ADNet encourages the appointment of a Congregational Disabilities Advocate in each church congregation. 

Related resources for congregations:

• "Advocates," the August 2010 issue of ADNotes
• "Blessed for Disabilities Advocacy" -- A personal story of empowerment by Christine Guth, ADNet Program Director
• "Disabilities Advocacy in All Aspects of Church Life," by Christine Guth, ADNet Program Associate
• "Responsibilities of the Congregational Disabilities Advocate" (includes advocate sign-up form)
• Inclusion Handbook: Everybody Belongs Everybody Serves, from the Christian Reformed Church
• ADNet manages an online discussion group for congregational advocates. To join it, sign up here.

The Advocate role is most effective when a particular person is commissioned within the unique structure of each congregation. Some examples:

• Designation of a member of the pastoral staff or an elder.
• Appointment of a Disabilities Advocate who advises and is responsible to the pastor or elder group. 
• Designation of a member of an existing group such as the Pastoral Care Committee, the Mission Commission, or the Congregational Caring Committee.
• Commissioning of a particular small group or task force to lead the congregation in disabilities advocacy.
• Link it to an existing role such as the MMA Congregational Advocate. 

Congregations are encouraged to update their Congregational Advocate listing yearly.  Please fill out this short survey. 

Responsibilities
Congregational Disabilities Advocate

• Promote the inclusion of all persons, regardless of abilities or disabilities, into the life of the church.
• Become aware of persons within the church and their disabilities.  
• Receive information and potential resources from Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) and pass it on to appropriate persons within the congregation.  
• Communicate with ADNet about the congregation's journey with disabilities. This includes:
  • Stories of how the congregation is including persons with disabilities.
  • Issues that the congregation is facing. 
  • Resources and consultation needed to include persons with specific disabilities.  
  • Resources the congregation would have to share with others in the network.

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