Despite growing awareness about disability issues not all congregations have become fully inclusive for persons with disabilities. While architectural barriers are easily understood, often the barriers most difficult to identify and address are attitude or awareness. We have the opportunity to improve accessibility and encourage full participation by persons with disabilities in our faith communities by working to reduce the stigma associated with disability through prayer, education, and advocacy.
At the 2011 Delaware-Maryland Synod Assembly a resolution calling for Disability Awareness Sunday on February 12, 2012 was submitted by DAART. It passed unanimously. DAART members (aka the DAART Board) are in the process of contacting all congregations in the synod by telephone to conduct a brief survey about Disability Awareness Sunday and to learn what congregations are currently doing in the area of accessibility and full inclusion. If for any reason we have been unable to contact your congregation, we invite you to complete the survey online. The deadline for responses is Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011.
