Spires, Wheelchairs and Committees: Organizing for Disability Advocacy at the Judicatory Level

Disability advocacy among judicatories of American mainline Protestant denominations takes various forms including social action, program development, the removal of architectural barriers, and the promotion of inclusion on behalf of people with all types of disabilities. To learn about the effect o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Herzog, Albert A. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage Publications 2004
In: Review of religious research
Year: 2004, Volume: 45, Issue: 4, Pages: 349-367
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:Disability advocacy among judicatories of American mainline Protestant denominations takes various forms including social action, program development, the removal of architectural barriers, and the promotion of inclusion on behalf of people with all types of disabilities. To learn about the effect of this advocacy, data were collected through open-ended interviews with local and regional groups doing disability work across the United States, as well as through field visits. In addition, a survey was sent to 520 mainline Protestant judicatories in order to test the dispersion of the various forms of disability advocacy. Results are described in terms of their relationships to denominational and/or ecumenical structures which in specific ways limit the scope of disability advocacy. Ecumenical groups are found to develop more creative and flexible efforts than those within denominations. A description and evaluation of the activities of various judicatory groups doing disability advocacy are provided, including efforts to remove architectural and attitudinal barriers and to provide education and awareness training, resources and direct ministries with persons with various disabilities. The conclusion raises critical questions about the effectiveness of disability advocacy in light of denominational reorganization and the larger context of the disability rights movement.
ISSN:2211-4866
Contains:Enthalten in: Review of religious research
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/3511991