Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families

How Churches of Every Size Can Create Inclusive Ministry Spaces for People with Disabilities

An estimated one in 5 households has a child with a disability. Many of these families miss out on church due to a lack of physical or social accommodations. And while ministry leaders want to help, they often don’t know how to with limited space, budget, and trained volunteers. Churches must understand the challenges that disability families face so they can remove barriers to biblical fellowship.

Sandra Peoples, a disability ministry consultant and professor, has equipped hundreds of churches, large and small, to reach children and teens who have various cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and behavioral and mental health diagnoses. Caring for disabled family members of her own, she understands what it takes to create a welcoming, inclusive space that supports children with a variety of diagnoses into adulthood. Through expert advice and practical examples, she shows ministry leaders how they can make their spaces—and the gospel—accessible to all.

• Practical: Features creative ways that churches can adapt their teaching style, classrooms, safety policies, and more to accommodate special needs families
• Written by an Experienced Consultant and Professor: Peoples draws from her years of expertise as well as her personal experience as a caregiver
• A Great Resource for Churches and Families: Ideal for pastors and volunteers in children’s ministry, family ministry, disability ministry, and more, as well as parents of children with disabilities
• Addresses a Variety of Needs: Including Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma-related issues
• Includes a Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada

“Sandra Peoples has provided a biblically grounded and clinically aware guide to disability ministry. As the dad of a young adult with autism, I was moved by the compassion and intentionality expressed in Accessible Church. As a church leader, I’m grateful for a resource that’s practical and scalable for congregations of different sizes and budgets. This will be my go-to recommendation for churches looking to start or mature a ministry to special-needs children, students, adults, and their families.”
—Jared Kennedy, Managing Editor for Books and Curriculum, The Gospel Coalition; author, The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission

Format: Paperback