8 Ways Ableism Shows Up In Religious Spaces

Drawing from experiences common to Religious Community life, this piece names ableism and shows how routine choices—from liturgy to layout—can marginalize People with Disabilities. It opens by urging faith communities to confront the problem directly and name it for what it is, linking recognition to concrete change toward dignity and belonging for People with Disabilities who attend. Ableism appears in prayers, programs, and expectations—not just in overt acts.

Several examples spotlight barriers: segregated seating, ramps hidden at the margins, and inaccessible bathrooms. The article reframes hospitality as intentional design—placing people together, not apart—and invites leaders to normalize access requests and plan ahead so access is predictable, not exceptional. Practical checklists for accessible event planning reinforce how small, consistent choices remove barriers and support shared routes, seating, and movement.

The author also names cultural problems that harm participation: ableist metaphors in presentations and songs, infantilizing care, and “faith equals healing” expectations. It emphasizes communication access so Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision people can fully participate—captioning, clear language, Braille/large print, and audio description transform programs from passive watching into shared worship and learning.

Finally, the piece rejects tokenism and charity mindsets in favor of empowerment, asking communities to center leadership, consent, and intersectional belonging. It encourages a shift toward the social model—naming barriers as the problem—and calls leaders to invest in training, budgets, and policies that normalize access as part of community planning. A move to the social model of disability aligns daily practice with the article’s invitation to make accessibility and inclusion routine.

Read the Full Article: 8 Ways Ableism Shows Up in Religious Spaces
by: Unbound Team