The ADA was designed to eliminate the discrimination that people with disabilities experience, but it has not yet achieved that goal. Janine stated, "You have to recognize that rights-based legislation only gets us part of the way there - it doesn't change how people think or get at the fundamental isms that divide us." Evy's experience is that the ADA "hasn't affected people's perceptions of people with disabilities. Even after 30 years I still get the body scan and people who can't believe I'm a pastor and a nurse. People say, 'I haven't even noticed that you are disabled!' which means they aren't looking at or accepting me with my limitations."

The UMC Annual Accessibility Audit for Churches has a section about attitudes that only scratches the surface. Until now our website lacked specific resources to help churches move to the next level in disability awareness. We have created an Ableism Toolkit with a

Rose City Park (OR-ID) bulletin board

two-part core article  Understanding Ableism, which provides a background and theological reflection, and a number of new documents, some of which are linked in the Resources section below. See the Ableism and Disability Glossary for definitions of ableism and other terms that may be new to you. We defined ableism as "a system of attitudes, beliefs, and actions that communicates that persons with disabilities have less value than non-disabled persons. Ableism assumes that 'normal' is a valid social construct." 

 
The Able Privilege document helps us understand how the world is designed for non-disabled people, and how many daily activities and experiences an able-bodied person takes for granted. For instance, many of us without disabilities assume that if we are invited to visit a friend, we will be able to safely enter the home and use the restroom if we need it. We assume we can sit with friends or family anywhere we choose at an event, and that we can evacuate quickly in case of an emergency. Most of us drive and can park in any available parking space, so we can easily change our schedules without advance planning. 

 
Ableist Microaggressions are "casual insults and offensive actions experienced daily by people in an oppressed category including people with disabilities." These include having random strangers ask what is wrong with you, pray for you or try to assist you without permission to do so, and offer unsolicited medical advice. They also include treating adults like children, labeling involvement in typical activities as inspirational, and dismissing what the person with a disability says about their experiences. 

 
While able privilege and microaggressions are different than racial privilege and

	First UMC Eugene (OR-ID)

microaggressions, perhaps learning about ableism will help increase awareness of racism. Please take time to look through the whole Toolkit and find ways to use it for Disability Awareness Sunday, in a church school class, or for a United Methodist Women circle meeting. The best way to learn is to invite a person with a disability to share, and then listen to what is shared without getting defensive. Other ideas are found in the tip sheets Dos and Don't for the Disability Ally and Approaches to Dismantling Ableism. See the Ableism Resources in the Resources section below for links to these and more.

                                                      

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was the first comprehensive legislation that guaranteed the civil rights of persons with disabilities not only in federally-funded programs, but in public entities. Earlier laws had required a public school education for all children (1975) and accessible construction of federal buildings (1968). A coalition of disability organizations created the document Towards Independence (1986) that was adapted and eventually introduced to Congress in 1988. 1 During the long period between introduction and passage

The United Methodist Building,    Washington, D.C.

in 1990, coalition members including General Board of Church and Society staff met weekly in the United Methodist Building to work out modifications and details.   2  One compromise was that religious entities were excluded from all except the employer requirements, and then only if they have more than 15 employees. 3

Prior to 1990, the UMC had already enacted legislation stating that people with disabilities were to be considered for the ordained ministry and were to be involved in all levels of church leadership. The Social Principles included a paragraph on the rights of persons with disabilities. New church construction and remodeling projects needed to have accessible parking, means of entrance, and seating. 

Subsequent General Conferences passed additional legislation, often submitted by the

	The DMC that passed legislation in 2012

DisAbility Ministry Committee or earlier versions of the DMC. Called to Inclusiveness (¶140) states "A further mark of inclusiveness is the setting of church activities in facilities accessible to persons with disabilities" 5 and calls for seminaries to continue working towards full accessibility. The non-discrimination policies section (¶716) addresses employment of people with disabilities and the need for all church events to be accessible. Local churches are required to complete an annual accessibility audit (¶2533.6) and make plans for elimination of the barriers they find. Construction and remodeling now require an accessibility plan that includes the chancel. New parsonages should be at least partially accessible (¶2544).

Our Book of Resolutions, while aspirational, issues a strong call in #3002 for our churches and agencies to follow the model of Jesus in ministering with people with disabilities by implementing the provisions of the ADA and its global counterpart the United Nations' Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. 6  Resolution #3302 offers additional guidance for accessibility, awareness, and advocacy. Spurred on by the ADA we have made progress as a denomination, but we still have much work to do.