A human rights organization that advocates on behalf of indigenous people groups around the world criticized organizers of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games for depicting Brazilian tribal people as savages. Survival International took exception to a press release announcing participants…
Embracing the journey
Almost by accident, Kerry Smith has become a popular artist — a sculptor, painter and woodcarver. But he hasn’t done it alone. His constant companion — and a most unwelcome one — is chronic pain. The former minister is now a ‘prisoner to pain,’ but art ‘transports’ him to a place of purpose.
The Pope needs to do more than kiss the disabled
There’s a long history of disability serving only as an opportunity for non-disabled people to demonstrate their piety through service, a “charity model” that ultimately still promotes otherness and exclusion.
Faith groups work to mobilize ‘disability vote’
American Baptist Home Mission Societies has joined more than 100 organizations and individuals encouraging political candidates to address disability concerns. The Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition, a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities, is collecting signatures to an open…
Disability advocates applaud Obama’s proposal for gun control, with a caveat
By Bob Allen Disability-rights advocates criticized President Obama’s plan to reduce gun violence by adding the names of 75,000 Americans who receive Social Security benefits with aid of a third party to the National Instant Criminal Background System. The American…
ABHMS sponsors service to celebrate ADA
By Bob Allen American Baptist Home Mission Societies was among sponsors of an interfaith worship service in Washington celebrating 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, managing director of resource development for the American Baptist Churches USA…
Churches invited to celebrate ADA anniversary
By Bob Allen The approaching 25th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act is an opportunity for churches to celebrate progress and recognize work that remains to make society more open and accessible to people…
Faith groups celebrate 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
By Bob Allen An American Baptist leader says this summer’s 25th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act provides an opportunity for churches to both celebrate and explore ways to be more accessible, hospitable…
Faith groups support tax break for Americans with disabilities
By Bob Allen Twenty-eight faith groups including American Baptist Churches USA and its American Baptist Home Mission Societies endorsed legislation in Congress allowing Americans with disabilities to open tax-sheltered savings account for certain long-term expenditures. Members of the Interfaith Disability…
Faith leaders support economic opportunity for Americans with disabilities
By Bob Allen While restrooms, buildings and parking lots are more accessible for people with disabilities than a generation ago, their employment opportunities are just as limited as they were when President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities…
White House, faith leaders, discuss disability
By Bob Allen American Baptist Home Mission Societies was among 16 faith groups represented at a White House meeting March 10 on issues including support within the religious community for a U.N. disability treaty opposed by conservative Republicans in the…
Re-imagining disability
By Molly T. Marshall What do race, gender, the poor, sexual minorities and persons with disability have in common? They are all the focus of theological thinking over the past few decades. All of them are in some way “other”…