Ableism in the Church: Disabled People and Marginalization

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice which favours non-disabled people. Like racism and sexism, it classifies entire groups of people as 'less than.' In this conversation disabled ministers, academics and practitioners explore ableism and the church. Drawing on the disability rights movement's ‘nothing about us without us,’ parishes are called to heed the voices and experience of disabled people to understand and address ableism in theology, culture, and practice.

This is a new and much needed conversation for the CEEP network. It seeks to enable a listening process so that the presence, gifts and ministry of disabled people can be fully enjoyed by the church.

Register here.

Panelists include:

• Sharon Betcher - Independent Scholar; Whidbey Island, Washington
• Lamar Hardwick - Lead Pastor, Tri-Cities Church; East Point, Georgia
• Twila Smith - Partnership Canon for Mission Program, The Dioceses of WNY and NWPA
• Miriam Spies - General Editor, The Canadian Journal of Theology, Mental Health and Disability, University of Toronto; Ontario, Canada
• Tim Goode - Rector, St. Margaret’s Church - Lee, Disability Advisor to the Southwark Diocese; London, United Kingdom
• Fiona MacMillan - Chair, St. Martin-in-the-Fields' Disability Advisory Group, Inclusive Church Trustee; London, United Kingdom
• Jonathan Evens - Associate Vicar, HeartEdge, St. Martin-in-the-Fields; London, United Kingdom (moderator)