Choosing Curriculum for Your Disability Ministry

Church, Disability Ministry, For Churches

Choosing the best curriculum for your disability ministry depends on many factors! Here are questions to consider as you decide, plus curriculum options to explore.

What ministry models does your church include, and what are the needs of the participants?

  • What is our inclusion model: a self-contained specialized class, buddies in typical classes, or a mix? Does the curriculum fit that model?
  • Do we want families with siblings in other classes to be able to talk about the same Bible story at home?
  • What range of ages and developmental levels will one lesson need to serve? Can the material scale up and down within the same lesson?
  • Do we have teens or adults? Are the materials age-appropriate?

Does the content align with our theological beliefs?

  • Does it align with our church’s doctrinal statement and teach the gospel clearly?
  • Does it treat participants as disciples who can know, worship, and serve God?
  • Is it published by a source we’re familiar with?
  • Who on the church staff would need to review and approve the choice?

What’s the structure of the lessons, and does it meet the needs of our teachers?

  • Does each lesson follow a predictable routine students can learn over time?
  • How much repetition is built in, both within a lesson and across weeks?
  • Are visual supports, schedules, and multisensory activities included, or will we have to make them?
  • Who will teach: trained staff, a consistent team, or a rotating volunteer schedule?
  • Does the curriculum include teacher guidance on behavior support, communication, and adapting activities?
  • What training will volunteers need before they can use it well?

Practical considerations:

  • Who is prepping the lessons and gathering material for activities?
  • What is the budget, including licensing, supplies, and printing?
  • Is it digital, print, or both? Do we have the tech in the room?
  • How long is the scope and sequence, and can it be repeated in later years?
  • Can we sample a unit before committing?

A list of options for you to check out:

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