The Rev. Brett Webb-Mitchell of Chapel Hill, N.C., is a nationally recognized author and advocate for people with disabilities. His new book, “Beyond Accessibility: Toward Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Faith Communities,” is an attempt to delineate what a congregation might look like if it valued the talents of every member, regardless of ability.
An interview:
Q: Why did you want to write another book on people with disabilities?
A: This was an unfinished project. It began when I was asked to be a writer and consultant for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in helping write their policy on people with disabilities. When you write for a large committee, you don’t always get to say what you want to say. I wanted to suggest in this book what it would look like to be a fully inclusive faith community in which labels such as “abled” and “disabled” are secondary to being members with one another in a faith community.
Q: What congregations do a good job in including people with disabilities and what congregations need help?
A: There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to being fully inclusive. Some places will use a sign-language interpreter. Some places will actively include a person with developmental disabilities in a leadership position. The tricky part is helping faith communities be open to all who want to enter their community.
http://www.onbeingagayparent.com/who.htm
Heh — nice find, William Sulik.
What does the “gay parent” thing have to do with helping congregations include the disabled? As a disabled person, I’m really hoping that by dismissing the author, you’re not trying to dismiss the topic, as well. If anything, I’m glad that a proponent of gay issues understands that “inclusion” isn’t just about them.
Since I became disabled, I’ve come to realize how difficult it is to participate in many aspects of church life and how uncomfortable a youngish disabled person seems to make others. The author’s comment about disabled people making others think about limitations and mortality is spot on.
Teatime – to the contrary. I read the interview and was thinking of ordering the book. This is a very important subject and something which the Church catholic needs to be aware of and striving for. The author may have good comments and suggestions. At the same time, one needs to be wary of any theology espoused in such a book. I would treat this author as I would any secular author.
Hi Teatime,
Sorry for the late response — I’ve been traveling.
I do not dismiss the topic at all. I do dismiss the author’s take on the topic since he and I obviously don’t share the same foundational worldview for his ideas to be of interest to me. I’d as soon listen to Stalin’s ideas on farming and communities.
Blessings to you this Memorial Day!