Who in your congregation watches for...

• Persons experiencing barriers in the congregation?
• The “dropouts” from worship or other programs of the congregation?
• Persons in the community being excluded from the faith community?

Perhaps your congregation needs a Congregational Disabilities Advocate!

The responsibilities of a Congregational Disabilities Advocate can be defined according to the needs of your particular congregation.  Here are some guidelines.

A Congregational Disabilities Advocate...

• Promotes the inclusion of all persons, regardless of abilities or disabilities, into the life of the congregation.
• Seeks to become aware of persons within the faith community and their disabilities.  
• Receives information and potential resources from the Congregational Accessibility Network (CAN), their denominational disabilities advocacy office and other sources to pass along to appropriate persons within the congregation.  
• Communicates with networks (regional, denominational, CAN, etc.) about the congregation's journey with disabilities in ways that will encourage other congregations on their journeys. Examples:
  • Stories of how the congregation is including persons with disabilities.
  • Issues that the congregation is facing.  
  • Resources and consultation needed to include persons with specific disabilities.
  • Resources the congregation would have to share with others in their networks.