Day 27. Supporting Belonging for All in Faith Communities.

We aspire to be a spiritual home where everyone feels a profound sense of belonging. For many members with disabilities, this vision can be a reality—but it also requires intentionality and effort from congregations to remove barriers and affirm diverse experiences. Today, we uplift the ways we can support belonging and inclusion for all people.

Supporting Belonging for All

• Ask, Don’t Assume: Create opportunities for members with disabilities to voice their needs and preferences
• Celebrate Contributions: Recognize the unique gifts that disabled members bring to worship, leadership, and community life
• Build Accessibility into Culture: Make inclusion a standard part of how your congregation operates, from planning events to designing programs

Resources to Learn More

• Podcasts and Stories:
  • The Accessible Faith Project – Discussions on inclusive practices in spiritual communities
  • Disability Visibility Podcast hosted by Alice Wong – Centering disabled voices and their lived experiences

An Invitation to Reflect

We invite you to reflect on the ways you can build a sense of belonging for all in your communities. Ask yourself these questions:

• How does your congregation affirm and amplify the voices of disabled members?
• Are there opportunities to reimagine community practices to ensure everyone can participate fully?
• What steps can your faith community take to better embody inclusion and belonging for all?

As we listen to these stories, may they inspire us to continue the work of building communities that are not just accessible but truly inclusive. Together, we can create spaces where everyone, those with and without disabilities, feel that they belong.

Learn more: ADAPT is a National network fighting for disability rights and services.

Wholeness is not a fixed state; it is an evolving practice of acceptance, compassion, and justice. Together, let us explore what it means to bring wholeness into our own lives, our congregations, and the broader world.

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#UU #UUA #CelebrateDiversity #ADAPT #DisabilityRights