Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges faced by disabled adults. And while there are all sorts of things we as a society can (and should) do to address this challenge, I’ve also been thinking lately about how the church could lead the way in this regard.
It’s great (and not even always the reality) for disabled people to be members of churches or have volunteer roles that are significant. But what if local churches actually looked for ways to employ people with disabilities—whether that’s working in the office or working on ministry staff or in a janitorial position?
I know lots of churches who have come a long way in welcoming families affected by disability. I’m grateful for that. But I don’t know any who have done anything to address the problem of unemployment within the disability community. In fact, I know of more coffee shops and ice cream parlors than churches that are looking for ways to employ people with disabilities.
Wouldn’t employing people with disabilities be a beautiful way to tell the rest of the world what it looks like to be the body of Christ?
More in my interview with Andrew Draper: Reimagining Church Leadership and Disability
MORE WITH AMY JULIA:
- Workshop: Reimagining Family Life with Disability
- Assume That I Can, Maybe I Will
- Penny in Her Own Words: Working at The Po Cafe
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