WISE and access for all
Called to wholeness in Christ: Becoming a church accessible to all
Resolution: Becoming Accessible to All (A2A)
Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ
Biblical Foundation
Genesis 1:27 — Created in the Image of God
“So God created humankind in God’s own image, in the image of God they were created; male and female they were created.”
Matthew 25:35-40 — The Ministry of Presence
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The Preamble
WHEREAS, God created humanity in the Divine image, including persons with disabilities and all the rest of humanity; and
WHEREAS, according to 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, the church is the body of Christ made up of many parts, including those who have disabilities; and
WHEREAS, medical and scientific advances continue to reduce the death rate from infections and injuries, resulting in more people surviving with disabilities—noting that close to 20% of the US population identifies as having some level of disability; and
WHEREAS, all members of United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations will be touched by disability at some point, as those without disabilities are only "temporarily able-bodied"; and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of people with disabilities want to exercise choice in where and how they live, work, play, worship, and serve; and
WHEREAS, the 25th UCC Synod called for conferences to become accessible to all, yet currently only a small fraction of the 5,000 UCC churches are fully accessible; and
WHEREAS, we strive to show radical hospitality; and being "Accessible to All" (A2A) is the physical and social proof that all are truly welcome; and
WHEREAS, people with disabilities often do not require a "cure," but rather request healing, defined as full integration into the world without social or physical barriers.
The Commitment
BE IT RESOLVED, that Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ will:
Embody a philosophy of inclusion and interdependence.
Embark on study and reflection regarding disability rights and A2A practices.
Remove physical and social barriers to welcoming all people.
Support and implement the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Action Plan
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ will engage in the following activities:
Campaigns: Join the Accessible Congregations Campaign of the National Organization on Disability.
Facilities: Continue making improvements to the church building to achieve full physical accessibility.
Mentorship: Seek out mentors in the disability community, honoring the slogan: “Nothing about us without us.”
Leadership: Invite and include people with disabilities to lead worship and programming, utilizing specialized technology or professional support where needed.
Covenant: Create a formal covenant concerning individuals with disabilities.
Budgeting: Develop an annual budget that honors persons with disabilities (e.g., contributions to the A2A fund).
Justice: Participate in grassroots-level Witnessing and Justice opportunities twice a year to end discrimination.
Dialogue: Raise awareness and persist in open dialogue regarding the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
Strategy: Develop a strategic plan with one, three, and five-year goals for disability inclusion.