Abstract of Project Funded for FY 2000


Link to Gallaudet Research Institute Link to GRI Priority Research Fund
Acceptance and Accommodation of Students with Disabilities by Seminaries of the United Church of Christ

Laura-Jean Gilbert, Administration and Supervision

People with disabilities have historically been seen as unfit to become leaders of religious communities. Therefore, there were also not accepted as students by seminaries or theological school. In general, one cannot become a member of the "clergy" - that is, a minister, a priest, or rabbi - unless one obtains both a theological education (and for most religious groups, a theological education from an accredited theological seminary), and professional credentials from an authorizing body (ordination).

The purpose of this study is to investigate the degree to which seminaries today accept and accommodate qualified students who have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This study will limit itself to an examination of 14 theological school that are directly or historically related to the United Church of Christ (UCC). It will discuss this issue from the parallel historical perspective of the UCC's acceptance and accommodation of women in the ministry.

The UCC has a history of openness to the education and ordination of diverse individuals for the ministry - minorities, women, and, today, persons who are gay and lesbian. It has issued a statement calling for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities: "The Body of Christ is broken when one person is excluded. We are called to Jesus' ministry to reconciliation, proclaiming the good news to ALL, building the body of Christ, using the gifts of ALL" (UCC National Committee on Persons with Disabilities, undated brochure). Because the student bodies of these UCC directly related and affiliated seminaries comprise individuals who are not only UCC in affiliation, but representatives of many faith communities, the practices of these seminaries have implications beyond the UCC. The results of this study can be generalized to the 229 member seminaries of the Association of Theological School and, by extension, to other graduate level specialized professional programs.