ADNet invites every congregation to appoint a Congregational Disabilities Advocate or Team. 

The role of advocate can start very simply and become more involved, depending on a person's interests and time available. As a start, the advocate receives ADNet's materials and shares them with members in the congregation who might have a particular interest in the issues discussed.

Congregations will benefit even more if they make the effort to bless or commission the advocate (or advocacy team) and empower them to make recommendations to facilitate greater participation of people with disabilities. 

Learn more:

• "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

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

• A member of the pastoral staff or an elder.
• A Disabilities Advocate who advises and is responsible to the pastor or elder group. 
• An existing group such as the Pastoral Care Committee, the Mission Commission, or the Congregational Caring Committee.
• A small group or task force set up to lead the congregation in disabilities advocacy.
• An existing role such as the Everence Congregational Advocate. 

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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