Disability Awareness

Disability Awareness Sunday 2025: Sunday 28 September 2025

Theme: “One Body, Many Parts” (1 Corinthians 12:12–27)
Purpose: To promote inclusion, accessibility, and celebration of diversity within the Body of Christ.

 

Celebrating God’s Image in Every Body

Welcome to Disability Awareness Sunday 2025. This day invites us to see with new eyes: to understand that every person, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, reflects the image of our Creator. Inclusion isn’t just about ramps or pew placement—it’s about presence, purpose, and participation.

In the Body of Christ, no part is optional. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12, ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t need you.’ In our churches, children often show us the way—demonstrating empathy, adaptation, and a natural understanding of belonging. This is where childlike faith and innocence comes into play.

This Sunday, may we learn from their example, challenge our assumptions, and become churches where access is assumed, participation is expected, and all are celebrated.

 

Resource Outline

Welcome & Introduction

Disability Awareness Sunday is an opportunity for churches to pause and reflect on how we welcome, include, and celebrate those with disabilities within our congregations and communities. Its purpose is to promote a church culture rooted in belonging, dignity, and full participation for all—where every person, regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional ability, is seen as an essential part of the Body of Christ. The Eastern Baptist Association warmly supports this initiative and encourages churches to engage with the resources provided. This may include a written message or pre-recorded video to be shared as part of your service.

In this document you will find, a worship service guide, Sunday School and Youth Activity idea, and what you can do as an audit of your Church.

 

Worship Service Guide

Call to Worship

• Inclusive and welcoming, focusing on unity in diversity.
• Suggested scripture: Psalm 139:13–16 or Isaiah 43:1–4.

Opening Prayer

• A prayer of inclusion, gratitude for all abilities, and a request for open hearts and minds.

Suggested Worship Songs (with accessibility options noted)

• “Here I Am to Worship” (simple melody, easy to sign)
• “Blessed Be Your Name”
• “The Heart of Worship”
• Optional: Use of visual aids, projected lyrics, or sign language interpretation.

Scripture Readings

• Primary: 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 (“The Body of Christ”)
• Alternative/Additional: Luke 14:12–24 (The Parable of the Banquet)
• Readings can be presented by people of varied abilities (including pre-recorded videos or alternative communication methods). Invite members with a disability to even share their own interpretation of the passage.

Sermon/Reflection Ideas

• “Every Part Matters”: Exploring the value of every person in God’s Kingdom.
• Testimonies or interviews with church members who live with disabilities. If you find you may struggle with this please make contact with the EBA Justice Hub through the EBA team.
• Reflection on the challenges faced by people with disabilities in church and community life, and the biblical call to justice and hospitality.

Creative Elements

• Drama or Skit: A short scene showing how churches can be more or less welcoming. May be worth speaking with your Teens and Young People as they will most likely engage with a disabled person every day in school.
• Poetry or Spoken Word: Written by someone with lived experience of disability.

 

Intercessory Prayers

Please put this prayer onto a PowerPoint then you and your whole Church can interactively pray it.

Prayer of Inclusion and Intercession

Gracious and loving God,
We thank You for the richness of Your creation,
For the beauty in every person,
And for the gifts and abilities You’ve poured into each life.

We pray for Your Church—
That our buildings, our worship, and our hearts
Would be places of welcome and access
For all people, in body, mind, and spirit.

We lift up those who care tirelessly—
Parents, families, carers, and advocates.
Grant them strength, patience, and joy in their calling.

And now, we hold a moment of silence
For those who feel excluded, unseen, or alone…
[pause for silent reflection]

Lord, make us a people of compassion,
A church of open arms,
And a fellowship that truly reflects Your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

 

 

Children’s Ministry & Youth Ideas

This is the Sunday School and Teen plan, for Disability Awareness Sunday, if you have an interactive part at the beginning, may we encourage you to invite a short Q+A if you have a willing volunteer beforehand to share their thoughts and how they’ve been welcomed and or feel seen within your Church.

However if you think you want to go a bit further than just one Sunday, there is an option for a three week mini-series to explore in more detail and depth.

 

Luke 5:17–26 — The Man Lowered Through the Roof

This story powerfully illustrates friendship, determination, and the creative effort needed to make space for everyone to meet Jesus. It reminds us that real inclusion means breaking down barriers—just like the friends who lowered the man through the roof to get him to Jesus.

 

Engaging Children Inside Church

• Story Time: Read or act out the story of the friends lowering their friend through the roof (Luke 5:17–26) during children’s ministry or Sunday school.
• Object Lesson: Bring a variety of shoes to show that everyone walks their own path, and sometimes we all need a little help along the way.
• Creative Activity: Have children create “Welcome Posters” that show everyone playing, worshiping, or learning together—celebrating inclusion in the church community.
• Sample Questions:
  • Have you ever helped someone at church?
  • What do you do if someone is left out of a game or activity?
  • How can we change games or activities so everyone can join in?

 

Questions for Parents and Disabled Members in the Congregation

To Disabled Members or Teens:

• What helps you feel seen and valued in our church?
• What makes the church easy or hard for you to navigate?
• How can we better support your gifts and participation?

To Parents of Disabled Children:

• What has helped your child feel welcome here?
• What could we do differently to support your family better?
• Would you be willing to share your journey with the church community to help others learn?

 

Three Key Points for Preachers and Church Leaders

1. Every Part Matters — Use 1 Corinthians 12 to teach that every gift and every body is vital to the church family.
2. Barrier-Breaking Faith — Reflect on Luke 5 to show how sometimes community means lifting each other and breaking through “roofs” to make room for all.
3. Inclusion is Discipleship — True welcome is more than kindness; it’s part of spiritual growth and formation.

 

Optional Mini-Series: Belonging in the Body

• Week 1: Created for Connection — Psalm 139; Genesis 1:27
  Inclusion begins by seeing God’s image in every person.
• Week 2: Breaking Barriers — Luke 5:17–26
  Show the creativity and persistence needed to remove obstacles.
• Week 3: Many Parts, One Body — 1 Corinthians 12
  Encourage members to lead accessibility efforts and shared ministry.

 

Creative Elements and Drama for Church Settings

• Skit: A child who uses a wheelchair is accidentally excluded, then welcomed warmly by a listening friend.
• Poem or Spoken Word: Presented by someone with lived experience of disability or inclusion in the church.
• “Body of Christ” Art Installation: Invite everyone in the congregation to contribute an image or object representing their unique gifts and role in the church family.

 

Multimedia Suggestion

• Short video testimonies from Christians living with disabilities.

Resource Follow Up Pack (Appendices)

• List of organisations and further reading:
  • Through the Roof
  • Torch Trust
  • Livability

 

Inclusive Action Ideas

Absolutely! Here’s the full, integrated section including the accessibility audit, first aid training frequency, Ben’s support, and the explanation about admin staff versus healthcare professionals:

 

An important first step toward greater inclusion is to conduct an accessibility audit of your church’s buildings, services, and overall environment. This should assess physical access—such as ramps, step-free entrances, accessible toilets, clear signage, hearing loops, and seating flexibility. But accessibility also includes communication needs (large-print or braille materials, captioned videos, easy-read formats), sensory sensitivity (quiet spaces or sensory-friendly worship options), and access to inclusive children’s activities—ensuring toys, lessons, and spaces accommodate children who may have mobility, sensory, or learning differences.

As part of this audit, churches should also review first aid provision with specific attention to common conditions such as epilepsy, autism, diabetes, or allergies. While most first aid courses include guidance on responding to seizures and other urgent needs, it’s important that first aid training—both paediatric and adult—is regularly reviewed and updated, ideally every three years to keep skills fresh and current. Churches are encouraged to ensure their first aiders feel confident and comfortable in their training.

It’s also important to recognise that while medical admin staff can and should receive good-quality first aid training, their skills will generally not be at the same level as those of doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals. Admin staff are equipped to manage common first aid situations confidently—such as performing CPR, treating minor injuries, and providing initial care and recognising an emergency—but do not have the clinical expertise to handle complex medical emergencies. For this reason, it’s helpful to quietly note any healthcare professionals within the congregation (with their consent), so that trained first aiders know who to approach for additional support if needed. Together, this ensures a layered and robust first aid response, with everyone playing a valuable role.

Remind your team: it’s okay to ask for help—you don’t have to manage complex situations alone. Recognise that the complexity of situations can vary, and it’s natural to feel unsure about where to start or how best to proceed. The Justice hub is happy to chat through any questions or uncertainties you might have, helping you navigate these steps with confidence and support.

Beyond audits, churches can take further steps: invite feedback from disabled members, form a disability inclusion or buddy team, partner with local support organisations, and ensure there’s representation in leadership and ministry roles. Accessibility is not just about facilities—it’s about forming a culture where every person is seen, respected, and able to flourish.