A New Disability Theology Curriculum

by Shelly Christensen

Disability Belongs™ is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that empower people with disabilities to have a better future. Our mission is to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.

Disability Belongs™ understands and believes in the importance of inclusion in faith-based organizations, which is why it is one of the four main pillars of our organizational work. Given the significant role that faith and faith-based organizations play in American life, we work for full inclusion of disabled people and disabled identity across all spiritual traditions.

The Disability Theology 101 Curriculum equips congregations and other faith-based organizations with an educational foundation in disability theology and inclusion. In the 4-part training, participants will engage with theology and disability, ableism, and other obstacles to belonging. Congregations will grow in understanding and learn practices that nurture a community of belonging.

Angela Molloy, MDiv, joined the Disability Belongs™ National Leadership Program for the Spring 2024 cohort as a Fellow on the Faith Inclusion and Belonging team. The Disability Theology 101 Curriculum is based on Angela’s lived experiences as a queer and congenitally disabled scholar, activist, and accessibility consultant. We are grateful for Angela’s contributions to Disability Belongs™.

For Jewish audiences and for groups of other faith traditions, please note that some parts of this curriculum is intended for specifically Christian audiences. We encourage you to use the components that work for your community. You may want to include additional texts and teachings from your tradition when using this curriculum.

Shelly Christensen, MA, FAAIDD
Senior Director, Faith Inclusion and Belonging, Disability Belongs™

Jump To A Section

• Introduction

• General Notes

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Body Wisdom and Implicit Bias

• Lesson 2: Embracing Disability Theology by Exploring the Difference Between Healing and Curing

• Lesson 3: Spurring on Disability Justice

• Lesson 4: Nurturing a Community of Belonging Moving Forward

• Handout: Self-Love Sentence Stems

• Glossary

• Resources for Further Study

• About the Author

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  Shelly Christensen, MA FAAIDD, is Disability Belongs’s Senior Director of Faith Inclusion and Belonging and co-founder of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Learn about her publications here.