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Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families
200 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
24 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Peoples
4 books36 followersSandra Peoples, MDiv, is a leading voice in the disability community as an encourager to special-needs parents. She has been a member of a special-needs family since the day she was born. Her older sister has Down syndrome, and in 2010 her son James was diagnosed with autism. Sandra is the executive editor for Key Ministry and Not Alone (Patheos), and her writing has been featured by FamilyLife Today, DaySpring, Parenting Teens (LifeWay), and (in)courage. Sandra, her husband, and their two boys live outside of Houston. You can connect with her at www.sandrapeoples.com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 4, 2025
My endorsement: Sandra Peoples has provided a biblically grounded and clinically aware guide to disability ministry. As the dad of a young adult with autism, I was moved by the compassion and intentionality expressed in ‘Accessible Church.’ As a church leader, I’m grateful for a resource that’s practical and scalable for congregations of different sizes and budgets. This will be my go-to recommendation for churches looking to start or mature a ministry to special-needs children, students, adults, and their families.
November 15, 2025
4.5⭐️
Very, very practical but also helpful in providing a Biblical framework for how we as Gods people should view, value, and include those with disabilities and their families into church life. I think this would be such a helpful and important book to read for anyone in ministry or looking to be in ministry.
Very, very practical but also helpful in providing a Biblical framework for how we as Gods people should view, value, and include those with disabilities and their families into church life. I think this would be such a helpful and important book to read for anyone in ministry or looking to be in ministry.
July 20, 2025
[Thank you to @crosswaybooks for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
Did you know that an estimated 1 out of every 5 families has a child with a disability in the United States? Yet, the average church in America’s attendance doesn’t come close to reflecting these statistics.
Accessible Church is an excellent resource aimed at educating people on the theology of disability, answering the question of how/why many disability families are prevented from regular church attendance, and providing practical solutions and applications to make our churches more accessible to everyone.
This book covers many things, including a brief overview of the theology of disability, some disability statistics, program and policy ideas, and other practical advice/information regarding forming or growing a disability ministry in your church.
This book is written to individuals seeking to start, grow, or participate in disability ministry within a church, as well as to those who desire to know more about obstacles that disability families face and effective ways they can come alongside these families.
I was thrilled to see Crossway publish a book on this topic, and I hope that this title will be widely read and its practical applications lived out in our church communities and ministries.
Highly recommend!
Did you know that an estimated 1 out of every 5 families has a child with a disability in the United States? Yet, the average church in America’s attendance doesn’t come close to reflecting these statistics.
Accessible Church is an excellent resource aimed at educating people on the theology of disability, answering the question of how/why many disability families are prevented from regular church attendance, and providing practical solutions and applications to make our churches more accessible to everyone.
This book covers many things, including a brief overview of the theology of disability, some disability statistics, program and policy ideas, and other practical advice/information regarding forming or growing a disability ministry in your church.
This book is written to individuals seeking to start, grow, or participate in disability ministry within a church, as well as to those who desire to know more about obstacles that disability families face and effective ways they can come alongside these families.
I was thrilled to see Crossway publish a book on this topic, and I hope that this title will be widely read and its practical applications lived out in our church communities and ministries.
Highly recommend!
August 16, 2025
As a mom to a daughter with special needs and someone who is forging disability ministry at our church, I found this book practical and encouraging. I was brought to tears several times as God’s heart for the disabled and their families was revealed. Sandra Peoples does a great job laying out the theology of disability, and then offering practical ways for the church to move in close to these special members of the Body and their families. I know I will refer to this resource often!
July 24, 2025
Sandra Peoples has the experience and knowledge that makes this book such a helpful resource. She doesn’t just give you the why she also gives you the how. Special needs families and people with disabilities need the gospel too and like she says over and over “the goal is the gospel.” A much needed resource for churches of all sizes.
May 15, 2025
With "Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and their Families," disability ministry consultant and professor Sandra Peoples expands on her long history of equipping large and small churches to reach children and teens with various cognitive disabilities with this easy to understand (dare I say accessible?) and practical guide toward creating safer and more healing churches for the one in five households including a child with a disability.
It's an important conversation. While many ministry leaders may long to help, there's an incredible lack of knowledge along with a perceived lack of space, budget, and appropriately trained volunteers. It can be intimidating, however, Peoples aptly plants a vision for including people with disabilities and their families.
It is important to start off any reading of "Accessible Church" with an understanding of what it is and what it is not. It is a very practical guide that specifically targets families and ministry with children with a disability. It is a book that focuses most of its literary energy on children with cognitive and developmental disabilities (autism spectrum, ADHD, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, etc.).
It is not a book targeting, for the most part, adults with disabilities. It is not a book that spends much energy on the many other areas of disabilities including mobility barriers. Peoples spends most of her time focusing on how these children and families can be served - not, necessarily, how they can be enfolded into the serving life of the congregation.
"Accessible Church" includes a foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada, a ringing endorsement for sure. It's also an endorsement that likely tells you that "Accessible Church" is Gospel-centered, evangelical in approach, and written from the perspective of an expert and caregiver with relatively little voice given to those with disabilities.
As a person with significant disabilities myself (spina bifida, double amputee, hydrocephalus, and two-time cancer survivor) who is a seminary graduate and active in ministry, I both appreciated "Accessible Church" and longed for it to be more. Peoples incorporates creative ways that churches can adapt style, physical settings, safety policies, and more to accommodate families with disabilities whether that church has an active "special needs" (a term I despise) ministry or not.
"Accessible Church" is a valuable resource for pastors, children's ministry participants, disability ministry leaders and volunteers, and families of children with disabilities. It offers practical advice and encourages openness and discussions. Refreshingly, it addresses the often-delivered message that disabled children are somehow less (or need to be changed) and it also addresses the often-delivered message that disabilities result from sin and/or a lack of healing equates to a lack of faith (poor theology).
I will confess I expected a more expansive book that enfolded adults with disabilities and recognized disabilities beyond cognitive and developmental disabilities, though in the contemporary church it seems as if a good majority of disability ministries focus in these areas and often disregard those with physical disabilities. I also hoped that Peoples might push toward greater inclusion of those with disabilities rather than simply as the recipients of service and ministry. While I can be bothered by these things, these things simply weren't the focus of this book and that's okay.
While "Accessible Church" may not have been everything I wanted it to be, what it is is important toward building a Gospel-centered vision for including people with disabilities and their families into the life of what it means to be church family. As Peoples points out time and time again, such a church is truly a Gospel-centered church following the teachings of Jesus in a more complete way.
It's an important conversation. While many ministry leaders may long to help, there's an incredible lack of knowledge along with a perceived lack of space, budget, and appropriately trained volunteers. It can be intimidating, however, Peoples aptly plants a vision for including people with disabilities and their families.
It is important to start off any reading of "Accessible Church" with an understanding of what it is and what it is not. It is a very practical guide that specifically targets families and ministry with children with a disability. It is a book that focuses most of its literary energy on children with cognitive and developmental disabilities (autism spectrum, ADHD, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, etc.).
It is not a book targeting, for the most part, adults with disabilities. It is not a book that spends much energy on the many other areas of disabilities including mobility barriers. Peoples spends most of her time focusing on how these children and families can be served - not, necessarily, how they can be enfolded into the serving life of the congregation.
"Accessible Church" includes a foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada, a ringing endorsement for sure. It's also an endorsement that likely tells you that "Accessible Church" is Gospel-centered, evangelical in approach, and written from the perspective of an expert and caregiver with relatively little voice given to those with disabilities.
As a person with significant disabilities myself (spina bifida, double amputee, hydrocephalus, and two-time cancer survivor) who is a seminary graduate and active in ministry, I both appreciated "Accessible Church" and longed for it to be more. Peoples incorporates creative ways that churches can adapt style, physical settings, safety policies, and more to accommodate families with disabilities whether that church has an active "special needs" (a term I despise) ministry or not.
"Accessible Church" is a valuable resource for pastors, children's ministry participants, disability ministry leaders and volunteers, and families of children with disabilities. It offers practical advice and encourages openness and discussions. Refreshingly, it addresses the often-delivered message that disabled children are somehow less (or need to be changed) and it also addresses the often-delivered message that disabilities result from sin and/or a lack of healing equates to a lack of faith (poor theology).
I will confess I expected a more expansive book that enfolded adults with disabilities and recognized disabilities beyond cognitive and developmental disabilities, though in the contemporary church it seems as if a good majority of disability ministries focus in these areas and often disregard those with physical disabilities. I also hoped that Peoples might push toward greater inclusion of those with disabilities rather than simply as the recipients of service and ministry. While I can be bothered by these things, these things simply weren't the focus of this book and that's okay.
While "Accessible Church" may not have been everything I wanted it to be, what it is is important toward building a Gospel-centered vision for including people with disabilities and their families into the life of what it means to be church family. As Peoples points out time and time again, such a church is truly a Gospel-centered church following the teachings of Jesus in a more complete way.
September 8, 2025
The most comprehensive, visionary, and practical book I’ve read on how to make your church an inclusive place for families with disabilities. If your church wants to bring the hope and good news of Jesus to your community, you are excluding 20% of people if you have not thought through ways to include disabled people. I’m so thankful I found this on our church book shelf as we are trying to learn what this looks like for our church. I hope more people at @christcommcu and other churches read it!
October 24, 2025
This book lays a beautiful foundation for the theology of disability without getting into some of the controversial weeds, and then spends the rest of the time creating a deeply practical and implementable guide for how to make your church more accessible in big and small ways. I wish every pastor and church planter would read this. It’s renewed my passion for disability ministry and made me thankful for my current school based experience that will be an asset when I (Lord willing) eventually step into ministry.
July 25, 2025
Good book. We have a disability ministry and this book is a great start for the discussion. Lots of great ideas and lots of good work to be done here. Recommended
October 16, 2025
This book comes from the author's personal expertise with disability ministry, based on her work at church and her experience with disabled family members. Sandra Peoples explains reasons why many families with disabled children do not attend church, and shows ways that churches are frequently unprepared to receive or support these people. She casts a biblical vision for why disability ministry is important to God, and she then she shares insights and practical tips for how churches can minister to families affected by disability.
Peoples shares tips for making a church's regular classrooms and programs more inclusive, and she also shares ideas for how to create alternate programs for people who have severe disabilities and require additional care, beyond what someone can offer when they are leading a whole classroom. This book also includes advice for how to support parents of disabled children and create community around them.
The book largely focuses on children's ministry, with one chapter addressing ministry to teens and adults with disabilities. I think this book would have been even better if it had included more details and ideas for ministering to disabled adults, and even though the author makes a few references to including disabled people in the church's service instead of just seeing them as people to minister to, I would have appreciated more examples and details about what this looks like in practice. Still, I understand that the author couldn't cover everything and had to limit this book's scope.
Another limitation is that this book primarily focuses on people with cognitive and behavioral disabilities, and there's not much here about people with physical limitations. Although some physical disabilities are easier for people to understand, that doesn't mean that churches will know how to accommodate these needs, especially since some physical issues are invisible. Physical disabilities can range from someone needing a wheelchair ramp to a person who gets a debilitating migraine from church lady perfume. I wish that this book had addressed physical issues in addition to focusing on neurological and cognitive struggles.
Overall, this book is excellent. I highly recommend it to church leaders and disability advocates within churches, and people who enjoyed this can also check out the author's website related to the book, which shares even more information and resources. Even though I felt that this book fell short in some ways, what it offers is important and much-needed, and I hope that it helps open the door for similar books that focus on different sub-topics in the future.
I received a copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Peoples shares tips for making a church's regular classrooms and programs more inclusive, and she also shares ideas for how to create alternate programs for people who have severe disabilities and require additional care, beyond what someone can offer when they are leading a whole classroom. This book also includes advice for how to support parents of disabled children and create community around them.
The book largely focuses on children's ministry, with one chapter addressing ministry to teens and adults with disabilities. I think this book would have been even better if it had included more details and ideas for ministering to disabled adults, and even though the author makes a few references to including disabled people in the church's service instead of just seeing them as people to minister to, I would have appreciated more examples and details about what this looks like in practice. Still, I understand that the author couldn't cover everything and had to limit this book's scope.
Another limitation is that this book primarily focuses on people with cognitive and behavioral disabilities, and there's not much here about people with physical limitations. Although some physical disabilities are easier for people to understand, that doesn't mean that churches will know how to accommodate these needs, especially since some physical issues are invisible. Physical disabilities can range from someone needing a wheelchair ramp to a person who gets a debilitating migraine from church lady perfume. I wish that this book had addressed physical issues in addition to focusing on neurological and cognitive struggles.
Overall, this book is excellent. I highly recommend it to church leaders and disability advocates within churches, and people who enjoyed this can also check out the author's website related to the book, which shares even more information and resources. Even though I felt that this book fell short in some ways, what it offers is important and much-needed, and I hope that it helps open the door for similar books that focus on different sub-topics in the future.
I received a copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 16, 2025
✨4.5✨
As a parent to a child with autism and as a family involved in ministry in our local church, this book was a refreshing and helpful read in thinking through ways to help our church become accessible to those with disabilities. We live in a time where disabilities of all kinds are very real and very close to home with many who enter the doors of churches across the world. But often, those people do not feel welcome or at ease and the church is often left scrambling or unable to show the care those families need because they are not equipped or aware of what to do. This book is an excellent guide to help the church be prepared for a variety of scenarios for churches of all sizes to be able to support those with disabilities and their families.
As a side note: reading this from the perspective of a parent to a young son with autism brought many emotions to the forefront. There were moments that I cried through the book because I felt seen as a parent, but also because it gave me hope that perhaps the future of the church will be a more inviting and open place for those that need to hear the gospel too in a way they can understand.
As a parent to a child with autism and as a family involved in ministry in our local church, this book was a refreshing and helpful read in thinking through ways to help our church become accessible to those with disabilities. We live in a time where disabilities of all kinds are very real and very close to home with many who enter the doors of churches across the world. But often, those people do not feel welcome or at ease and the church is often left scrambling or unable to show the care those families need because they are not equipped or aware of what to do. This book is an excellent guide to help the church be prepared for a variety of scenarios for churches of all sizes to be able to support those with disabilities and their families.
As a side note: reading this from the perspective of a parent to a young son with autism brought many emotions to the forefront. There were moments that I cried through the book because I felt seen as a parent, but also because it gave me hope that perhaps the future of the church will be a more inviting and open place for those that need to hear the gospel too in a way they can understand.
July 3, 2025
If your church does not include people who have disabilities, then it's not just your building you need to look at, it's your theology, your view of who God is, and who He loves and chooses.
And even when churches realize they need to include people with disabilities, the main reason they struggle is because they don’t know where to start. In her new book, available tomorrow, Sandra Wood Peoples fixes that! She leads readers by the hand through the journey, providing a solid theological foundation (and destination), and then gently and practically pointing out the realities and blessings afforded by offering belonging for people with disabilities!
And even when churches realize they need to include people with disabilities, the main reason they struggle is because they don’t know where to start. In her new book, available tomorrow, Sandra Wood Peoples fixes that! She leads readers by the hand through the journey, providing a solid theological foundation (and destination), and then gently and practically pointing out the realities and blessings afforded by offering belonging for people with disabilities!
December 14, 2025
Really good (although short) resource and launching pad for church and ministry leaders, or anyone looking to develop their theology of disability. The church has a long way to go in the area of accessibility, hospitality and inclusion, but progress is being made! I have no doubt this book will empower leaders to do ministry for, with and alongside people with disabilities.
I would say, the theology and doctrinal component of disability is underdeveloped (and I didn't always buy into it), but the focus of this book is more practically focused than philosophically focused.
I would say, the theology and doctrinal component of disability is underdeveloped (and I didn't always buy into it), but the focus of this book is more practically focused than philosophically focused.
September 17, 2025
A beautifully written book that directs our gaze to the special-needs families in and around our community—reminding us that they and their circumstances are God’s plan A. It offers practical frameworks and suggestions for starting the ministry. As I read, my heart was continually inspired, imagining the glimpse of Heaven that could be brought to Earth when these things are lived out in our church community. ❤️
November 19, 2025
While there are some theological stances I don’t agree with, this author gives good practical advice. Her focus is primarily on children’s ministry and on autism, so there isn’t much information on adults or physical disabilities. She also merely scratches the surface of ableism and disability justice (so her focus is on inclusion, but falls short of tackling injustices in the church). Overall, a helpful perspective.
May 23, 2025
THE book I’ve been waiting for! Have you ever asked yourself “Where do we start? How can get others to help, see the value in a disability ministry?” Sandra Peoples answers all that and more in her newest book! Her advice, examples and step-by-step plans leave you feeling inspired and feeling equipped to step into action. Anyone with a heart for those with special needs, this is a must read!!
August 5, 2025
I loved this book. As a mom of an autistic child, this is beautiful. The author does a great job giving examples and ideas that can be adapted by churches of any size. You don’t have to have a huge church to minister to disabled people and their families.
I loved this book. I will be sharing it with others.
I loved this book. I will be sharing it with others.
September 4, 2025
If I could get this in every pastor's and every children's minister's hands, I would. The book itself is an excellent resource, and then the website that goes with the book has SO MUCH MORE good stuff.
August 22, 2025
Peoples casts a vision for the local church as a place for all people.
October 9, 2025
Well written with many ideas on how to get started and what plans to have in place.
October 18, 2025
Thinking of starting a Disability Ministry or have one this is the book. Many of her suggestions are ones I wished and prayed for in Churches I attended.
December 2, 2025
a practical guide for any Christian or church leader who desires to grow their church in a multitude of areas.
December 19, 2025
Excellent book! A must read for all Ministry Leaders.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews