Special Needs & Disability Ministry Resources
God designed the Church to function like a Body wherein every member is important and needed. That includes people with special needs or challenges. These resources can help you understand and better serve people and their families affected by disabilities.
Click on a tab below to view a list of resources for a general understanding of disabilities and a special needs ministries or take a look at some specific challenges.
Links to other sites will open in a new page to keep the list available to look at additional ministry resources. While seeking to choose sites and resources that are doctrinally sound, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, we link to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track your activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales.
Info
General Information on Special Needs
Books:
- Disability and the Gospel: How God Uses Our Brokenness to Display His Grace by Michael S. Beates
- Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability by Stephanie O. Hubach
Organizations with Disabilities Ministries
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Friendship Ministries
- Handi*Vangelism Ministries International
- Inspiration Ministries
- Joni and Friends
- Lift Disability Network
- Nathaniel's Hope
Info about Specific Challenges
Attention Deficit - ADD, ADHD
- Article: 10 Simple Techniques for Ministering to Kids with ADHD
- Book: Adult AD/HD: A Reader Friendly Guide to Identifying, Understanding, and Treating Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Michele Novotni
- Book: Attention Deficit Disorder: Helpful, Practical Information: A Guide for Parents & Educators by Elaine K. McEwan (from the perspective of a Christian educator)
- Book: Managing Attention & Learning Disorders: Super Survival Strategies by Elaine K. McEwan (written by a Christian with ADD about adults)
- Book: Of Different Minds: Seeing Your ADHD Child Through the Eyes of God by Maren Angelotti
- Book: The Hyperactive Child by Dr. Grant L. Martin (from the perspective of a Christian psychologist)
- Book: Why A.D.H.D. Doesn't Mean Disaster by Walter L. Larimore, Diane Passno, Dennis Swanberg
- Book: You & Your A.D.D. Child : How to Understand and Help Kids With Attention Deficit Disorder by Paul Warren & Jody Capehart (Christians giving their insights on ADD at home, in school and at church)
Autism
- Article: 10 Possible Scenarios in Ministry to Autistic Kids – and What to Do
- Article: Welcome to Church! Can I take Your Autism?
- Book: Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Barbara J. Newman
Deaf Ministry
- Article: How Can Churches and Other Organizations Be More Accessible to People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?
- Book: A Basic Course in American Sign Language by Tom Humphries
- Book: Religious Signing: A Comprehensive Guide for All Faiths by Dr. Elaine Costello
- Book: Sign Language for Everyone
- Book: Sign Language Made Simple, 2nd Edition by Edgar D. Lawrence
- Book: The Joy of Signing by Lottie L. Riekehof
- Resource: ASL Online Video Dictionary - Religious Section
- Resource: Deaf Missions
- Resource: Deaf Video Communications
Church Special Needs Ministry
Help with Special Needs Ministry
Articles:
- 5 Key Elements to Consider to Make Your Ministry Inclusive
- Five Signs You Should Invest in Special Needs Ministry
- How to Develop Ministry to Kids With Disabilities
- How to Recognize Kids With Learning Disabilities
- Special Needs & Disability Ministry Takes More Than a Program
- Special Needs: How to Ensure You Never Leave a Child Behind
- Why Online Children’s Ministry Is Important for Children with Special Need
Books:
- Are You Ready?: A Personal Guide to Disability Ministry for the Reluctant Leader by Joni and Friends
- Beyond Our Church Walls: Bridging the Gap to Those Affected by Disability by Joni and Friends
- Call Me Friend: Building Compelling Relationships through One-on-One Ministry by Joni and Friends
- Children's Ministry Pocket Guide To Special Needs, 10-Pack: Quick Tips To Reach Every Child by Group Publishing
- Engaging Game Changers: Recruiting and Coaching Volunteers for Disability Ministry by Joni and Friends
- Exceptional Teaching: A Comprehensive Guide for Including Students with Disabilities by Jim Pierson
- Go Make Disciples: Embracing People Affected by Disability Through Mentoring Relationships by Joni and Friends
- Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities by Barbara J. Newman
- Helping with Life Transitions: Engaging Young Adults with Disabilities Into the Life of Your Church by Joni and Friends
- Including People With Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, & Congregations by Erik W. Carter
- Leading a Special Needs Ministry by Amy Fenton Lee
- Let All the Children Come to Me: A Practical Guide to Including Children with Disabilities in Your Church Ministries by MaLesa Breeding
- Pathways to Belonging: Creating Inclusive Ministry Environments for All Ages by Joni and Friends
- Responding with Compassion: Navigating Challenging Behaviors in Special Needs Ministry by Joni and Friends
- Shout for Joy!: Engaging the Whole Church in Accessible Worship by Joni and Friends
- Special Needs Ministry for Children: Creating a Welcoming Place for Families Whose Children Have Special Needs by Pat Verbal
- Special Needs Smart Pages: Advice, Answers, and Articles About Teaching Children with Special Needs - Book with Reproducible Articles & Forms by Joni & Friends
- Start with Hello: Introducing Your Church to Special Needs Ministry by Joni and Friends
- The Special Needs Ministry Handbook: A Church's Guide to Reaching Children with Disabilities and Their Families by Amy Rapada
Training Resources:
- Beyond Suffering Study Guide With CD-ROM: A Christian View on Disability Ministry by Joni Eareckson Tada
- Including Students with Special Challenges Teacher Training by Ministry Tools Resource Center
Families
Articles
Helps for Parents of Individuals with Disabilities or Other Special Needs
- Doing Life Together: Building Community for Families Affected by Disability by Joni and Friends
- Extraordinary Kids: Nurturing and Championing Your Child with Special Needs by Cheri Fuller
- Homeschooling the Challenging Child: A Practical Guide by Christine M. Field
- Real Families, Real Needs: A Compassionate Guide for Families Living with Disability by Joni and Friends Inc.
- We've Got This!: Providing Respite for Families Affected by Disability by Joni and Friends
Helps for Children
- Just the Way You Are by Max Lucado - (teaches general concept of God's unconditional love & acceptance)
- Treasure in an Oatmeal Box: The Story of a Special Boy and the People Who Loved Him by Ken Gire
- Wemmicks Series by Max Lucado (series of books/DVDs that help children learn general concept that their worth isn't based on what they look like or what they can do but on God)
May you reach out and include people with special needs with grace and compassion, not scrutiny or pity. These disability ministry resources can help but true acceptance begins in the heart.