads available. Provide chairs with arms for those who have difficulty rising.
- Open the ends of several existing pews so that people using wheelchairs may be seated with their families and friends rather than in specially designated segregated sections
Facilities
- Consider converting two side-by-side bathrooms into one accessible, unisex bathroom so caregivers can assist
Parking and Sidewalks
- Install curb cuts at sidewalks and ramps at entrances to make it possible to get from a parked car to church services without going up or down a step
- Place accessible parking spaces for cars and vans close to accessible entrances
Participation
- Make the sanctuary and choir areas accessible
- Make the ambo or podium accessible with adjustable height and a barrier free space for wheelchair footplates underneath.
- Adjust the microphone for a person’s height or provide a lapel microphone
- Hold Sunday school classes, fellowship activities, and meetings in accessible areas
Planning
- Consult with persons who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or canes in every phase of planning new construction, building modifications, or additions to buildings
- Work with an Inclusion Committee to raise money for architectural modifications through bake sales, car washes, and memorial contributions
- Conduct a survey to identify other needs and prioritize implementation of these modifications.
People with different abilities absorb information in different ways. Accommodating a wider range of learning styles and capabilities can make your services more accessible to all.
- Present services in many different formats using words, pictures, other languages, dramatizations, and music
- Record sermons or readings on audiotape or make them available in large print
- Amplify sound system and provide assistive listening devices for those with hearing difficulties
- Make sure lighting is bright enough and place fixtures for maximum visibility
- Install a telephone device (TDD/TTY) in the church office for people with hearing difficulties
- Make it easy for people with disabilities and their families to make inclusion suggestions so they are not made to feel like “complainers”
- Engage a Sign Language Interpreter for worship service on a regular basis.
- Use the words “Stand or sit as you are able” and “Kneel or sit as you are able”
- Consistently publicize that people of all abilities are welcome to participate in worship, ministry, fellowship and religious education and that accommodations will be provided.
- Offer transportation to people in need and provide it on a consistent basis, and include it in bulletins and event announcements
Keeping Inclusion “Alive”
For any faith community to make long lasting changes, leadership and a planning structure will be needed.
Enlist a group of committed people and create an ongoing ministry approved by the governing council of the faith community.
Who Should Be On An Inclusion Committee?
- a person with a disability
- a family member of a person with a disability
- a decision-maker from your worshipping community
- people with skills in grant writing and fundraising
- someone knowledgeable about architecture or contracting
What Can An Inclusion Committee Do?
Remember that making change at one point in time does not necessarily answer the need forever. Devices may break, new ideas and requests may come up and new members may join your faith community.
- Identify barriers to worship with a walk-through and/or survey
- Audit various groups and ministries to see if they are fully accessible
- Apply for an Open Hearts Award or Junior Open Hearts Award
- Develop a short- and long-term plan for promoting inclusion
- Be ready to update your plan to accommodate new needs
- Make sure all meetings are accessible
- Celebrate success!
What is an “Inclusion Representative”?
A volunteer who works with his or her pastor to help members of all abilities participate fully in religious life. It can be a congregant or staff person who is:
- interested in working to include members of all abilities
- living with a disability
- a relative or friend of a person with a disability
- interested in being a voice for inclusion
What Can an Inclusion Rep Do?
- Work with your pastor to start an inclusion committee
- Survey your congregant’s needs and work to meet them
- Do an access survey of your facilities
- Coordinate an annual Inclusion Awareness Day event
- Apply for an Open Hearts Award or Junior Open Hearts Award
- Promote use of our Lesson Plans found at the bottom of the Resource Page
- Model dignity and respect for people of all abilities by using “People First Language”
- Be a voice for inclusion
Be an Informed Inclusion Rep
- View the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Video
Introduction – Explaining the importance of inclusion in worship Inclusion in Worship – Strengthening your community through inclusion Affirmation – Creating a sense of belonging for all Communication – Encouraging sensitivity and respect for all Accessibility – Highlighting structures to promote inclusion - View Vulnerable Journey Video
- Read the Idea Guide and answer the questions posed
- Read Opening Hearts, Minds and Doors: Embodying the Inclusive and Vulnerable Love of God
- Download and Review the Inclusion Representative Resource Booklet
- Complete the Inclusion Representative Long Range Plan to help you prioritize the needs of your faith community.
Connect With Other Inclusion Reps
- You can learn more and share ideas by networking with others leading inclusion efforts in their faith communities. Contact info@InclusionInWorship.org to be connected.
- Mark your congregation’s calendar for your Inclusion Awareness Day. Use the weekend designated by Pathways.org or choose an alternate date for your congregation’s celebration.
- Start an inclusion committee and introduce committee members to the congregation on Inclusion Awareness Day.
- Download the sheet music for “Open Doors” and ask your music director to use it on Inclusion Awareness Day and for services throughout the year.
- Plan a series of bulletin articles about inclusion in worship. See the Inclusion Awareness Day Workbooks for articles.
- Plan a special worship service for Inclusion Awareness Day. Use Inclusion Awareness Day Workbooks for ideas, prayers and homily hints.
- Survey your congregation to find out the needs of your members.
- Invite members of your congregation with special needs to participate in a worship service as a greeter, minister of communion, or reader on Inclusion Awareness Day. Provide any accommodations needed and make sure their participation continues throughout the year.
- Invite members of your congregation with special needs to speak at a worship service about what inclusion in your congregation means to them.
- Commit your congregation to intentionally including all members every day of the year.
- Draw up an action plan to create a caring, accessible and inclusive faith community and begin implementing your plan right away.
Inclusion Awareness Day Resources
- Inclusion Awareness Day Workbooks:
- Inclusion Awareness Day Checklist
- Inclusion Awareness Day Family Guide
- Letters from Religious Leaders
