A big group gathered on September 15th for a forum on inclusive community. Here are some of the highlights:

Disability Models

First, we discussed how narrow ways of thinking about disability color the way people with disabilities are treated and biblical healing stories are read. If people only view disability through a “medical model”, disabled bodies are viewed as a problem and medical cure the only solution. A social model of disability helps us remember that disability is a natural part of life and is the result of social conditions, not just medical ones. Having more than one way to think about disability ensures that we read healing stories and understand healing as more than the erasure of disabled bodies.

Rejecting Expired Language

Next, we discussed how being anti-ableist as a congregation and as individuals requires us to reject expired language and replace it with “person-first language” and other language that our friends with disabilities tell us they experience as affirming.

Disability Etiquette

Ensuring that the bodies and boundaries of people with disabilities are respected goes hand in hand with using affirming language. Read on for disability etiquette.