Disability, Trauma, and the Church

Disability, Trauma, and the Church: Toward a Disability-Just, Trauma-Informed Ecclesiology, Ministry, and Institutional Practice
A White Paper from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities

This white paper grew out of the conversations, experiences, and concerns raised at the 2026 Disability Summit. It explores the intersection of disability, trauma, ableism, and the life of the Church and calls The United Methodist Church toward practices that are both disability-just and trauma-informed.

The paper is intended not only for disabled clergy and laity, but also for bishops, cabinets, annual conferences, Boards of Ordained Ministry, District Committees on Ordained Ministry, clergy mentors, seminaries, congregations, and other ministry leaders whose decisions and practices shape participation, belonging, leadership, and vocation in the Church.