The theme for the national Disability History Month for 2024 is ‘Disability Livelihood and Employment’

Disability has been seen for many years as synonymous with non-employment or unemployment.  This of course is not true. Disabled people have always sought a means of surviving whether in begging, employment or on welfare or charity. Recently the number of disabled people in the UK workforce has increased

There were 5.1 million disabled people in employment in the UK in Q2 2023. This is an increase of 320,000 on the year and an overall increase of 2.2 million since the same quarter in 2013

In the last 30 years both legislation and trade unions have been more supportive of disabled workers.  Protection from discrimination in hiring, promotion, training and dismissal and a duty of reasonable adjustment have improved the work situation of disabled people.  However, stereotypes, barriers and prejudices still impact differentially on disabled people with different impairments. Those with Autism, Mental Health issues, Intellectual impairments and visual impairments still have much higher rates of non-employment.

Visit ukdm.org for more information.

 

Disability Sunday Service

Disability History Month is a good opportunity to give some time to thinking about how disabled and neurodivergent people are able to belong and participate as part of your church community.  You could designate one Sunday as ‘Disability Sunday’ and focus on the importance of the church offering welcome and involvement to disabled and neurodivergent people.  You could use it as an opportunity to encourage disabled and neurodivergent people to lead and contribute to your worship, although don’t leave it as just one Sunday, continue to involve people regularly after this.

During the month the Diocese calls churches to a time of reflection and action.  How can we make our churches and communities more welcoming and inclusive, physically, spiritually and socially?

Resources

Notes for Preachers

Liturgical Resources

Blog posts

Disarming the dualism – John Beauchamp
The ministry of disabled people, a gift to the church – Fr. Chris Philips
Disability, intersectionality & poverty – Fiona MacMillan
The Costly Gift of Vulnerability – Revd Anne Bookless

Disability and ministry videos

Becky Townley

In this six-minute film, Becky Townley, Curate of St Paul's, Mill Hill shares her experience of training, ordination and ministry as a blind priest. 

Helen Shannon

Helen is the Diocese of London Estates Enabler. In 2010, she and her team planted an estates church where she lives in North London called church@five, which she still leads today.

Bruce Rickards

Bruce was a diocesan Finance Advisor, before becoming Chaplain of Heathrow Airport.

Rachel Greaves-Brown

Rachel is the Diocese of London Post Ordination Training Advisor,